Wednesday in Wyoming - November 24, 2021

 

Another landmark on the Wyoming portion of the Oregon Trail is Devil's Gate. Although the name sounds ominous, this was a welcome stop along the trail, because the fissure in the rock was created by the Sweetwater River.

If you've traveled through central Wyoming, you know it's a mostly arid region, making the presence of a river and the fresh water it provided a reason for the pioneers to give thanks.

As for the origin of the name, here's a link with a possible explanation.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- April 15, 2015

The Oregon Trail -- Part 3

Have you ever heard of Devil's Gate?  If you were a pioneer on the Oregon Trail, you would have.  This Sweetwater River gorge was considered one of the major landmarks along the way.  Although wagons could not traverse the narrow pass, the emigrants found the area with its forage for livestock and wood for fuel a good place to camp.  

Besides the grass and wood, the site had the advantage of being partially blocked from the wind, thanks to those high cliffs.  Modern visitors can take a footpath to the gap or simply enjoy the natural beauty from the road.