Devil's Gate, Martin's Cove, Split Rock

After visiting Independence Rock, we traveled another 6 miles west to Devil's Gate.  This is another landmark the emigrants looked for on the trail.  You can definitely see it from Independence Rock, we saw it from the roadway as we dropped down into Sweetwater Valley.  Devil's Gate is where the Sweetwater passes through the granite rocks, causing a deep chasm.  The emigrants did not pass through here but a mile to the south along Rattlesnake Pass.

Devil's Gate ahead to right of road - look for V in rock

Pretty impressive to see.  And to see it more than 20 miles away.  Reminded me of when we saw Chimney Rock and could see Jail House Rock much farther away, two prominent points that the emigrants looked for.

History of Devil's Gate

Photo of photo of Sweetwater River running through Gate

From ridge by Rattlesnake Pass

Great view of V of Devil's Gate - Rattlesnake Pass  to right

Martin's Cove is an area at the base of Devil's Gate where a group of Mormon's had to stop and hunker down during a bad snow storm.  This was Martin's Handcart Company, left Iowa City much too late to safely get to Salt Lake City before snowfall.  Long story short, many lives were lost from the harshness of the weather and nothing to eat, waiting for help which did arrive but after many lives perished.  A  pioneer Tom Sun purchased the land in 1872 and had a thriving ranch, the Mormon Church purchased the land and buildings in 1997 from the estate with the idea of protecting the history that is so important to the Church and the fate of the Martin's Handcart Company.

Original buildings of Tom Sun ranch, Devil's Gate right behind

Handcarts lined up

We stopped at the Mormon Handcart Historic Site, had no idea what it was about.  Long story short, the Mormon Church purchased the Sun Ranch and today it's a working ranch with visitors able to see the history of a group of Mormons who almost perished.  An Elder greeted us after we parked the car, and talked us through the museum.  Did not give us any time to read any of the information or displays, he told us what he wanted us to hear.  Very disappointed.  And a sales pitch for the Church, too.  Did not take any pictures inside the museum, just wanted to leave.  The Elder said 14 of his ancestors were part of the Martin's Handcart Company, only one perished during the ordeal.

From Devil's Gate we could see 20 miles to the west to another landmark the emigrants watched for and this is Split Rock.

Split Rock from Devil's Gate - 20 miles away

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