First in a five-part series on the Wasatch Mountains.

Had there been no mountains when Brigham Young rolled into what is now the Great Salt Lake Valley, the LDS Church leader might simply have said, "Drive on."

The valley would be just another barren spot in the Great Basin between the Colorado Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. Without the tons of rock majestically jutting thousands of feet above the valley floor, early settlers would not have had the resources to make life on the frontier viable.

No timber or stone for buildings. No silver or gold for commerce. No game for clothing and food. And most important, no water.

The mountains are not only Utah's backbone but its heart and soul. Within them is the power to sustain life — and to take it away.

"I think everyone in Salt Lake should ask himself what life would be like without the Wasatch Mountains," said Gale Dick, a retired college professor who moved to Utah 44 years ago because of the mountains. "It would be Fresno."

Dick, president of the conservation group Save Our Canyons, recalled a hike in Albion Basin with his wife and 2-year-old son shortly after arriving in the state. "We decided we were in the right place."

Without the Wasatch Mountains, though, this wouldn't be the place.

"It's an interesting question, what Salt Lake would look like without the mountains," said Jim Wood, University of Utah Bureau of Economic and Business Research lead economist. Probably "like Winnemucca."

Geologists say an earthquake fault plane formed the rugged Wasatch Range some 12 million years ago. It stretches roughly 220 miles from Mount Nebo — the range's highest peak — in Juab County to jagged Sheep Rock Point near Soda Springs, Idaho. It is generally considered part of the Rocky Mountains, though that is subject to some debate.

To the naked eye, the range appears to go on forever. But it does not. As much as it has to offer, it is a limited resource.

"This is just a little matchbox of a mountain range," Dick said.

Deseret News graphic Page: 1 2 3 4 Next > Comments You can be the first to comment on this story. Add your comment 3 photos Scott G. Winterton, Deseret Morning News The Wasatch Front keeps watch over the Salt Lake Valley. If it weren't for the mountains, the area would be just another barren spot in the Great Basin between the Colorado Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. Gallery (3 photos) Related content Articles Million-dollar views Safeguarding streams started early in Utah Latest updates Most popular Most commented A look at the world in pictures 10:41 a.m. Arrests in near dragging of officer 10:35 a.m. Myths harmless, unnecessary 10:17 a.m. Reactions on Boozer speculation 10:15 a.m. Obama and pope hold first meeting 10:11 a.m. Stocks falter 10:10 a.m. Springville may allow chickens 10:08 a.m. Man admits slaying in cold-case 10:07 a.m. Armstrong drops to 3rd at Tour 10:04 a.m. White is underestimated in garden 10:03 a.m. Jazz talking Boozer trade? Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake Jazz in back of line for free agents Okur signs two-year extension A primer for the 6th Potter film Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip Restaurant destroyed by fire Mall owner seeks to retain zoning Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando AK will not play for Russia this summer Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits140 Letters: Palin mistreated137 Teachers struggle with district cuts135 Blazers may offer Millsap a contract123 Jazz talking Boozer trade?110 Fairness of BCS debated81 Moon landing: Let's hear from you78 Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett73 Services bids farewell to Jackson70 Letters: Single-payer system best69 Moon Landing What do you remember from July 20, 1969, when man walked on the moon? Mom blog: Unemployed parents As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been... Blog: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and... Latest comments Up to Parra: Olympic medalist fills in as U.S. speedskating coach Speedskater said: Until you have fought a long corner going 30 MPH on ice, you really have no... Springville may allow chickens in residential areas Anon said: There have been chickens in our neighborhood in Springville for the more than... Envision Utah's Fayles joins race for West Valley mayor A.Miller said: Kevin is extremely qualified for this position and listens to the little... Utah's lessons for California The Facts said: Education (K-12) is generally a state's largest budget item. The Supreme... Global cooling evidence should quiet the alarms raised by warmists Anonymous said: A narrow snapshot in time and geography is meaningless. I can't believe the... Obama and pope hold their first meeting Soccer Boy said: Did Michelle wear something inappropriate or man handle the Pontiff. I hear... Looking to challenge Bennett? Watch it; he's shrewd Mike said: Bernick, keep drinking the Koolaide. You state that Conservatives are... Hatch pushes natural gas incentives Art Brothers said: Since 1998 the Honda Civic GX has been recognized EVERY YEAR as the cleanest... Science is not settled Anonymous said: So, even if the issue is not "settled", does it mean we should not be better... Obama controls all To AB said: Yeah? Look at all the GOP still defending their dead and irrelevant party to... Advertisements deseretnews.com: Home | Subscription services | Contact us | FAQ | Feedback | Jobs | Purchase photos | RSS | Privacy policy Advertisement