Wasatch Range

The Wasatch Range is a mountain chain in northern Utah that extends roughly 160 miles from Idaho's border toward central areas, with summits exceeding 11,000 feet in elevation. Its eastern side overlooks Salt Lake City, and the entire region contains multiple passes, valleys, and heavily forested slopes.

Formation of this range began 12 to 17 million years ago through geological forces that created the sharp ridgelines defining northern Utah's terrain. These processes produced the distinctive landscape that shapes the region's geography today.

The range shaped Mormon settlement patterns starting in 1847, with mountain streams channeled for irrigation that sustained farming communities. These water sources guided where people built their homes and how they used the surrounding land.

The area hosts multiple ski resorts like Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley, receiving over 500 inches of annual snowfall. Visitors should prepare for cold winters and bring appropriate gear suitable for the elevation.

Seven major canyons cut through the mountains, with Little Cottonwood Canyon extending roughly 15 miles into the range. This particular canyon holds two well-known ski destinations that draw winter sport enthusiasts from across the region.