Near Coalville in Summit County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Road to Zion

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 6, 2013

1. The Road to Zion Marker

Inscription. From the late 1840s through the 1860s, an exodus of more than 70,000 Mormons passed by here on their way to their "New Zion" in Utah. Starting from Nauvoo, Illinois in February, 1846, the first group of at least 13,000 Mormons crossed into Iowa to escape religious persecution, then spent the next winter in the area of present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1847, Brigham Young led an advance party of 143 men, 2 women, and 3 children along the Platte River. At Fort Bridger, Wyoming they departed from the Oregon Trail to head southwest to the Great Salt Lake. Thousands of other Mormons soon followed. Today, a marked 1,624-mile auto tour route closely parallels their historic trek.

[Captions:]
During their exodus of 1846-47 (below), Mormon pioneers set up several communities and ferry crossings along the trail to assist later emigrants going to and from their new home in Utah.

From 1856-60, most Mormon converts coming from Europe traveled by rail to Iowa City, Iowa, then walked more than 1,200 miles to Salt Lake City pushing and pulling handcarts (left) loaded with 500 pounds of supplies. After 1860, the Mormon church sent oxen-drawn wagon trains from Salt Lake City to bring emigrants west to the "New Zion."

Diary pages (below) by Mormon emigrant Appleton

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Harmon relate his experiences near Chimney Rock and Scotts bluff in 1847. Many Mormons kept diaries relating their ordeals and adventures.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1846.

Location. 40° 59.384′ N, 111° 24.16′ W. Marker is near Coalville, Utah, in Summit County. It can be reached from Interstate 80 at milepost 171, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the Echo Canyon East Rest Area approx. two miles east of the I-84 / I-80 Junction and I-80 Exit 169. Marker can only be accessed from the eastbound lanes of the freeway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coalville UT 84017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Uinta Mountains,

in the Wasatch Front,

and in Greater Provo.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Echo Canyon (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Echo Canyon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Weber Pony Express Station (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Battle of the Signs (approx. 2.2 miles away); Control of Influence (approx. 2.3 miles away); Pulpit Rock (approx. 2.3 miles away); Iron Rails and Silver Dreams

The Road to Zion and Echo Canyon Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 6, 2013

2. The Road to Zion and Echo Canyon Markers

(approx. 2.3 miles away); Temple Camp and Supplication Hills (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coalville.

More about this marker. Marker is an interpretive sign of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail.

View from picnic area above rest area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 6, 2013

3. View from picnic area above rest area

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.