Morgan County and Echo Canyon
Devil's Slide
If you’ve traveled on I-84 to Evanston, you’ve probably seen the large blue sign “Devil’s Slide”. You can actually see it as you drive along the freeway, but you can enjoy a longer look if you take the scenic viewpoint turnoff headed East.
“Devil’s Slide is a classic example of how different rock layers are affected by weathering and erosion. The sides of the slide are hard, weather-resistant limestone layers about 40 feet high, 25 feet apart, and several hundred feet in length. In between these two hard layers is a shaky limestone that is slightly different in composition from the outer limestone layers. This middle layer is softer, which makes it more susceptible to weathering and erosion, thus forming the chute of the slide.” (geology.utah.gov)
Devil's Slide and an Angel
The Witches
Traveling on 1-84 East, take exit 115 (Henefer/Echo). Turn left onto Main Street. The road then curves to the right and after about 2 miles you will reach The Witches up on the left. You’ll see a crosswalk painted on the road. Pull over on the right and walk across the road and up the hill a short distance to a marker with an explanation about The Witches.
Three Good Witches in front of Rock Witches in the background
Echo Canyon Rest Stop
Echo Canyon Welcome Center/ I-80 UT Rest Area Westbound. This rest stop is a classic welcome to Utah with a visitor’s center (It was closed due to Covid), a pioneer wagon and a statue of an ox. Trains Magazine calls it “the best rest stop in America - for rail fans”. We were there for about 20 minutes but unfortunately didn’t see any trains go by. But there were hills to run up for exercise! If traveling East bound you need to go past the rest area about 7 miles and take the Castle Rock exit and turn around.
Family History
In Echo Canyon, both Zauggs and Brimhalls have history here with Noah Brimhall and Abraham Chadwick.
The Mormon Trail
Brigham Young with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled this trail to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. There are a variety of hikes to take along the way. If you have been on any of these, let me know. I'd like to add your experience and a photo if you have one.
Porterville, Morgan County
Porterville is 4 miles southwest of the town Morgan.
Edward Arthur (Art) Spackman was born in Porterville, Morgan, UT on July 31, 1895.
His parents were also born in Porterville: Charles Spackman (1870-1843) and Phebe Rich Spackman (1873-1952).
Art’s sister, who was born 2 years after him, was born in Grace, ID.
The original church house in Porterville was built in 1898 and then remodeled later.