Wasatch Range

The Wasatch Range is a mountain range in northern Utah that forms the eastern edge of the Salt Lake Valley and the backbone of the state’s front-range recreation corridor. It is a fault-block range with numerous sharp peaks, deep canyons and extensive recreational infrastructure.

The range contains many peaks above 11,000 feet (about 3,350 metres) and stretches for roughly 160 miles north to south. It is a primary destination for alpine skiing, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, climbing and hiking, with multiple developed ski resorts and dozens of canyon trailheads.

The Wasatch Range formed mainly by uplift on the Wasatch Fault and subsequent erosion; glacial action has shaped many of the high cirques and canyons. Human use has included mining in the 19th and early 20th centuries and the later development of ski resorts and mountain recreation facilities.

Geographically the range runs along the eastern boundary of the Salt Lake metropolitan area, with Salt Lake City the nearest major city and numerous smaller towns and resort communities located along the western foothills.

• Dimensions and elevation: Many peaks exceed 11,000 feet (about 3,350 metres) and the range runs roughly north-south for about 160 miles (approximately 257 kilometres).
• Skiing and recreation: Contains several world-class ski areas such as Alta, Snowbird and Park City, with ski seasons typically strongest from December through March.

What to See #

• Little Cottonwood Canyon: A deep glacially carved valley that provides access to major ski areas and climbing routes, with state highways and trailheads leading to Alta and Snowbird resorts.
• Big Cottonwood Canyon: A parallel canyon with scenic drives and trailheads that lead into the Wasatch backcountry and several alpine lakes and creeks.
• Mount Nebo (peak): A prominent peak in the southern Wasatch, frequently climbed in summer and serving as a visual landmark for central Utah; one of the range's higher summits.