Wyoming's Famous Oregon Trail Ruts

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. 

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.

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.

The starting point

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.

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.  

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. 

Register Cliff - three miles south of Guernsey, Wyoming

The Oregon Trail Ruts & Register Cliff

With several days on or above 100 degrees the last week we have not done any hiking in the park. We have gone on a few drives, and stopped to take in the view or dip our feet in the water, but, for now, that’s about it.

I see lots of tourists, this time of year, visiting the Oregon Trail Ruts and Register Cliff, both south of Guernsey. The staff of Guernsey State Park not only keeps up the park but is also in charge of the grounds, parking area, restrooms and walking paths, at the Cliff and Ruts both state historical sites.

For those that have never visited these two sites, it is well worth the time and effort to stop. Although many books and blogs talk about all the names that are no longer on Register Cliff, I like to look at, and wonder about, all the names that are still there, and there must be hundreds, maybe thousands. 

The ruts are beautiful, deep, rustic and easily assessable. Great place to take photos and also a chance to view wildlife and wildflowers.

 Next time you visit the park take a couple of hours and drive out to Register Cliff and Deep Ruts Hill on the Oregon Trail.

 Unforgettable experience.

The Oregon Trail and Guernsey State Park

201 years ago visitors showed up at my doorstep. Or, at least, they could have.

It was in the winter of 1812-13 that Robert Stuart led the seven returning Astorians on their journey from Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River to St. Louis. After traversing South Pass they found the North Platte and followed it to the Missouri and on to St. Louis. To do this they must have passed very close to my home a quarter of a mile north of the North Platte and 13 miles upstream from Fort Laramie. It would take another 21 years before Fort Laramie (then Fort William) was founded as a trapper trading post.

With this passing of the Astorians Robert Stuart and his crew become the pathfinders of the route that later would become the Oregon Trail. Fort Laramie would go on to become one of the most looked forward to stops for travelers heading west.

 

Guernsey State Park encompasses several thousand acres, the famous Trail Ruts and Register Cliff, both south of Guernsey, are also part of the park. Probably no way Stuart and the Astorians passed through without being the first vacationers to stop at this terrific Wyoming park.

Hope they paid their overnight camping fee.

http://www.nps.gov/fola/index.htm         Fort Laramie

http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/Site/SiteInfo.aspx?siteID=7             Guernsey State Park (in our town)