#14: [19-Jun-22]

#12: [01-Oct-16]

#10: [11-Feb-12]

#11: [07-Feb-12]

#7: [15-Nov-03]

#13: [26-Jul-21] (incomplete)

#9: [03-Mar-11] (incomplete)

#8: [12-Nov-05] (incomplete)

#6: [09-Oct-03] (incomplete)

#5: [04-Apr-02] (incomplete)

#2: [21-Mar-01] (incomplete)

#1: [01-Oct-98] (incomplete)

01-Sep-2001 -- Deb and I were in Ogden, Utah for business and a little R&R. This was an opportunity to hunt a confluence that hadn’t been conquered yet. Unfortunately all the maps I'd seen indicated the location is in the Great Salt Lake.

I had scouted the confluence at lunch yesterday and found an approach from the east. But the target appeared to be over 2 miles from the nearest roadway. I could see a line of tall grass and cattails running the length of the shoreline. I feared we might have to cross a marsh; I was right.

On Saturday we loaded up with water, tennis shoes, camera, GPS, and no hats. It seemed to be a pleasant enough day to not have to worry about the sun. We would later regret not bringing “all” the proper equipment.

From Ogden it was only a 10-20 minute car ride to the general area off of Hwy 15 and the Layton exit south of Ogden. We found a location that required crossing a barbed wire fence or two. There were a couple of houses in the area so we stopped at the nearest one and asked the gentlemen if he was the owner. The gentlemen working his yard replied negatively but said he didn’t think the owner would mind crossing his property to get to the lake.

We headed west across a field probably used for feeding cattle. After roughly a quarter-mile we hit the marsh. We picked our way through it trying to stay out of the mud as much as possible, and stay on a westerly course. The smell was very strong – not a pleasant smell either.

It was probably only a few hundred feet wide – but it seemed like a kilometer. It was slow going as the mud kept trying to pull our shoes off. But finally we were through it and on dried-out lake bottom.

The sun reflected off of it nicely as the sand was rather white. We had to cross about a mile of open ground to get to the confluence. It felt as if we were walking in a desert with mirages. An old tire in the distance appeared to be as tall as a man.

Since we had worked rather hard at getting here I took the time to do the confluence dance, and zero-up the GPS display. We took the obligatory pictures and a rest. Utah has some stunning vistas – but this was not one of them – it was a flat, featureless desert with mountains in the distance – and we knew we would have to, again, cross the marsh.

On the salt marshes of the Great Salt Lake's Farmington Bay. The terrain may be temporarily flooded.

On my map, the roads to the west of Kaysville are a little confusing. The basic landmark destination is the intersection of E 750 St S and Holmes Creek. The confluence is 1.78 miles (9384 feet) southwest (approximately) of this point. The actual heading is 227 degrees (true bearing).

Going south on SR 243/South Main St. in the center of Kaysville, bear right onto S 50 W (one block south of Center Street). Go 1.42 miles south until you come to Burton Lane (with I-15 directly to your right). Turn right onto S Burton Lane. Cross over or under I-15 and then a set of railroad tracks. Go 0.22 miles and cross another set of railroad tracks. Go 0.4 miles to the intersection with Sunset Drive. Turn left and go 0.3 miles; bear right onto an unnamed road! Go 1.14 miles on this road and intersect with E 750 St. S. Last road. Turn right and go 2.15 miles to Holmes Creek, your landmark destination as mentioned above.