The Emigration Tour covers the last few miles from East Canyon into the valley, a route begun in 1846 by non-Mormon emigrants, persuaded by Lansford Hastings to take a "short cut" to shorten their trip to California. Kristin Johnson has provided extensive information on the fate of the Donner-Reed party at her Utah Crossroads web site. This route continued as the "primary route" over the Wasatch mountains until 1861, when essentially all traffic shifted to the improved Golden Pass over Parleys Summit in 1861. Historic Fort Douglas at the University of Utah (east side of Salt Lake City) can be visited either virtually or by taking a walk or drive around the fort established in 1863. Check the web site for pictures, history, and maps.
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