Today we hit the trails again to complete the one we started yesterday. A quick stop at Napa Auto Parts proved futile in obtaining a headlight for the tracker so off we went.
As you will see from the pictures, we travelled over alpine roads, shelf trails and meadow bottoms. Some were wet, some snow covered but, most were dry. I asked John how many times a person could say "this is so pretty?" before it got monotonous. It is indeed a camera buff's mecca!
We climbed over, across, through, beside and between several mountains and, just when you thought you were all alone, there was a hunter all set up in the middle of no where. At one point on the trail I looked up beside the truck and there was a deer standing on the hill above us looking down. Of course it would have made for a great picture but, how fast do you think I am?
We continued merrily on our way and came to a sign (and I hope it turns out) that told of the men that used to come into these mountains to cut ties for the railroad and how they used to get them down out of the hills. Again, more fascinating history. We took the pic for Larry (ex railroad man).
We eventually made our way over to the main trail we were on yesterday, just alot further north. Travelled up towards Alpine, Wy. and ended up taking a trail to Deadman's Mine. Now this was a four wheel drive trail. It was muddy and rutted and climbed up Deadman's Mountain until we finally made it to the pioneer site of Deadman's Mine. As you can see from the pics, there is still alot left intact - even some of the equipment the fellow must have used. The trail was a dead end trail so once we were finished poking around we headed back down to the main trail.
I had to stop and take a picture of the gate/entrance to the Deadman's Ranch. These folks down here sure love their signs and their grand entrances. It was truly spectacular and if you look close enough you will see the log house behind the gate. There are alot of log homes down here. There are alot of homes for sale down here as well.
Back on the main trail we started to head home - still a fairly long way to go on these roads (if you want to call them roads). We came across an area where fire have swept through and there was a historical marker depicting the efforts made to fight the blaze. There was a marker honoring the memory of the last ranger who patrolled the area on horseback. Of course we took pics of all the markers.
Because we had returned to part of the Oregon Trail again, we came across a memorial for a young woman (Elizabeth Paul) who died in childbirth along the trail. The baby, named Elizabeth, after her mother, died a week later. It apparently was a well documented death and the historical marker gave a little history of the woman and the wagon train she was traveling with. There were 36 wagons in this particular train. We took some pics and hopefully you can see them clear enough. They buried Elizabeth Paul under a huge fir tree and built a fence post railing around the tree and the grave. That tree is still standing today and it must be in excess of 150 years. old. The grave site is obviously maintained because the railing around the tree looked fairly new. We paid our respects and carried on.
We came into a huge meadow which (if I can remember correctly) was called LaBarge Meadow. This was the last meadow the pioneers were in before they started their ascent over the mountains. Here they rested the animals and presumably themselves for what was yet to come. One of the signs said that 79,000 head of cattle are believed to have been driven along the Trail in the first year alone. 13,000 emigrants in that first year also. Wow - here are John and I, once again immersed in history.
As we continued along we come across two moose enjoying the early evening. One was lying down along side the creek while the other was eating out of it. I know the waters are icy cold but that moose didn't have any trouble sticking his head under the water and chowing down. We stayed and watched them for quite awhile and they didn't seem to mind. They must have known we didn't have and guns!! Hopefully the pictures and the video are okay.
Eventually got back into civilization and hit the highway for a quick trip home. Time to eat supper, watch a little TV, download the pics and head to bed. Another great day, fun was had by all!!
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