Each time I return from my hot and humid country of the Philippines, I bring souvenirs with me, in the form of coughing, a lost voice and jet lag. Thankfully, Brigham City had just what was needed to mend my ailing body. Wildflowers, birds and a historic site thrown in the mix were just what the doctor ordered for a quick recovery!
I knew exactly what I wanted to do when we arrived here. There was a wild bird refuge nearby, and the Wellsville Mountains had trails waiting to be hiked. Golden Spike National Monument was only a few miles away, and we were hoping to check out Antelope Island. Unfortunately, we were told the mosquitoes were in full force on the island so we canceled that visit.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
At the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, I was hoping to see a few Tundra Swans, as they are known to pass through here on their journey north.
This refuge has had a disastrous past. First, it almost died due to irrigation diversion in the 1920’s, then it was hit with an avian botulism outbreak causing the death of 1-2 million birds. Finally, in 1983 it was devastated again due to the Great Salt Lake flood that inundated the wetlands with salt water and decimated the refuge structures. When the lake levels receded six years later the refuge was rebuilt and the vibrant ecosystem eventually came back to life. And as many other cities do, Brigham City claimed it to be the best birding destination anywhere.
In the morning we drove to the refuge and followed the auto tour through the 74,000 acres of pristine wetlands and marshes of the Bear River Delta. The Tundra Swans were long gone, but a few locals were hanging out enjoying their breakfast in the swamp:
Golden Spike National Monument
After gawking at the birds and breathing some fresh air we drove west to Promontory Summit, Utah. This is the site where the last spike was driven to join the transcontinental railroad that connected the western states to the rest of the nation on May 10, 1869.
We made it to Golden Spike National Monument just in time to see a re-enactment of the original ceremony, which completed the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. This historic event linked America’s first transcontinental railroad, and ultimately opened the western frontier to settlement. Steve and I had both learned about this event long ago, but it was very cool to actually be at the site where it happened.
While there, we drove the East Auto Tour route, stopping for lunch at Chinese Arch which was named to honor thousands of Chinese workers brought in to accomplish Central Pacific’s portion of the railroad. Those 10,000 Chinese workers faced tremendous obstacles as they tunneled through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Along with Irish work crews, they were famously known for accomplishing a feat that would never be duplicated, including laying ten miles of track across the Utah desert in a 12-hour period.
Back to hitting the trails!
Brigham City is near the northernmost point of the Wasatch Front, and the steep Wellsville Mountains branch off of it. The tourism office touted these mountains as the steepest range in the world. Why? What makes the Wellsville Range special is that it’s only five miles wide at the base and rises almost straight from the valley floor, which is at about 4,500′ in elevation. When we looked closely we noticed that indeed there were no foothills leading up to these mountains!
We’re not sure if it’s really the steepest range in the world, but it did offer several moderate and strenuous trails, and we followed one of each to get my legs back into hiking mode. And I was smiling ear-to-ear when we arrived at the trailhead for our first hike, which was carpeted with yellow wildflowers!
On another day we followed the Deep Canyon Trail, which eventually leads to Box Elder Summit at 9,372′. I hiked most of it, but my lingering cough caused me to stop when Steve announced he just had to reach a nearby fog-covered summit.
As Steve headed off, I got busy with my camera as colorful spring wildflowers begged for my attention. With the whole mountainside to myself accompanied by chirping birds, I was in solitary bliss.
Steve returned with a smile after about an hour and said, “I’m going to feel this tomorrow!” (and he did).
This was a perfect stop for me to mend from my long trip. What more can I ask for – an unforgettable display of wildflowers, singing birds and hiking are the stuff that gets me going!
And with that, we said goodbye to Utah!
Lowes Travels 
Always look forward to your photos (superb!) and stories 🙂 I was in that area last summer and you are correct about the wall of mountains, no foothills. It’s a gorgeous area.
I know, it took us a while to comprehend the description then view the actual mountain. Now as we traveled I pay attention to the shape of the mountain ranges 🙂
Looks like the perfect excursion to end your time in Utah. Birds and wildflowers … perfect!
Yes, was so glad, two of my camera favorite models were there to help me recover.
Sure was a great location for someone who was feeling a little under the weather. Hopefully, you are back to 100%:) Lucky you seeing that adorable owl. The wildflowers are beautiful. I so enjoy when the floor is carpeted in all that brilliant yellow. I’m sure your hour wait flew by as you photographed all the little wildflowers. I know Steve is a train enthusiast so I’m sure he was grinning from ear to ear during your Golden Spike stop.
I even forgot to mention about Steve being a train enthusiast! You know birds and flowers are my favorite photo models.
Growing up in Utah I really miss the beautiful mountains and canyons there. I love your wildflower and bird photos. I’m glad you are feeling better now.
I did not know you were from Utah, Marcy!
I was born in Provo and lived there until I was 16. We moved to Southern California. I was never interested in becoming a Mormon.
I think you were wise to let Steve go off to conquer the summit by himself! It’s so good to see you back in the world you love so. You’ve seen some beautiful places since you’ve been home, the interesting Wellsville Mountains, fields of wildflowers and birds galore. Your heart must be singing! The pheasant photo is beautiful! We saw one yesterday, not far from the cottage. It’s the first one we’ve seen in many years and when we first moved to the area there were literally hundreds in the fields across from the farm!
Thanks, my cough at that time was hindering me but was glad did not go with him. It was a tough hike. Show me birds and flowers and I am in heaven. Steve too said there were a lot of Pheasant in their property but seem to have disappeared.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful area! The one time we went to Antelope Island it was winter, with several feet of snow on the ground – no mosquitoes 🙂 but the bison in the snow were impressive. Were you able to id the bird with the rusty cap? I did a little searching and couldn’t find it.
Oh you meant, the Green-tailed towhee, sorry I forgot to id him.
Wow. We’ve been gasping for air at similar elevations and we’re not battling a cold. You’re making us look bad, Mona Liza! Interesting to hear about the trials that wildlife refuge has been through and nice to know it’s doing well again. The trails you found are just beautiful – especially with all the wildflowers. They are growing here in Colorado too and it’s a sight to see! Glad you’re feeling better!
Ha, ha you are just too funny. I can’t wait for your wildflower photos from CO!
Your photography is just so great! I really enjoy your blog!!!!
Thank you Mary, and glad you are enjoying and there’s more to come from the state of Idaho.
I love all of the wildflowers you photographed on the trails! And how cool that you saw a Short-eared Owl. We saw one a few days ago in Cody at the Museum of Natural History—she was injured and is now a wildlife ambassador. She was beautiful!
I hope you’re feeling much better now. Nature is the best healer, as you know. 🙂
We spotted that owl on our way home when we saw another car pointing a camera at it. And I was glad it did not move when we got near.
I enjoy your vibrant photos and newsy, yet succinct,writing style! Hoping you are feeling better now and I look forward to seeing Idaho through your eyes! 🙂
Thank you for noticing my photos and for stopping by. So far we are enjoying our Idaho visit.
What an awesome stop MonaLiza. So happy you found the perfect place to recoup! Beautiful (as always) photos. You know I love the flowers and birds!
Oh yes, flowers and bird are two of my fave things too. This time they helped me mend.
Great photo! I think my favorite is the Avocet, there is just something about those birds I find fascinating!
Thank you. And by far, that was the closest I got to take a photo of them snacking. Most of the time they are way out there.
We are going to have to stop on our next time through to see the Golden Spike. That’s really neat!
I think you would like it, lots of railroad history and to be where it happened, so cool!
We drove through Brigham City yesterday on our way to JB Hill for our two-week stay. We’ll probably just visit old haunts on this trip, but I added the hikes in case we make it back up that way before we leave.
If you do, I hoped the wildflowers are still at its peak.
Welcome to my neck of the woods. Isn’t this an amazing state?
What great photography as usual Mona Liza. Fabulous background for the pelican and picture of the American Avocet and other birds. I always wonder how much trouble that bill really must be. Love you standing over the spike. The colors in your pictures are so vivid. That black smoke that must have filled the skies is striking in that terrific picture. Can’t imagine breathing that in. What a lovely hike that must have been with all the wildflowers. The picture of Steve among them with the snow capped peaks in the background is wonderful. Such lovely photographs of the wildflowers. You sure are in the right place at the right time.
The wildflowers soothed me and at least they dont complained when I cough. Thank you, when the light is good my pictures come out really good especially at the reenactment for the trains and the reenactors were all colorful.
What a perfect ending to your time in Utah. Your photographs, as usual, are stunning MonaLiza. Hope you are now feeling fine, ready to tackle any trail.
Thank You, Luann I am back to my normal well being :)Being out in the sun helps mend my jetlag and cough.