| OCR Text |
Show and on the east stands the formidable barrier of the loftly Wasatch Plateau. The valley averages an elevation of about 5500 feet above sea level. The San Pitch Mountains are in the 5,000 to 8,000 foot range, while on the east, the Wasatch Plateau is higher, rising to between 8,000 and 11~000 feet~ Sanpete's high altit te and harsh climate are partially mitigated by the mountains themselves, for the high peaks shield the valley from the ravages of winter storms. The San Pitch River flows the length of the valley, beginning in the mountains north of the town of Fairview and wandering southward, fed by the many creeks flowing from the adjacent mountain canyons before finally emptying into the upper Sevier River drainage. The valley is accessible from the north through Salt Creek Canyon above Fountain Green and through Thistle Canyon north of Fairview. On the south, the Gunnison Narrows opens out into the Sevier River Valley. The Sanpete Valley enjoys a natural isolat,on and while it is politicaily tied to the larger Sanpete County to the south and west, it remains historically and culturally a distinctive area within the Mormon-settled region. The name Sanpete is an anglicization of San Pitch, the name of what was most likely a Southern Piute people living in the valley at the time of the arrival of the Mormon settlers . Several other more mobile and war-like Ute bands also were found here as well. History: 1849-1890 Given its strategic central location and its obvious natural assets, Mormon colonization in the Sanpete Valley was perhaps inevitable. Yet, the specific decision to move settlers into this remote mountain valley 61 |
