Muddy Creek
We will be walking on a significant part of the Mormon Trail known as Muddy Creek, which is near Fort Bridger, Wyoming. We will come across some key historical sites, such as the following.
We will be walking on a significant part of the Mormon Trail known as Muddy Creek, which is near Fort Bridger, Wyoming. We will come across some key historical sites, such as the following.
Historical Sites
Historical Sites
Brigham's Arrow
Brigham's Arrow
Brigham’s Arrow is a four foot by six foot arrow of rock placed in the ground. According to the latitude and longitude readings of Orson Pratt, at this point the Vanguard's travels switched directions from an old Indian trail. It is believed that the Vanguard Company, with Brigham Young, laid this arrow in the ground for the other companies of saints to follow.
Brigham’s Arrow is a four foot by six foot arrow of rock placed in the ground. According to the latitude and longitude readings of Orson Pratt, at this point the Vanguard's travels switched directions from an old Indian trail. It is believed that the Vanguard Company, with Brigham Young, laid this arrow in the ground for the other companies of saints to follow.
Bigelow Springs
Bigelow Springs
This is a very nice spring that still runs today. Many of the pioneers stopped here for their lunch between Fort Bridger and the Muddy Crossing.
This is a very nice spring that still runs today. Many of the pioneers stopped here for their lunch between Fort Bridger and the Muddy Crossing.
Gravel Hill
Gravel Hill
You will have to double up your strength as you descend down Gravel Hill. This was the steepest descent the pioneers had come across thus far in their travels. An attempt was made to zigzag the wagons down this hill and rock walls were built up on the corners to keep the wagons from tipping over. You can still see remains of the rock walls. Also on this hill and all along the trail you will see rocks with iron deposits left on them from the wagon and handcart wheels.
You will have to double up your strength as you descend down Gravel Hill. This was the steepest descent the pioneers had come across thus far in their travels. An attempt was made to zigzag the wagons down this hill and rock walls were built up on the corners to keep the wagons from tipping over. You can still see remains of the rock walls. Also on this hill and all along the trail you will see rocks with iron deposits left on them from the wagon and handcart wheels.
Muddy Camp and Crossing
Muddy Camp and Crossing
When the pioneers arrived at this camp they were pleased with the bunch grass and good water for their stock. While you stay at this camp you will be able to view pioneer graves and remains of the Pony Express Stop. This camp was heavily used on the trail. Between 1847 and 1869, 60,000 to 70,000 pioneers crossed through here. 250,000 immigrants going to California for the gold rush came through this area as well. Johnston's Army, which consisted of 2,000 men, camped here. The Pony Express ran through this camp and there was also a station here built by Moses Byrne. The stage line ran through this area and the very first telegraph line went through this camp. Also within two miles of this camp ran the Lincoln Highway and the first transcontinental railroad bed. In 1856, the rescue companies camped here with the Martin and Willey Handcart Companies, who were on their way to the Salt Lake Valley.
When the pioneers arrived at this camp they were pleased with the bunch grass and good water for their stock. While you stay at this camp you will be able to view pioneer graves and remains of the Pony Express Stop. This camp was heavily used on the trail. Between 1847 and 1869, 60,000 to 70,000 pioneers crossed through here. 250,000 immigrants going to California for the gold rush came through this area as well. Johnston's Army, which consisted of 2,000 men, camped here. The Pony Express ran through this camp and there was also a station here built by Moses Byrne. The stage line ran through this area and the very first telegraph line went through this camp. Also within two miles of this camp ran the Lincoln Highway and the first transcontinental railroad bed. In 1856, the rescue companies camped here with the Martin and Willey Handcart Companies, who were on their way to the Salt Lake Valley.
Williams Hollow
Williams Hollow
This hollow was named after William H. Bedford. He died at the age of 28 and was buried here on July 4, 1852. There are also other graves in this hollow that you will be able to view. In this hollow there is also a spring called Copperas Springs. Copperas Spring was mentioned in many journals as having a strong smell of copper and alum and having a nasty taste. From a distance, the red soil gave it the appearance of blood.
This hollow was named after William H. Bedford. He died at the age of 28 and was buried here on July 4, 1852. There are also other graves in this hollow that you will be able to view. In this hollow there is also a spring called Copperas Springs. Copperas Spring was mentioned in many journals as having a strong smell of copper and alum and having a nasty taste. From a distance, the red soil gave it the appearance of blood.
Dibble Rock
Dibble Rock
On our third day as you hike out you will have opportunity to view one of the neatest historical sites in this area. Here, while hiding out from Johnston’s Army, Philo Dibble Jr., carved his name in a huge sandstone rock.
On our third day as you hike out you will have opportunity to view one of the neatest historical sites in this area. Here, while hiding out from Johnston’s Army, Philo Dibble Jr., carved his name in a huge sandstone rock.