Salt Lake City, UT

The city of Salt Lake was founded in 1847 by Morman pioneers, led by Brigham Young. Surrounded by the high peaks of the Wasatch mountain range, the city sits in a dramatic location 4,226ft (1,288m) above sea level. The Great Salt lake itself is the second most salty body of water on the planet, after the Dead Sea, and is found just north of the city. The transcontinental railroad bypassed the city and went around the lake to the north (over Promontory), although a line from the city to Ogden in 1870 connected it to the network. Most freight uses the UP route through Ogden, but some trains do pass through town, and the famous "California Zephyr" makes a daily call in both directions each day.