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 Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 7:10 p.m. Militia movement resurfaces in U.S. 6:36 p.m. U.S. wages war on AIDS in Vietnam 6:35 p.m. Radio traffic reports may be fading 6:33 p.m. Wildcats pounded by the Tribe 5:40 p.m. TSA gets Grinchy with snow globes 4:34 p.m. Luxury resort in depressed Rhode Is. 4:34 p.m. Jones' joy for life remembered 4:09 p.m. Fantasy is reality for BYU professor 4:05 p.m. 'A Christmas Story' opens this week 4:05 p.m. Cave to be sealed with body inside Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust Glover gives Utes last-second upset BYU football: 5 keys to victory Cougars turn back Wildcats' Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies Running game key to BYU offense Woods, wife unavailable for interview Idaho woman dies after fall BYU would like friendlier rivalry272 Thunder rolls by Jazz136 Letters: Rushing to judge Palin134 Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies115 Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin113 Cave to be sealed with body inside113 Letters: Trump card for believers98 Rivalry Week is highly profane88 Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls76 Hall's legacy measured today75 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 Mormon chaplain honored in North Dakota Anonymous said: Are LDS considered Christian Chaplains or are they on there own? Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 Woot, Woot! said: Great game and fun to watch, though my fingernails are gone! :-) Don't cry... Boys basketball rankings re: closet rebel fan down south said: What are you, crazy???? I bet you keep that little piece of info secret! You... Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 new offensive coordinator said: is in order... dreadful calls. Brad buddy, time to move on... the problem... Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 cowboy said: yea for george, as good as they get and he has suffered in silence. I am... Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 MiP said: As a Ute fan, congrats to the BYU football team for squeeking this one out. I... Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies Cheryl said: Our thoughts and prayers for continued strength and emotional healing for the... Girl grants elderly people wishes What a blessing ... said: she brings into the lives of others! "When you have done it unto the least... Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 utwingnut said: What the heck are you all talking about! Max Hall just won the game! Rise... Wildcats pounded by the Tribe old coach said: Great season Nick W! Advertisements Advertisement deseretnews.com: Home | Subscription services | Contact us | FAQ | Feedback | Jobs | Purchase photos | RSS | Privacy policy Advertisement