As we drove to Fort Laramie we saw the turn off for Register Cliff and the Oregon Trail Ruts. While at the fort we asked about it, was it worth it, should we go? Of course, we had to go, so close.
Located in a little town called Guernsey, Register Cliff is a large sandstone structure, a cliff, that the emigrants passed on their way west. Many many signatures carved into the side. And the state did it smart here (not so at Independence Rock) - they blocked you from getting too close to either damage what is carved, or, to put any more carvings into it.
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| Names were more visible here than Independence Rock |
We read the sign as we approached as saw that signatures from Ohio far outnumbered any other state. Why was this? We can only assume that the Mormons who left Kirkland, Ohio way back when to travel to Navoo, Illinois and then get kicked out of there to begin their trek to Salt Lake City was maybe the reason why so many from Ohio? But. Those Mormons came from New York first so I thought maybe this was not the reason. We will never know. What is amazing - Register Cliff is never mentioned in any journal yet Independence Rock is. Wonder why?
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| Because a lot from Kirkland, Ohio's Mormon temple? Don't know. |
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| Turned around from Cliff and the North Platte right there |
Walked around the structure, then drove on to the Oregon Trail Ruts which was just 2 miles away. Very very impressive. To think over 550,000 people traveled by here in the 1800's and their trace is still here in the form of the ruts from the wagons or handcarts. Very cool.
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| Reference to Ohio again - Yeah! |
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| Next supply stop is Fort Bridger - 368 miles away |
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