Just over an hour away from Logan Utah and on the way to the Spiral Jetty is The Golden Spike National Historic Site. Usually I’m bringing friends out to the Jetty and we pass by much of what the site has to offer and just stop at the visitor center. This past trip was a bit different as my passengers were meeting me at the center and I would have some time alone to get off the main road and photograph along the East Grade Auto Tour. It was amazingly still and the only sound to be heard was that of a cow off in the distance. That changed with the unmistakeable sound of small caliber gunfire, and close too. Above and below: Looking East from the Central Pacific Grade on a beautiful spring evening.
The landscape of Promontory is unforgiving and it is that aspect along with it’s austere beauty that attracts me. On a previous visit the wind was so fierce that one could hardly stand outside of the car, it’s no wonder few people live here.
Take a moment and consider that these rail cuts were made by men with hand tools. Looking east through the cut toward Brigham City and the Wellsville Mountains. It was at this point I heard the gunfire and thought that it sounded pretty close. After returning to my car that was parked on the road I went through the cut and there I found the family using the Golden Spike Historic Site as their personal shooting range. As a reminder “Firearms may not be discharged in this national park or along the scenic drive and should not be used as a wildlife protection strategy”. Say what you will about firearms the thing that gets me is the attitudes of “it does not apply to me” or “I’m in the middle of nowhere so who cares”, in this case there are multiple public shooting ranges with in view of this location.
Promontory has a lot to offer if you have the patience to travel there and empathy for what you will discover. On this day I was pressed for time and had to get back to Cache Valley but I will no doubt return and continue to photograph the landscape around the Golden Spike National Historic Site in the near future.
Images and text © Andrew McAllister-Looking at the West.
Looking at the West 
Seems like there’s always someone who feels “exceptional”. :(
For my doctoral dissertation I had occasion to repeat the 1869 photos of the golden-spike ceremony and the surrounding countryside. I found that invasive weeds introduced from Asia had replaced the original sagebrush that covered the land.
I hit “post” too soon. The park visitor’s center has copies of some of the original photos that you might find interesting.
I have seen some of the photos reproduced in books and it would be interesting to do photographic comparisons of then and now.
These are gorgeous Andrew – never knew there was a site for the golden spike – too bad there seems to be no rails left. will have to put that on the list of places to see with you!
I’d have to look up when the rails were removed, if memory serves me they only lasted a dozen years before being moved to a southern route. The area near the visitor center has rails enact with the two locomotive’s.
If you ever have a weekend to kill, you should drive the 90ish mile old RR right of way to the west of the park. It’s well kept and even interpreted by the BLM. There’s also the Spiral Jetty not too far away. Definitely worth a visit.
Great shots. It’s a ridiculously beautiful area.
I’d like to do that route sometime, preferably with another vehicle or two. I have heard stories of the road being good and also terrible with regard to flats. Usually when I’m out that way I’m going to the Spiral Jetty… Agreed ridiculously beautiful area.
We did it in a Toyota Yaris. No flats, but we have good road luck. Definitely worth it.
Great read! I’ll have to swing through that part of the country sometime. Beautiful pictures.
Put it on your list. Lots to see here in Northern Utah.
Those are some enticing northern Great Basin Landscapes! I’ve got to get up and explore that northwest corner of Utah some day.
You won’t be disappointed.
Truly stunning images thanks for sharing these with weekend photographers like myself who could only dream of having the time, money and know-how to capture such vibrant images. Beautiful place to shoot. We do have the ambition though! Ivan Cordero WildAtPalmas.com
Photography is a life long pursuit, enjoy the ride.