The first Europeans to enter the area were the Spanish, around 1775. They did interact with the Ute and Paiute, who likely helped them route parts of their Old Spanish Trail. The first attempt at permanently settling the area came in June 1855. A group of 41 Mormons built a fort to serve as the Elk Mountain Mission, trading with travelers and baptizing the natives. However, conflicts with the Ute forced the missionaries to flee the area after just three months. It would be over 20 years before the area was permanently settled by a mix of ranchers, prospectors, and farmers.