Explore two iconic stops on the Oregon Trail!
I first found out about the existence of Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff from that old school computer game probably found in every school in the 1990s, Oregon Trail. These places were two of the landmarks of the game. I figured they would be good place to start my two-week camping trip.
Turns out that Chimney Rock was not only a landmark on the Oregon Trail, but also the California Trail (towards the gold) and the Morman Trail (towards Utah). It soars 325 ft (100 m) above the surrounding landscape. Chimney Rock would have been visible for miles around, making it a good landmark to spot to make sure you are heading the right direction.
Jana Irving It is also very recognizable, even to people that may have not known what it would exactly look like.
Jana Irving A town would eventually be built nearby, so therefore, there must be a cemetery close by.
Jana Irving This was the only tombstone with a story. Looks like Mary Murray Murdoch never made it to Utah.
Jana Irving A tomb with a view.
Further westward on the Oregon Trail is another landmark, Scotts Bluff, now a National Monument close to the Nebraska/Wyoming border. Scotts Bluff was named after a fur company clerk, Hiram Scott, who died nearby in 1824. Local native groups called the bluff, “the hill that is hard to go around.” In fact, the pioneers heading westward had issues getting around the bluff as well. The surrounding land is very rutted. A road would eventually be built through Mitchell Pass in the 1850s, allowing for easier transportation past the bluff.
Jana Irving Early morning view of Scotts Bluff from the other side of the North Platte River.
Jana Irving Scotts Bluff from later in the morning. Mitchell Pass is to the left of the bluff.
Jana Irving Of course, they have a few wagons on the old Oregon Trail route.
Jana Irving It’s not a small bluff.
Jana Irving The trail continues through Mitchell Pass. The trail was probably a bit wider then.
Jana Irving The prairie on the other side of Mitchell Pass.
Jana Irving The entrance of Mitchell Pass was between Sentinel Rock (left) and Eagle Rock.
Jana Irving Kind of looks like a layered cake.
Jana Irving You can drive up Scotts Bluff via a road built by the CCC during the Great Depression. The road is only open when the visitor center is open, so I had to wait a while to go up.
Jana Irving From the North Overlook Trail, you can see the badlands that cover the land between Scotts Bluff and the North Platte River.
Jana Irving More badlands and buttes seen from the South Overlook Trail.
Jana Irving The visitor center as seen from the top of the bluff.
Finally seeing a couple of places, I learned about when I was a kid was pretty cool. Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff may be almost in the middle of nowhere Nebraska, but they played a big role in the history of the America’s westward expansion. They were mile markers along a 2,170 mi (3,490 km) journey across the plains, something to show the travelers that they were just a bit closure to their destination.
Check out my next update where I will be exploring some fossil beds and some toadstoolesque rocks.
