7/10/2015
7/10/2015
7/10/2015
5/24/1997
7/10/2015
Landmark information
- Location:
Big Bend Ranger Station, 2008 Hampshire Rocks Rd (old Hwy 40), 8 mi W of Soda Springs - Plaque:
Official State Plaque - Site:
Existing - Date First Visited:
5/24/1997 - Date Most Recently Visited:
7/10/2015 - GPS Coordinates:
N 39 18.393, W 120 31.063
About this landmark
Plaque text:
Overland Emigrant Trail
It is estimated more than 30,000 settlers came into California over this trail in the year 1849. Near this site outcroppings of rocks still bear the marks of wagon wheels. For those travelers who reached this point the next ordeal was the tortuous descent into Bear Valley.
Note
The first image shows rust stains on the rocks from the wagon wheel hubs. The second image shows a tree bent from the weight of the wagons winched down the rocks using it as an anchor.