Panguitch Youth Conference - Martin's Cove and Rocky Ridge - Days 4 & 5

Day 4

Rocky Ridge!

 The 4th morning out dawned beautiful and with hardly a cloud in the sky.  We rose again to the sound of "Good Morning Trekkers!" about 5 am and started getting everyone ready for a very big day - 15 miles big!  Due to BLM restrictions we were only allowed half of our group or 3 companies on the trail at a time and we were to maintain a distance of 1 hour between the 2 groups to "ensure the wildlife a habitat as close to normal as possible."  The first 3 companies left camp at 7:30 - Garrett was in this group and I was truly grateful for his Ma and Pa with whom I knew he'd be safe.  As he left camp however - I couldn't help but think how those early pioneers felt as their families were split and divided due to weather conditions and other circumstances.

 Of the Rocky Ridge, William Clayton in 1848 had wrote "rough, rocky ridges, dangerous to wagons, and ought to be crossed with care."  The trail ascends roughly 700 feet in 2 miles.  However the whole of Rocky Ridge lasts for 5 miles of ascent.  After that, there are 10 miles of rolling hills to reach Rock Creek Hollow.  The conditions for the Willie Handcart Company were horrendous.  That morning they woke to 18 inches of snow and a blizzard to boot.  All in all it was over 27 hours before the last of the emigrants finally passed through this section and into camp.  There are some amazing stories associated with this part of their journey as well as other parts but I would like to expound on two of them.

  Jens and Elsie Neilsen were emigrants from the Netherlands traveling with their son and a girl whom they were entrusted to take to the Salt Lake Valley by the name of Bodil Mortensen.  Jens along with many of the men were terribly weak after having given his rations to his family for so long.  Along the trail he succumbed to the feat asking Elsie to carry on without him.  Unable to leave her once 200 pound husband behind, little 90 pound Elsie loaded him in the cart and carried him over Rocky Ridge and the rest of the way to camp.  Remember this was a journey of 15 miles! 

 Another story is that of James Kirkwood, 11 years old who was entrusted with his 4 year old brother to see safely to camp.  When his little brother was unable to conquer the depth of the snow, James loaded him on his back and carried his little brother over the ridges and all the way to camp, setting him down by the fire and going off a pace and there he died from exhaustion. 

 So again my relief and gratitude were full as I knew Garrett would be in good hands and that there would be good weather in which to travel until I would be able to see him again! 

The second group left at 8:30 am.  One of our EMT's was unable because of a foot injury to go on Rocky Ridge so I was asked by our medical team to fill in for her.  It was a busy job - running up and down my little company making sure all were drinking plenty, blisters were attended to, and chaffing was kept under control. 

 Just under an hour we reached the first milestone for the day - the Lower Monument on Rocky Ridge only about 1 mile away from camp.  I wish I had taken a picture of the scene behind this monument as you can see the ridges from the handcarts worn into the hillside.  There were maybe 4-6 paths they followed down to the river at this crossing.  It is under private ownership and we were unable to go into this historic campsite at which the Saints had prepared for the almost seemingly impossible journey ahead. 

 All along the trail there are these markers denoting the original trail.  This trail was known as the Oregon Trail, the trail leading to California during the gold rush, the Mormon Pioneer trail and the Pony Express Trail.

 The last of Rocky Ridge is just that - totally rocky.  These kids and their families were amazing getting their carts up the hill and in a few cases one of their family members!

 Once at the top of Rocky Ridge there is another memorial - the Upper Monument to those in the Willie Handcart Company.  Although the Willie Company had been "rescued" by this time, there were insufficient wagons to help them across this part of the trail.  Those in the Martin Handcart Company were rescued by wagons by the time they had hit this part of the trail. 

Three companies of the Panguitch Stake gathered on Rocky Ridge for a group photo.

 Once Rocky Ridge was conquered there was a little still left over for us to enjoy on a short jaunt downhill.  

 There was a mud bog after Rocky Ridge which again because of BLM restrictions of staying to the trail required a few willing and strong YM to pull each cart through.  The rest of us were able to walk closely to the edge and pass by on dry land.  I was truly grateful for these "angels" who served the whole group!

 

 There were several more water crossings.  This one doesn't look so muddy but the steep descent and ascent was a challenge.  A few YW even got into all the mud and water action!  Above is the descent and below is the ascent out of the water. 

 Yet another river crossing.  Well maybe more like a creek!

 Taking a rest stop.  This part of the trail was the hardest for me - the last 2 miles!  All I could think was aren't we there yet!  The Pa that was carrying my medical bag kept telling the kids "only 1/2 mile more, and after that - only 1/2 mile more!"  The kids would roll their eyes but laugh anyways.

 This was the only marker I saw that actually said something different than the Mormon/Oregon Trail. 

 This bishop helped doing double duty - pulling a family's handcart for a spell and pushing another's at the same time!

 This YW decided to re-enact Jens and Elsie Nielsen's story for about the last mile into camp.  Wow is all I can say!  Our youth are amazing!

 McKenna and one of her best friends Frecia at the finally resting point - Rock Creek Hollow! 

 After reaching camp, taking a dip in the Sweetwater River and enjoying an ample dinner - we took a reverent walk through the grave site and memorial to those in the Willie Company who perished over Rocky Ridge.  13 were buried in a common grave with 2 buried close by who had dug that grave.  On the left notice James Kirkwood's name and on the right notice Bodil Mortensen.  Bodil by the time she reached camp was assigned the task of gathering fire wood.  She gathered a few sprigs of sagebrush, sat next to a handcart wheel and died.  Jens Nilson - Elsie and Jens's only son also perished from the day's journey.  This was such a solemn, sacred and holy area.  I can't imagine their suffering, their conditions in which they traveled, or their faith at facing such a task.  I am so grateful for them and for their sacrifices.  I have no doubt but what their spirits are still on this trail - helping and aiding modern day youth and visitors to know who's work this is - the Savior's. 

 The Valley Boys who rescued those suffering Saints are now known as the First Rescue.  Members of the Riverton, Wyoming Stake have provided the Second Rescue in performing the temple work for those who lost their lives on the trail.  Now as we traveled with our youth we prayed a Third Rescue would take place - strengthening their testimonies and providing them with an experience with which they would be able to draw from for the rest of their lives.

  After our walk we entered the hollow where the Saints sought refuge.  Here there were several benches and the time was turned over to the youth by our Stake President and Stake YM President for the bearing of their testimonies.  It was turned over strictly to the youth only.  After 1 and 1/2 hours - the Stake YM President with tears in his eyes dismissed most of the youth back to their seats after seeing that it was approaching 10 pm - the camp's curfew.  There were still about 40 youth in line waiting to bear their testimonies.  McKenna was able to get up, but cried for those who were unable to participate.  The Stake YM President then asked the congregation to kneel and offered a prayer so wonderfully powerful I doubt there was a dry eye around.  It was an incredibly moving experience!  We then returned to camp full of the Spirit and grateful for our incredible experiences on trek.

Day 5

Going Home!

 The morning dawned on a group hesitant to return to the real world but oh so ready for a hot shower and comfy bed!  We rolled out of camp at 9 am again on our 6 buses and arrived in SLC at This Is The Place State Park around 2 pm for a late lunch of pizza - yum!

The Panguitch Utah Stake Trekkers!

 Panguitch 2nd Ward Trekkers!

McKenna, myself and Garrett

 Again I am so thankful to have been able to participate in this experience with our Stake's Youth and especially with McKenna and Garrett.  They are amazing and wonderful and I am so incredibly grateful for those handcart companies who suffered so much to give so much to us!  What a wonderful time - one I will never forget!

 The following Sunday after Trek was Fast Sunday.  Here is the last miracle of all relating to our experiences.  Almost all the youth in our ward bore their testimony.  But here is the miracle - testimony meeting lasted all 3 hours of church!  It didn't really seem that long.  I would look up at the clock and think "oh it's Sunday School time" and then later "oh it's Relief Society time".  It was an incredible meeting and one I doubt will happen again - well at least until the next trek!