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 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 Move over, Monopoly 4:16 p.m. Trains in gardens a hit 4:16 p.m. Trailers spoil the movie plots 4:16 p.m. Parents should listen to Lambert 4:15 p.m. Toys leave little to imagination 4:15 p.m. Holiday cards elicit complaints 4:15 p.m. New garage functions like a garage 4:15 p.m. Family grows poinsettias 4:15 p.m. Garden tips and events 4:15 p.m. Family-friendly activities calendar 4:14 p.m. Hall mouths off about hate of Utah BYU is champion of the state Cougars beat Utes in overtime Credit Coug defense for win Field goals, penalties doomed Utes Cougar defense rose to occasion Marriage definitions vary widely Jones' joy for life remembered Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers Cave to be sealed with body inside Hall mouths off about hate of Utah692 Cougars beat Utes in overtime465 Thunder rolls by Jazz136 BYU is champion of the state126 Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies117 Cave to be sealed with body inside115 Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin113 Rivalry Week is highly profane90 Hall's legacy measured today77 Y. focused on 10-win season74 Dad blog: Black Friday tales I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on... Mom blog: Heroes for our children When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero.... Jay Evensen: Ask Chaffetz I've asked for your help on this sort of thing before – giving me... Latest comments Hall mouths off about hate of Utah Let it all out Max said: Don't hold back. Tell us what you really think. It is amazing what built... The AP Top 25 WHERE DID THEY GO?? said: WHERE DID THE MIGHTY utes GO? OH, I SEE THEM THEY ARE MENTIONED IN THE... Guv says to tax hike, others say yes A. Taxpayer said: Of course many of the businesses want taxes raised because their business... Hall mouths off about hate of Utah Douglas said: Beer??? Utah has a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol on campus, dorms ans... Utahns back anti-bias laws So Then said: Since the American population is mostly Catholic, is it ok for them to... Alta lodge owner is constant Allan Jorgensen said: As an Alta skier since 1948 I must say it is the best snow on earth. I live... Hall mouths off about hate of Utah How Much? said: How Much money would BYU save if they axed the sports program? Is even an... Hall mouths off about hate of Utah CPC said: Max Hall just defined his legacy which is sad for the young man. As much as... Hall mouths off about hate of Utah Truth said: Unfortunately, there are times where you must be a little more PC than usual.... Aggies hold on, win wild one Logan Aggie said: Winning 2 of the last 3 gives us some momentum going into the offseason. As... Advertisements Advertisement deseretnews.com: Home | Subscription services | Contact us | FAQ | Feedback | Jobs | Purchase photos | RSS | Privacy policy Advertisement