#echocanyon

Climbing Through Echo Canyon

It is simply incredible just how much history transpired in this little canyon: French trappers, the California Trail, Pony Express, Brigham Young, Mormon Breastworks high overhead (never used), the Overland Stage, and Mark Twain—not to mention the first transcontinental railroad (Union Pacific) and the Lincoln Highway.

Echo Canyon near Death’s Rock This is one of the most scenic of spots along the entire route of the Pacific Railroad. The Union Pacific, racing to meet the Central Pacific, built through here in the first months of 1869. David Haward Bain, in his book The Old Iron Road, does a wonderful job providing some of the history of this unique and stunningly beautiful area. He covers the origin of the Hastings Cutoff, the trials and tribulations of the Donner-Reed party, as well as anecdotal evidence of others who passed through the canyon.

Climbing the Hill

It is simply incredible just how much history transpired in this little canyon: French trappers, the glamorous but brief history of the Pony Express, Brigham Young, Mormon Breastworks placed high overhead (never used), the Overland Stage, and Mark Twain—not to mention the first transcontinental railroad and the Lincoln Highway. This is an eastbound train struggling up the grade—near Death's Rock.

Echo Canyon, Eastbound

Echo Canyon, Westbound

This is a westbound train drifting downgrade through Echo Canyon. The Union Pacific, while constructing their half of the first transcontinental railroad, began the year 1869 at the mouth of this canyon and would have to rush to Promontory Summit to meet the Central Pacific by May 10th.

There is no shortage of history echoing around these canyon walls: Native Americans, trappers, pioneers, Mormons, and the Pony Express all made their way through this place prior to the incursion of the railroad—and the Lincoln Highway and I-80 came afterwards.

Echo Canyon, Westbound

This is a westbound train drifting downgrade through Echo Canyon. The Union Pacific, while constructing their half of the first transcontinental railroad, began the year 1869 at the mouth of this canyon and would have to rush to Promontory Summit to meet the Central Pacific by May 10th.

And there is much history echoing around these canyon walls: Native Americans, trappers, pioneers, Mormons, and the Pony Express all made their way through this place prior to the incursion of the railroad.