#1 The Last Climb

The Last Climb #1 marker

NPS Photo njc

Quick Facts

Location:

Golden Spike National Historical Park

Significance:

Central Pacific Railroad Last Climb to Promontory

The West Auto Tour is approximately seven miles and follows the original Transcontinental railroad grade and allows visitors to experience what passengers would have encountered on their travels through Utah Territory. A glimpse of the Great Salt Lake, wide open spaces and the iconic "10 Miles in a Day" sign await the visitor. The tour begins seven miles west of the Visitor Center via Golden Spike Drive. The West Tour is closed seasonally from late November to early June. 

• The Last Climb

  
  

  In April 1869 Chinese laborers employed by the Central Pacific Railroad toiled on this stretch of railroad grade. Their hardest labors already lay as monuments behind them - in the crossing of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and the deserts of Nevada. These men welcomed the gentle, easy approaches to Promontory, from here only seven track miles away.

  Credit / Author:

  Nicki Castoro

  Date created:

  04/11/2025

  Audio Transcript

  In April 1869 Chinese laborers employed by the Central Pacific Railroad toiled on this stretch of railroad grade. Their hardest labors already lay as monuments behind them - in the crossing of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and the deserts of Nevada. These men welcomed the gentle, easy approaches to Promontory, from here only seven track miles away.  Travel with them as they work to a final meeting at Promontory. But don't go fast. Trains a century ago averaged speeds of only twenty miles per hour.