wyoming path followed california trail trail collectively referred trail spans miles state wyoming trail entered nebraska eastern border state near present day town exited western border near towns estimated settlers traveled trail wyoming trails follow path state splits fort enters utah oregon continue idaho eastern plains trail follows wyoming trail follows river upstream prominent military trading post region prior northern river thought impassable wagon trains traveling northern river nebraska undertake dangerous crossing fort crossing trains main trail south river cross miles upstream wagon trains successfully path northern river new route reduced risk expense crossing river twice preferred subsequent traffic northern river northern route called child route describe guide book published child route follows present day town douglas near site built point turned north gold fields montana 1860s southern route follows river edge area near current towns emigration established ferry near present day known year ferry moved miles ferry free day saints charged toll users ferry manned groups summer built toll bridge near ferry site eventually ferries business built bridge near site original built trading post end bridge eventually fort famous landmarks southern route included number locations trail wyoming settlers carved names continuing upstream north bends south original trail proceeded miles river bend river formed natural dominated red cliffs hill river easier ford unwilling unable pay cross ferries downstream good camp spot leaving river entering stretch settlers entered difficult portion called rock avenue moved spring spring soil steep hills reached later settlers crossed northern river come favor route small valley called gap headed directly rock avenue bypassing arrival valley trail encounters important landmarks trail named settlers tried reach july independence day united_states order help ensure destinations california oregon winter come travelers left names rock carved painted axle estimated signatures inscribed notable landmarks valley include devil gate martin cove november stranded heavy snow rescue party salt_lake_city arrived trail continues west eventually crossing river times including times miles section narrow canyon prior 6th crossing trail crossed unusual location known ice covering like vegetation grew small stream stream winter didn early summer layer vegetation ice welcome treat settlers enduring temperatures july trail crosses times encounters large hill known northern river barren rocky section lasted miles considered major obstacle trail storm november stranded eastern ridge arrive people died freezing temperatures following trail descends time valley ninth final crossing burnt ranch new route named established southern river named referred indians split main trail 6th crossing rejoined bypassing river crossings advantage early spring summer high runoff route extensively 1850s especially companies immediately crossing burnt ranch trail crosses continental divide important landmark entire trail south pass open saddle north south represented major milestone trip congress created included territory wyoming west crossing south pass meant settlers truly arrived ultimate destination great distance away nearby offered water trail left marked beginning relatively dry stretch trail settlers reached miles away sandy river trail moves southwest alongside short distance west intersect creek small stream tributary turn flows true water level varied depending time year dry south dry sandy ford trail split major sections main route continues south proceeds west directly valleys bypassing point trails known parting ways miles south main trail little sandy secondary path leads little sandy station based emigration period main trail goes ford near present day town trail proceeds northern confluence risky travelers number ferries operating including fort continuing main trail crosses near followed fort established legendary partner vital post welcome rest particularly difficult journey established settlers destined oregon low livestock supplies bypass longer trip point splits oregon trail california trail good continues southwest crossing utah south current town trails turn proceed northwest crossing valley western state trail meets near rejoined trails follow upstream idaho heading fort hall opened led mountain men old kind california recommended wagon trail west cross miles desert territory cross ridge completely bypassing crossing route shaved miles days main route decision cross nearly miles reaching taken lightly settlers decide time health livestock traveler wrote lay preparing crossing cut green river distance miles set journey landed green river distance 19th hours drive route reached height popularity 1850s desire speed california gold fields risks route named popular guide book trail individual named told route popular myth popularity guide book 1850s cemented scholars today original main route ferries operated crossed near present day town early settlers crossed barely water low later offered safer alternative nearby located mile upstream mountain man ferry operated days west ford namesake prominent recording area signatures carvings notable signature unclear signature authentic known hill features native american secondary named breaks main trail near ferry meets slate creek ridge route slightly longer advantage miles endured trail road located north main trail fort hall bypassed fort miles shorter fort hall built supervision federal contractors federally sponsored roads west road officially called fort south pass honey lake road federally funded attempt improve oregon california trails little proposed route near present states nevada california border improved direction improving holes work ceased road section federally funded road future states wyoming idaho expeditions command surveyed new route starting following crossing turned west road followed river north turning west crossing continental divide north road crossed utah near present town wyoming passing feet near head grey river crosses high pass descending wyoming trail entered miles south present town wyoming road continued north miles west turning west creek near present town auburn wyoming passing present state idaho following valley miles northwest idaho section trail accessible path main road wyoming highway goes canyon crossing range road split turning ninety degrees progressing southwest idaho alternately heading west passing south lake national wildlife refuge fort hall idaho road good grass fishing water wood high rough steep places later moving stock summer grazing markets maps road wyoming idaho national trail map information visit wyoming crossing lush wyoming instead south route provided ample wood grass water travelers cut nearly days total travel time wagon trains going fort hall despite better conditions livestock mountainous terrain unpredictable weather passage difficult required continuing federally funded maintenance mountainous road sure thing american civil war funds appropriated men hired utah completed road wyoming idaho days clearing timber moving cubic yards earth road opened extensively records lacking use period assumed sharply decrease fast faster today road roughly followed series county roads
Emigrant Trail in Wyoming