A Little Spontaneous History Lesson

On the drive back from camping at Pathfinder Reservoir, Tim and I stumbled upon the historic landmark Independence Rock. It was one of the progress land marks for the pioneers as they traveled along the Oregon Trail. The rock is absolutely spectacular.

Once arriving at the rock, the travelers would carve their names in the stone. The rock is covered in names of families and the date they arrived at the rock. It was known throughout the groups of travelers that if you didn't arrive at the rock by the 4th of July, that you wouldn't make it over the pass through the mountains before winter came. If you didn't make it the pass would be blocked by the snow and traveling would lead to death. The oldest name and date we we found was from the early 1830's which is in line with the start of the Oregon Trail time line.

From looking at the pictures it is hard to see, but the rock is smooth and sloped at a low enough angle that you can walk all the way up to the top. Tim and I walked on the trail surrounding the rock and then attempted our climb. On the lower parts of the rock there were many names, but at the top there were many more. Not all the names were from the time of the Oregon Trail, many were from throughout the years adding to the history of the rock.

I love visiting historic landmarks and am putting a few more on the agenda while I will be in Wyoming.