Emigrant Trail hikes offered

Staff Reports

GARDNERVILLE, Nev.

Emigrant Trail hikes are offered twice a month through Oct. 10.

Cost is $25 per person. Part of the proceeds benefit the Douglas County Historical Society's Trail to the Promised Land exhibit.

The next hike begins 9 a.m. June 20 at the Burnside Lake turnoff and takes about three hours. The hikes in Hope Valley and are easy, but each hike will be progressively more difficult. Information, 782-2893.

The depressions in the soil made by wagons, animals and pioneers that traveling the trail can still be seen in Hope Valley. The scenery includes a green valley, wildflowers and snow-capped peaks, so bring a camera.

In July the hike follows Devil's Ladder from Carson Pass, where rope and chain marks on the trees where the wagons were hoisted up Devils Ladder and the grooves in the rocks made by the rubbing of chains and ropes are still visible.

The Carson River Route of the Emigrant Trail was the most traveled route during the early years of the California Gold Rush. In 1850, an estimated 50,000 emigrants traveled the route through Carson Valley over Carson and West Pass on their way to The Promised Land.