Let The 2018 Treks Begin

Trek Group Passing Martin's Cove

The 2018 Trekking season is now in full swing.  The first group trekked at Martin's Cove on May 31st and it has been nonstop trekking ever since.  There are 106 groups scheduled to come here this year.  These groups represent 16,730 individuals. Though the majority of the trekkers are from Utah, we also have groups coming from Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, California and Canada.

Trek Group hiking out to Devil's Gate

Each group coming to Martin's Cove this year will hike 7-13 miles passing by Devil's Gate, crossing through the Sweet Water River, stopping for programs in the Daniel W. Jones Amphitheater, and hiking into Martin's Cove.

A Young Women's Group Crossing the Sweet Water River

The "Piano Guy" playing at Daniel W. Jones Amphitheater

But, there are more than trek groups coming to Martin's Cove. Others come here to reenact the 1800 Great Western Migration.  The Oregon Trail is a 2,170-miles that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon. Parts of the Oregon Trail spanned Kansas, and nearly all of  Nebraska and Wyoming. Emigrants headed for Oregon in the 1800's went with the promise of lush farmlands and a new beginning. This year, wagons pulled by mules passed by Martin's Cove while reenacting the Oregon migration.  The missionaries enjoyed visiting with these modern day pioneers.

One of several Mule Drawn Wagons
passing Devil's Gate by Martin's Cove

In the mid 1960’s a group of California horse and trail enthusiasts banned together and started doing re-enactments of the Pony Express. Each year they extended their ride further east and in 1980 they were riding and carrying mail the entire distance between Sacramento, California and St. Joseph, Missouri. Today the spirit and memory of the Pony Express is kept alive by the "Annual Re-ride", which is held in June of each year. The riders and horses, with the mail they carry, travel east in even numbered years and west in odd numbered years. This year they traveled from Sacramento, stopping at Martin's Cove on June 26th for lunch, and to change riders and horses.

The Pony Express Riding on the
 National Historic Trail near Martin's Cove

The Pony Express  changing Horses and Riders

2018 proves to be a very exciting year at Martin's Cove for those who come here to visit, for those who come here to reenact the Great Western Migration, and those who come here to remember the Martin Handcart Company.  For all those who come to Martin's Cove, regardless the reason, it is a memorable, life changing experience.  We hope you too are having a wonderful summer, by making a difference in the lives of all those you meet.
Elder and Sister Bowden