Kamas

Kamas (/ˈkæməs/ KAM-əs) is a city in southwestern Summit County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,811 at the 2010 census.

The main industries are cattle ranching and lumber. The town is known to outsiders as "The Gateway to the Uintas" and is located 42 miles (68 km) east of downtown Salt Lake City. Fishing, camping, hiking, mountain climbing and other outdoor recreational activities are popular among locals. Kamas is the closest city to the Camp Steiner Boy Scout camp.

History
Kamas derives its name from Camassia quamash, a source of food for Native Americans.

Kamas was inhabited intermittently by several Native American ethnic groups, including members of the Ute, Shoshone, and Snake tribes. The first permanent settlements in the valley are believed to have been built by Mormon pioneers including Abraham Marchant, John Lambert, and John Pack who settled under the direction of Brigham Young.

One prominent figure in Kamas folklore history is Thomas Rhoads. According to legend, Indian guides from an area Ute Tribe revealed to Rhoads the location of a gold mine from which he was allowed to take gold to assist in the construction of the Salt Lake Temple. The only condition the Ute guides gave for revealing the location of this mine was that Rhoads agreed not to reveal the location of the mine to any other person. Rhoads adhered to the terms of this agreement until his eventual death from an illness. The "Rhoads Mine" is now considered lost, but its legend survives in several books which have been published on the topic.

After the Rifts
Nothing had changed. Kamas is in such a remote location that it's still a small town. Of course came the Old West Romantic movement, and the town looks as it was as if it stepped back in time.