Little Mountain Summit

After Big Mountain gave the pioneers their first sight of the valley, one ridge still stood in the way. From Mountain Dell the trail climbed again over Little Mountain — the last summit, a short but punishing pull that broke wagons and tempers within sight of the end. Over its top the road tipped down at last into Emigration Canyon and the valley beyond. Highway 65 crosses the pass now, and drivers top it in seconds where the ox teams needed hours and every hand on the ropes.

What the plaque says

Little Mountain Summit This is the last summit in the Wasatch Mountains along the pioneer trail. From this point the trail descends northwest until it reaches Emigration Creek. As William Clayton's emigrants guide warns, "The descent is very steep all the way." The Donner Party passed over the summit August 21, 1846 and the Mormons on July 21, 1847. Site No. 187 Salt Lake City Chapter Sons of Utah Pioneers May 2015

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Emigration Canyon — 3.4 mi
  The final stretch of trail the Mormon pioneers took into the valley
• This Is The Place Heritage Park — 5.2 mi
  A living history village at the mouth of Emigration Canyon
• Natural History Museum of Utah — 5.5 mi
  A world-class museum built into the foothills above Salt Lake City
• Red Butte Garden — 5.7 mi
  A 100-acre botanical garden with panoramic valley views

More markers nearby

• Camp Grant — 1.1 mi
• Camp Grant Monument — 1.1 mi
• Memories at Mountain Dell — 1.5 mi
• Ephraim Hank's Pony Express Station — 1.7 mi