Greetings,
June 23, 2011 – Sixth Crossing to South Pass City – Today and Tomorrow are the Continental Divide sections of the Pony Express, Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. We rode from the sixth crossing of the Sweetwater River to South Pass City. South Pass City is slightly north of the actual trail but land ownership issues have led to the slight deviation from the actual trails. We passed Rocky Ridge and the site of the Rocky Ridge Pony Express Station. We traveled through McLean Meadows which are described in Richard Burton's book. Portions of McLean Meadows were very boggy and Frank lost his right front shoe. Dave Rabe gave an Easy Boot to me and I used that for the rest of today's trail and Chris Herron nailed my spare shoe on Frank after the ride.
There was no easy way to get to lunch and I decided to ride Frank fifty miles. Even though access to lunch was difficult, some of the largest rigs made the trek. In the process, the large rigs churned up a bog and one rig became stuck. The stuck rig was not driver error, but a problem resulting from the very large rigs that preceded it through the mud. We were met up the trail by Tracy Blue who wisely went to South Pass City first, unhooked her trailer, and then drove to meet us with lunch in her truck avoiding the problems of towing a trailer on uncertain roads.
Today's trail segment holds special significance for the Mormon pioneers. We left from Martin's Cove and passed by Rock Creek Hollow. Both sites are places where Mormon handcart companies became stranded in November snows and many members of the company died of exposure, exhaustion, and starvation. Today, the LDS church has worked with the BLM to recognize the historical significance of the sites. In preserving the Mormon heritage, the LDS church has also preserved the Pony Express, Oregon, and California trails. Last night, we heard the handcart story from Elder Bagley whose ancestors participated in the handcart company rescue. Elder Bagley is serving an adult mission at the Martin's Cove historical site and he and his wife painted a vivid picture of the handcart trouble and eventual rescue.
Our day ended just above South Pass City which is a historic mining town preserved by the State of Wyoming. South Pass City was active in the late 1860s and today the remaining structures are preserved as a large museum representing Wyoming's mining heritage.
Tomorrow, we will rejoin the Pony Express and other trails at the summit of South Pass on the Continental Divide.
Best Regards,
Tom N
June 23, 2011 – Sixth Crossing to South Pass City – Today and Tomorrow are the Continental Divide sections of the Pony Express, Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. We rode from the sixth crossing of the Sweetwater River to South Pass City. South Pass City is slightly north of the actual trail but land ownership issues have led to the slight deviation from the actual trails. We passed Rocky Ridge and the site of the Rocky Ridge Pony Express Station. We traveled through McLean Meadows which are described in Richard Burton's book. Portions of McLean Meadows were very boggy and Frank lost his right front shoe. Dave Rabe gave an Easy Boot to me and I used that for the rest of today's trail and Chris Herron nailed my spare shoe on Frank after the ride.
There was no easy way to get to lunch and I decided to ride Frank fifty miles. Even though access to lunch was difficult, some of the largest rigs made the trek. In the process, the large rigs churned up a bog and one rig became stuck. The stuck rig was not driver error, but a problem resulting from the very large rigs that preceded it through the mud. We were met up the trail by Tracy Blue who wisely went to South Pass City first, unhooked her trailer, and then drove to meet us with lunch in her truck avoiding the problems of towing a trailer on uncertain roads.
Today's trail segment holds special significance for the Mormon pioneers. We left from Martin's Cove and passed by Rock Creek Hollow. Both sites are places where Mormon handcart companies became stranded in November snows and many members of the company died of exposure, exhaustion, and starvation. Today, the LDS church has worked with the BLM to recognize the historical significance of the sites. In preserving the Mormon heritage, the LDS church has also preserved the Pony Express, Oregon, and California trails. Last night, we heard the handcart story from Elder Bagley whose ancestors participated in the handcart company rescue. Elder Bagley is serving an adult mission at the Martin's Cove historical site and he and his wife painted a vivid picture of the handcart trouble and eventual rescue.
Our day ended just above South Pass City which is a historic mining town preserved by the State of Wyoming. South Pass City was active in the late 1860s and today the remaining structures are preserved as a large museum representing Wyoming's mining heritage.
Tomorrow, we will rejoin the Pony Express and other trails at the summit of South Pass on the Continental Divide.
Best Regards,
Tom N
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