It is beginning to warm up and with that time to take a trip. Have you ever seen the world famous Oregon Trail Ruts, in Guernsey, Wyoming? If not, here is a quick look at a site that every history buff needs to visit.
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| They are pretty narrow |
For everyone that has not seen the trail ruts, it is worth the trip. The area is very well taken care of by the people from Guernsey State Park, and the site is open year-round.
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| There are several sets of different types of ruts in the area |
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There is a short hike up the hill to the ruts area on a winding concrete walkway complete with interruptive signs. Once on top, the ruts started more than 170 years ago are spectacular.
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| The starting point |
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| Signs along the way |
Some people ask, “Why did they go here, over the top instead of down below by the river where it is flat.”
The answer is simple, the flats were often flooded, making the area a soft bog in many places, thus requiring the wagons to find, hard packed safer ground up high.
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| For visitors - this is the wheelchair path to the ruts. |
When I taught western, and Wyoming history students often wondered if all the wagons followed this same track. The answer is no, many, and at some times of the year, most did, but ruts can be found along the trail on both sides of the river. Ruts can also be found across the prairie often several miles from the river.
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| Just off the parking lot is a nice picnic shelter and restrooms. |
Now that you have seen the ruts take the four minuted drive to Register Cliff and look at the names of pioneers carved in stone.
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| Register Cliff - three miles south of Guernsey, Wyoming |
