Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

January 2015

Bonneville Salt Flats has been on my bucket list for a while now.  I heard it was a really amazing landscape and while there wasnt much to actually "do" there, it was a sight worth seeing.  I did a little research before heading out there and discovered:

• It is about 1.5 hours west of Salt Lake City, right by the Utah/Nevada border

• The Salt Flats were formed when ancient lake Lake Bonneville dried up.  It eventually shrank below its outlet and so its water became salty. As water continued to evaporate, salt deposits were left in many areas (the Great Salt Lake is a remnant of Lake Bonneville) Utah.com

• The salt flats are about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide with total area coverage of just over 46 square miles. Near the center of the salt, the crust is almost 5 feet thick in places, with the depth tapering off to less than 1 inch as you get to the edges. Total salt crust volume has been estimated at 147 million tons or 99 million cubic yards of salt! The Bonneville Salt Flats are comprised of approximately 90% common table salt BLM.gov.

• It is realllly hot in the summer (no shade Utah)

• It is an international famous speedway where many world records are set, competitions held, and movies filmed. 

• It is covered in water in the winter (learned this when I arrived) so the racing is only in the spring summer and fall (also learned this when I arrived-oops).

• The road is built back up in the spring to support the racing community

• There are two spots to view the salt flats- probably the best being the rest area right off I-80 W, and the second being off exit four where the races are held.

Olive joined us for the drive out to the Salt Flats 

The scenic drive out to the flats along I-80W was probably the best part of the trip.

A lot of salt processing facilities along the flats- Good ole' Morton salt company was spotted! Popular table salt company. 

Viewing area off exit 4

Viewing area from the I-80 W rest stop

One of my favorite pictures from the weekend.  
Slightly edited to enhance the features of the mountain and colors :) 

Viewing area off exit 4.  

Salt crust/where the road is built 

A thick salt crust at the speedway.

We couldn't head all the way west without dipping into Nevada.  
Because how fun is it to say you stopped in Nevada over the weekend?
I was not prepared for what I was about to see. 

The instant you cross over into Nevada, you find this little town called Wendover, and you are greeted by "Wendover Will".  It is basically a small town dedicated to small cheap casinos, a liquor store, gas stations, and fast food chains. 

Good Ole Nevada.

Again, the drive back to Salt Lake City was gorgeous and the mountains were a stunning backdrop for the hour and a half back to the city. 

If you are in the area, or on a trip west on I-80 W, make sure you stop at the salt flats and take in the beauty of this unique lanscape.  And swing by Salt Lake City for a visit ;)