Page 513 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

UT AH  511

8 Park City P Park City Museum
528 Main St. Tel (435) 649-7457.
* 8,100. n 1794 Olympic Parkway Open 10am–7pm Mon–Sat, noon–
& 528 Main Street, (435) 649-7457. 6pm Sun (May & Nov: 11am–5pm
∑ visitparkcity.com Mon–Sat, noon–6pm Sun).
Closed Jan 1, Thnksg., Dec 25. 7 ltd.
∑ parkcityhistory.org
An hour’s drive east from down-
town Salt Lake City, through the
Wasatch Mountains, leads to this 9 Timpanogos
popular resort. The city started Cave National
life in the 1860s as a silver mining
camp and still retains several Monument
turn-of-20th-century buildings Hwy 92, American Fork. Tel (801) 756-
along its photogenic Main Street. 5238. Open mid-May–mid-Oct: times
Park City has become world- vary; call ahead. Closed mid-Oct–mid-
famous as the home of the May. & ∑ nps.gov/tica
prestigious Sundance Film
Festival. Founded by actor and One of the the most popular
director Robert Redford in 1981, destinations around Salt Lake
the annual festival focuses on City, the Timpanogos Cave Scenic view along Alpine Loop following
independent and documen tary National Monument lies deep Highway 92
films and has become America’s beneath the 11,750-ft (3,581-m)
foremost venue for innovative summit of Mount Timpanogos. man-made tunnels, the three
cinema. The festival’s popularity The site preserves a trio of caves are very cool (43° F/ 6° C),
is linked to Park City’s excellent massive limestone caverns very damp, and full of spec-
skiing facilities, showcased in stretching nearly 1,800 ft (549 m) tacular limestone formations.
the 2000 Winter Olympics. deep into the mountain. Electric lights showcase the
A sense of the town’s history Reached by way of a steep, sundry stalactites, stalagmites,
can be obtained at Park City 1.5 mile (2 km) uphill hike from crystalline helictites, and other
Museum in the old City Hall. the visitor center, and linked by water-sculpted formations,
all of which are still being
formed. Only a limited number
of people are allowed inside,
so visitors should come early in
the day or during the week, or
call ahead for reservations.
Timpanogos Cave is one
of the many highlights of the
drive along the 40-mile (64-km)
Alpine Loop, which follows
Highway 92 around the
landmark mountain. Many
campgrounds, picnic spots,
scenic views, and hiking trails
can be enjoyed by trekkers
Historic houses lining Main Street in Park City along the way.

The Mormons
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, believed to be “another
revelation of Jesus Christ” by its leaders, was founded by Joseph Smith
(1805–44), a farm worker from New York State. In 1820 Smith claimed to have
seen visions of the Angel Moroni, who led him to a set of golden tablets, which
he translated and later published as the Book of Mormon, thus establishing the
Mormon Church. Although this new faith grew rapidly, it attracted hostility
because of its political and economic beliefs, and the practice of polygamy.
Seeking refuge, the Mormons moved to Illinois in 1839, where Smith was killed
by an angry mob. Leadership passed to Brigham Young, who led the members
on an arduous journey west, in the hope of escaping persecution and setting
up a safe haven in the unpromising landscape of Salt Lake Valley. The pioneers
traveled across bleak prairies and mountains in primitive wagons, braving
the fierce weather. Young’s followers finally established successful farming
communities across Utah’s wilderness. Today, Mormons form 60 percent of Portrait of Brigham Young
Utah’s population. (1801–77)

510-511_EW_USA.indd 511 11/2/16 2:47 PM