Rocky Ridge

The missionaries from the cove all came to our site for a quick prayer and instruction and then we all drove the actual trail to Rocky Ridge. We pulled up the caboose, as were to close all the gates we traveled thru. From the Willie Meadow it is about 12 miles to the Lower Monument of Rocky Ridge. The trek groups trek this trail with handcarts. This is called the "National Historic Trail". Better known as "the Oregon Trail, the Mormon trail or the Pony Express trail." They all used this trail to head west. At the Lower Monument we have to park the cars and walk up over the 2 1/2 mile uphill climb of Rocky Ridge. No cars are allowed up over Rocky Ridge.

As we were driving to the Ridge, out in the middle of the barren landscape there was a lone Moose.
For the more adventurous we had the experience of pulling a cart up over Rocky Ridge. Here we are near the top of the Ridge. Notice how many are pulling the cart. Many times with the handcart people of the Willie company, there was 1,2, 3 people pulling or pushing the cart. They did it in a foot of snow with a bitter cold northwest wind blowing in their faces. Once reaching the top of the Ridge they had to continue on to camp for another 12 miles. It took many all day long and into the night before they reached camp, which was called "Rock Creek Hollow." 13 died that night and were buried in a common grave. Two of the brothers that helped dig the grave died the next day and are buried near by.
Here we are at Rock Creek Hollow enjoying a few of the stories about some of those amazing handcart people. Notice the snow in the back ground. This is a beautiful sacred place where the spirit is so strong.