Along the Oregon Trail

   On a recent trip west we veered off coarse to follow the old Oregon Trail, the historic wagon route and emigrant trail from Missouri to Oregon. Along the way we saw Courthouse and Jailhouse rock.

Chimney Rock 

We also stopped at Chimney Rock.

Scotts Bluff

Just past Chimney Rock is another sandstone and siltstone formation knows as Scotts Bluff. This was another well known landmark to the westward emigrants. 

After 1850 emigrant travelers preferred the improved trail through Mitchell Pass just to the south of the bluffs.

Trail through Mitchell Pass.

Although  overgrown and hard to see, these are ruts left by the wagons in the soft sandstone as they went over Mitchells Pass.

You can drive to the top of Scotts Bluff on a nice paved road which goes through several tunnels. You can also hike up on a nice trail. On the day of our visit it was 100 degrees so we drove. Here is a video.

From the top of the Bluff there is a nice view of the surrounding area.

Fort Laramie

We drove to Fort Laramie about a hour by car from Scotts Bluff. It would have taken the emigrants a good day to get this far. The King Iron bridge over the North Platte river would have been a big improvement for this part of the trip.

Some pictures from inside the fort.

There has been a fort at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte rivers since 1834. The US Army bought the location, and renamed it Fort Laramie, in 1849 to establish a military presence along the emigrant trails. It also played an important role in treaty negotiations and military campaigns with the Northern Plains Indian Nations. As a need for a military presence diminished on the northern plains, the post was abandoned in 1874.

Old Bedlam
Originally built in 1849 as a bachelor officers quarters it also served as post headquarters.

Cavalry Barracks built in 1874

Trail Ruts

 Additional trail ruts near Guernsey, WY.

Independence Rock

This summit in the Sweetwater Valley was about half way for the emigrants and usually reached in early July, about the time the rest of the nation celebrated Independence Day.