The Golden Pass: or New Road through the Mountains
Travelers between the States and California are respectfully informed that a new road will be opened on and after the 4th of July, between the Weber River and Great Salt Lake Valley—distance about 40 miles; avoiding the two great mountains, and most of the canyons so troublesome on the old route.
The road is somewhat rough and unfinished; but is being made better every day. Several thousand dollars are already expended by the proprietor, who only solicits the patronage of the public, at the moderate charge of:
50 cents per conveyance drawn by one animal.
75 cents per conveyance drawn by two animals.
10 cents per each additional draught, pack, or saddle animal.
5 cents per head for loose stock.
1 cent per head for sheep.
The foregoing prices will average about one dollar per wagon.
This route lies up the valley of Weber River some 15 or 18 miles, open, smooth, and grassy; thence, through a dry hollow, and over an abrupt range of hills, some 3 miles; thence, through well watered, grassy, and beautiful plains and meadows, 3 miles; thence, down the open and grassy valley of a stream 3 miles; thence, 2 miles up a smooth ascent, through meadows, and table lands of pine, fir, and aspen forests, to the summit of a mountain; thence, 6 miles down a gradual descent of table land to the head of the Great Canyon; thence through a rough road, with grass and fuel abundant, 6 miles to the Valley; entering which, thousands of acres of fresh feed, cover the table lands at the foot of the hills and mountains where teams can recruit, while all the principal flouring mills are in the same vicinity.
If a road worked by the most persevering industry, an open country, good feed and fuel, beautifully romantic and sublime scenery, are any inducement, take the new road, and thus encourage public improvement.
G.S.L. City, June 22, 1850,
P.P. Pratt, Proprietor
[Deseret News, June 29, 1850]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 22, 1850, 1-2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]