Emigration Canyon Monument - Mormon Pioneers

This is the canyon that ended the trek. In late July 1847, the first Latter-day Saint companies threaded down Emigration Canyon's narrow bends and out into the Salt Lake Valley, the last hard miles of a journey that had run more than a thousand. The Sons of Utah Pioneers placed this monument in 2012 to mark the route. It's paired with a companion monument acknowledging the Native people who were already here — a two-part telling that lets the canyon hold both the arrival and the displacement that arrival set in motion.

What the plaque says

Donner-Reed Party "There are mental struggles which so absorb the being and soul that physical terror or tortures are unnoticed." - CF McGlashan 1879 There are 27 canyons on the Eastern Bench of the Salt Lake Valley, only two of which have an entrance and exit: Emigration Canyon and Parley's Canyon to the south. For this reason, the Donner-Reed party made its way down this canyon. Eighty-seven men, women, children and 23 covered wagons were encouraged by the advice of Lansford W. Hastings and his suggestion of a shortcut westward to California of almost 400 miles. Spending three weeks cutting a road to East Canyon, over Big Mountain and Little Mountain, the group arrived at this spot on August 22, 1846. From here, they set out for the mountains of Sierra Nevada not reaching them until November. High in the mountains, they became trapped by early, heavy snowfall, and their food supplies ran low. Stranded until help arrived in February 1847, some emigrants resorted to cannibalism to survive, eating those who had succumbed to starvation and sickness. Only 48 survived to reach California. It was one of the most spectacular tragedies in western migration. Mormon Pioneers The Spirit of Gathering Called Us Here Having been persecuted for their beliefs and driven from their homes in many states, the Mormon pioneers gathered in Winter Quarters, Nebraska. On April 16, 1847, thus began the "Mormon Migration" as their leader Brigham Young and a party of 148 headed westward to the Rocky Mountains. It was necessary to find an isolated area where they could permanently settle and practice their religion in peace. The movement of an entire people, religion, and culture ensued. This canyon played a pivotal part in the completion of the journey. Arriving July 21st, 1847 a small group of men explored this canyon passing this very place, where they entered the valley and planted the first crops. In the days following, others arrived, having survived the treacherous and slow descent through this canyon. About noon on the 24th of July, 1847, Brigham Young and the last section of the party entered the valley. During the subsequent twenty-two years of the exodus, 60,000 saints would enter this valley. The length of the journey equaled the distance from Liverpool, England to the Salt Lake Valley at almost 7828 miles.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• This Is The Place Heritage Park — 0.2 mi
  A living history village at the mouth of Emigration Canyon
• Natural History Museum of Utah — 1.1 mi
  A world-class museum built into the foothills above Salt Lake City
• Red Butte Garden — 1.4 mi
  A 100-acre botanical garden with panoramic valley views
• Emigration Canyon — 1.7 mi
  The final stretch of trail the Mormon pioneers took into the valley

More markers nearby

• Emigration Canyon Monument - Native People — steps away
• Emigration Canyon Railroad — steps away
• This is the Place Restored Monument — 0.3 mi
• Mary Fielding Smith House — 0.3 mi