277 people, including youth, leaders, specially called grandparents, uncles,aunts, and support persons met at 0500 to begin the adventure of trekking some 40 miles of Mormon Pioneer trail across the hot, dry plains of Wyoming, to walk in the paths of the ill-fated Martin and Willie handcart companies who had left Iowa City later than was wise to leave, with some 1000 pioneers pushing and pulling handcarts 1000 miles over the plains and mountains to reach the Salt Lake Valley. On October 19, the snow came and the companies were stranded on the plains of Wyoming, with few provisions and only what they could carry in the handcarts.
We were with the support group, leading the medical team. We were able to take our motorhome, and it would become the hospital, if needed. The "families" picked up their handcarts at the visitor's center at Martin's Cove and the trek began.
Leaving the visitors and heading to Cherry Creek Campground. A distance of about 3 miles. That evening, after dinner we had a fireside on the hill by the campground and heard a story about one of the men who was sent to rescue the pioneers. As he spoke, dark clouds gathered in the distance and we could see lightening. The clouds and the lightening got closer and shortly after the fireside ended, the wind started to blow hard, and then the rain started. The storm lasted about an hour, blowing over tents and scattering gear around the campground. Those out in the weather were soaked, as were the tents and gear. We stayed dry, but the wind drove the rain into the vents on the air conditioner and it dripped onto the floor, soaking the carpet underneath. Paul woke up about 0200 and heard the dripping, so he put a pan under the drips, or more space would have been soaked.
Wednesday, July 22 - Day 2
Today we will visit Martin's Cove and have the re-enactment of the crossing at the Sweetwater. We have wet tents and sleeping bags, but hope to be camped early enough tonight that they will dry out enough to sleep
Leaving Cherry Creek Campground.
Entering Martin's Cove, where the Martin Handcart Company sought refuge from the snow and wind in October 1856. They camped here for 5 days until the weather broke and they were able to move out, leaving 50+ of their dead.
After visiting Martin's Cove, the youth were bused about 60 miles to follow the trek of the Willie company, starting at Sixth Crossing.
It was at one of the Sweetwater crossings that 3 young men carried all the women and children across the river, dodging floating ice to get them across. They then assisted the men in getting the handcarts across the river. This was part of the rescue of the Martin Handcart Company. This incident happened at the 3rd crossing of the Sweetwater, but it was re-enacted here at 6th Crossing.
Thursday, July 23 - Day 3
Leaving Sweetwater Camp. Today will be a long trek of 15 miles. We will meet them for dinner, but won't spend the night at Sage Creek. We can't take the motorhome down the road to the encampment.
When we got to camp, there were lots of dehydrated folks, and lots of blisters and sunburn. After dinner the youth had a square dance to live music. We were so busy helping the injured, that I did not get any pictures here. Several people will not be walking tomorrow because of the severity of the blisters on their feet and the effects of dehydration. If we had been able to bring the motorhome down, I am sure we would have started 2 or 3 IVs. We gave them Lemonade and Gatorade and hoped for the best.
Friday, July 24 - Day 4
The group walked 15 miles today, and this was the day that the men & boys were called for the Mormon Battalion and members of the families "died". The women had the job of pulling the handcarts over Rocky Ridge. The final stop, to be at Rock Creek Hollow, which is where the Willie Handcart Company was rescued by the wagons sent by Brigham Young to rescue them. They had pulled the handcarts up over Rocky Ridge in 18 inches of snow and in freezing weather.
The first group to crest the hill into Rock Creek Hollow. It was symbolic of the pioneers entering the Valley of the Great Salt Lake on July 24, 1847.
The wheel tracks from the wagons and handcarts of the pioneers. This area is not used as part of the trek, but are a part of the original trail.
The marker at the cemetary at Rock Creek Hollow. 13 people were buried in a shallow grave.
As we checked on those we were concerned about from last night, all were doing well and went out to meet the companies as they came down the hill.
Saturday, July 25 - Day 5
Before we left Rock Creek Hollow on Sat morning, the families had devotionals one more time. Some met in groups at the campsite and others took one last trip to the cemetary.
We loaded the youth into the buses and started back to Utah. It was an Awesome week, filled with only a small portion of what the pioneers in 1856 suffered. Where they had cold and snow, we had heat, but the stories and the re-enactment of some of those stories were etched into our hearts. We were challenged to never forget.
On Sunday our Sacrament meeting was a "report" of the past week. The testimonies of the youth, as well as the adults, were strengthened. Daily tears were shed of gratitude and empathy for the plight of these pioneers, and for the 150+ members who did not make it, but were buried along the way. What a perfect week to celebrate Pioneer Day.
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