Near Coalville in Summit County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Echo Canyon
Historic Corridor
Modern roads and highways often follow historic transportation corridors. In the mid 1800s, the California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express Trails all passed through this canyon. Today, Interstate 80 in Echo Canyon follows the same historic route.
The Canyon Remembers
Sounds of travelers have lingered between these red canyon walls for hundreds of years. Sometimes, if you listen closely, through the din of today's auto and truck traffic you may hear the echoes of our past:
the scraping of native Ute and Shoshone travois on river gravel,
the crunch of fur trapper's footsteps in the snow,
the whinnying, braying, and bellowing of horses, mules, and oxen,
the crack of a teamster's whip,
the creaking of wagons and stagecoaches,
and the chugging, hissing, and clickity-clack of a steam locomotive on rails.
(Drawing Caption)
Walking next to an ox-drawn wagon in 1847. It took two days to get here from the Wyoming border. By Overland Stage in 1859, the trip took over three hours. By train in 1870, the distance was covered in just under two hours. How long did it take you today?
Erected by Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Historic Trails Consortium.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, the Mormon Pioneer Trail, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 40° 59.385′ N, 111° 24.161′ 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 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Road to Zion (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 (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.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,147 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.


