Prior to July 15, 1983 (planned for April 25, 1983, but delayed by the Thistle mudslide), while Denver & Rio Grande Western remained out of Amtrak, the train ran from Oakland to Denver via Ogden (Alazon to Ogden not ending until October 29, 1983, with an Ogden to SLC jog during that time period) and Rawlins, rather than via Salt Lake City and Grand Junction:
Alazon to Ogden
Salt Lake City (Grant Tower) to Ogden
Ogden to Granger
Granger to Borie/Speer
Until October 27, 1979, the train continued into Cheyenne and then ran in reverse between Cheyenne and Denver.
Borie/Speer to La Salle
La Salle to Denver