I left early in the day and headed out to see the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was about an hour and a half drive west of Salt Lake City. I figured that I would head out there, drive out onto the flats and then head home. It turns out I spent over three and a half hours there. It was fascinating! I stayed very entertained.
On my way out to the Salt Flats and stopped at the Tree of Utah. The Tree of Utah is an 87 foot tall, mostly concrete structure built along route 80 in the Great Salt Lake Desert. It was constructed by Karl Momen, a Swedish artist, and dedicated in 1986. It is said he had the inspiration for the structure after having a vision of a tree while driving across the Bonneville Salt Flats.
It’s tough to miss the tree as it arrises in the distance as you approach driving down route 80. It’s just sitting there in the middle of nowhere. There is no parking area, one just pulls over to the side of the road. It is bizarre.
“A hymn to our universe, whose glory and dimension is beyond all myth and imagination”
– Karl Momen
Looking out at me parked on route 80
A few miles further down the road is a rest area. I have learned in my travels that sometimes rest areas are more than just a rest area. They often have historic relevance or fun things to see and learn. Luckily I decided to stop at this one as it was the entrance to the Bonneville Salt Flats. There were no signs stating this on the highway, you just need to know. If you pass it, it will be close to a half hour to make the loop back around. There is no entrance on the eastbound side of the highway.
Experience driving onto the Flats and U-turning back towards the highway.
Then I wanted to see how far across I’d get if I drove a mile out onto the Flats….
I definitely enjoyed myself while hanging out on the Flats. As barren as it is, I found it to be a great place to take some fun pictures. I also played my guitar for a little while and was able to get internet through my phone hotspot!
This is what it looks like if you panorama shot as a car drives by. There was a continuous flow of cars flying by.
