Following the Oregon Trail Thru Wyoming (short version)

[@brendanadams3796]

I would love it if someday the entire length of the Oregon Trail could be restored... I realize that is not practical in some places, but alternate routes could be constructed where it is impossible to restore the original trail. I would love to just once follow the entire trail from Missouri to Oregon, as so many did nearly 200 years ago. This sentiment reminds me of the song "Northwest Passage" by Stan Rogers: "Ah, for just one time, I would take the Northwest Passage..." Thanks for the video.

[@Chris1966-]

Why don’t you? It’s been walked recently (2014) and cycled by Don Weinell ( he’s written a great book about it).

[@tedwalker1370]

interesting idea. If it could be done it would make a great bicycling trail. Even a walking trail. Give people a feeling of what it was really like.

[@flyingdragon6275]

I feel original trail path should be kept as intact as possible With new path parallel to it

[@twhis9843]

@@tedwalker1370riding mountain bikes across the country in 1995 my wife and I met a cyclist-artist who had been riding the trail for 2 years. He had numerous sketch books of all the great landmarks and knew the history and current politics of the trail like nobody’s business. He spent the 94/95 winter in a backpacking tent in Eastern Wyoming. Now that is cold! His name was Mike Barlow and it was a great pleasure to spend 3 days with him and hear his history. There is an artist with a studio in Lander with the same name who does Western art. I wonder if it is the same fellow. We also cycled much of the trail thru Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon. It blows your mind to think of the journey and see the ruts. Amazing

[@barrysnell6775]

​@@flyingdragon6275Continued use is the only way to truly preserve it. If people don't pass over the trail, it'll eventually just be taken back over by nature and someday it'll just be a string of empty, boring fields.

[@tomriggle3217]

I live in Wyoming I visited most of these places what an awesome state lotta history

[@nettiewilson7196]

My great uncle at 19 got his friend and two wagons and oxen and went to Oregon from Alton, Ill. My cousin , living in Oregon, did family research and found our Great Uncle wrote a log in his travels and he sent it home every time he came across a Telegraph. In Alton the Telegrapher who wrote a newspaper kept the log and we got a copy. He did not write much about everyday but it makes me think that I have never done anything in my life to match what he went through. One of the major problems was finding food for the Oxen. This was in 1851. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@janicekennah1824]

Hiked the Oregon trail from Rock Creek, NE to Gering, NE. Then over this summer hiked 75 miles of it here in Wyoming. Can’t wait to get back on it in other areas!! What a time! Great video, thank you very much. Looking forward to your “rest of Wyoming on into Idaho and then Oregon” sections.

[@wenfritsch4647]

I was in fort Laramie a few hours ago. I was very impressed. Thanks for showing independence rock and fort bridger which I have not visited

[@cindyjamison3417]

Your video was excellent. Thank you. It brought back great memories when my wife and I visited Lyman Wyoming. We also went to the abandoned town where back in the day charcoal was made. When you stand in these places and consider the life that was lived; it is humbling. God bless.

[@donalddday7741]

stopped at Independence rock a few times when i drove semis, have a ancestor on my moms side who name is on this rock he was in the Army

[@atlasking6110]

I live in northern CO and have visited many of these OT landmarks in WY. Thanks for the video!

[@shirleybalinski4535]

Dang,America too big a country to see & explore all one would want to!! Life long dream to travel West & experience some of this. It has been a fascination since childhood.

[@2259r3z]

Good info. I was born and raised in Ohio but now live on the west coast. I still go back to Ohio frequently to visit friends and family, and being a lifelong history buff and outdoors lover, I try to take a different route every time and include as many historical and natural points of interest as time and my endurance will allow. Over the years I've done parts of the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails, but during my return trip west last month I made a big effort to fill in parts of those trails I had yet to visit. I followed the trails through Nebraska and Wyoming with particular attention to the sites where wagon tracks or inscriptions can still be seen, then I branched off to Salt Lake City, Promontory Point, and ended by crossing Donner Pass and descending into Sacramento. I think my favorite part of this spring's explorations was Independence Rock and Devil's Gate, which are within sight of each other. The whole Sweetwater valley is incredibly beautiful in that area, no doubt enhanced by our perfect May weather on the day we were there. The adventure pup and I walked up the less steep but still challenging back side of Independence Rock and spent about an hour reading inscriptions and just enjoying the view. We also explored Devil's Gate and Martin's Cove from several vantage points and read some first person accounts written by those who passed through the area in the middle 1800s. We skipped South Pass this time because I explored it a couple of summers ago by Jeep. To anyone interested in that chapter of American history, I highly recommend doing what's talked about in this video.

[@lspthrattan]

Well, good heavens, I didn't know you had this channel too! I've been subscribed to your pottery channel for a while now; was looking for info on the Oregon Trail this morning (thinking about a cross country hike) and here you are! This should be interesting...I already know from your other channel that you've done real study before you ever turn on the camera and open your mouth. Thank you!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Julia. I haven't done much with this channel since 2020 I do have plans to make more content at some point.

[@forrestmosby7118]

Nicely done👍

[@1fdfowler]

We enjoyed your video very much. Thanks for your sharing and the time and effort you spent. The music was a nice touch.

[@michaelsmith2733]

Really enjoyed it. I used to be a reenactor of the fur trade, built rifles,knives etc. from the period. I have spent a lot of time in MT.,ID, OR and WA. but never have done the whole OR. trail.

[@pamelaheckert9967]

Thank you for this video, Andy. I'm writing a book about a young soldier who was on the Utah Expedition in 1857. I've been to Ft Laramie and Ft Bridger at different times, but haven't done what you did, following it along the Sweetwater. The video really brought it to life. I especially needed to see how the South Pass looked as some of the written accounts confused me. I've read the diaries of Pvt Scott, Capt. Tracy and Gove, Col. Johnston, and finally the bugler Wm. Drown who amazingly had more details and dates about their progress across the trail. I hope to publish it in 2025.

[@tomriggle3217]

Thank you very interesting video Wyoming is an awesome beautiful state

[@MicroValley]

Great video! Thank you for making this. I’ve always wanted to see these places in person

[@Avidav]

Love your videos, I am planning to drive the Oregon trail (or next to it) this summer.

[@frankkoller2622]

Some of my ancestors traveled the Oregon trail in the great migration. I just subscribed! Thank you.

[@goingawayguide]

Really nicely done video - thank you!

[@madmike5621]

Thanks for a great family weekend trip idea! 👍 I have budding history buffs. They'll want to go to same places you went ... to be "Authentic" to the video. 😊

[@alwayslearning4127]

Very enjoyable. Nice family and what a fun trip to do together!

[@rvvanlife]

I so wish I could follow the trail like you did here. Good for you for being able to do this. I hope one day I could do this

[@oootandaboot9431]

Dear Sir…sincere thanks for the time and effort byou have put into these videos…inspiring. I am about to travel from the west coast of Scotland to Rapid city, to visit for a couple of days an old friend who is not so well. I have an additional 10 days after the visit to do some solo traveling. Having watched your video ( and done a fair bit of pre-planning) I intend to head down from the Black hills via the Badlands NP and Wounded Knee ( and now )to fort Laramie and head west to Casper . Weather permitting up to Billings on the Bozeman or Bridger on to Little Bighorn … Devils Tower, Black hills , Deadwood and then home again to Scotland. This might seem like a lot in such a short amount of time, in February . However …I will stand on the top of Independance Rock ( even if glazed in ice and snow lol )and think about those that passed that way and those that were driven out of their homeland. History is such a great leveller , without understanding what went before we can never expect to move ahead. Sincere regards KH Tiree, Argyll

[@TheBandit7613]

Don't come to the US again without visiting Sequoia National Forest. It will change something in you. Trees as tall as skyscrapers that were around when they pyramids were being built. It's quiet, maybe some thunder in the distance. One of the most amazing places on the planet.

[@Eryeahmaybe]

Awesome video guys!

[@oldugly9295]

Thanks for taking us along on your trip. One of the best things is when you can travel on the exact same roads and trails that were used so many years ago. Years ago I used to own a property that had the 1800s BC gold rush trail running through it, I built a tiny cabin on that trail, it was the best place to go for our summers, we did so much exploring. keep it up. thanks tom

[@MelPeltier]

So glad I came across your video! Very informative. I’m taking my girls from Colorado to Oregon and Washington this summer. We are going to follow the trail from Wyoming across to the Pacific.

[@ronellis8312]

Really enjoyed your video. Thank you for posting it.

[@johncallahan2256]

That settles it for me. It’s Boston to Laramie and on to Bridger this summer. Hoping to make Independence Ledge on the fourth. See you there.

[@mitchellmaytorena1137]

Good work buddy!

[@robertwatkins364]

All of this makes me think of the movie "Mountain Men" with Brian Kieth, and Charelton Heston. A lot of that movie was filmed in the Wind River area.

[@ejtipp4650]

Nice job sir, Really enjoyed it! New sub here!

[@connieeaton48]

Very good video please make more thank you.

[@Steve.Cutler]

Thousands of bodies are buried along this trail.

[@_krimzen_]

Great series, Andy! Enjoyed it very much. 👍🏽

[@metallampman]

There is a pony express marker at ft laramie ..

[@peterkvoriak6600]

Beautiful video❤

[@Chris1966-]

Theres a great book by Don Weinell who cycled the whole trail a few years ago. Really worth reading.

[@mr.billofcourse.2893]

Have to get out there sometime. I live outside Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. Looks a whole lot different than here. I'm a Civil War Buff but also enjoy history of the American West. I only have been out west once and that was in Colorado.

[@yeshuas5172]

Thank you.

[@westwardgo4711]

You're welcome.

[@BrianMurphy-dm9vw]

That country near Prospect Hill may be bleak to you but I consider it one of the most beautiful places in the world.

[@theresaleek7750]

I have been fascinated with the Oregon Trail for years. It's living history. Great videos 👍. I wonder if people are allowed to searching the soil for things left behind??

[@donalddday7741]

i was at Guernsey looking at the ruts when someone from town shot at me 3 times, there was a lady walking her dog said she got down on the ground when the shots went over her head, called cops took a report then left and i will never go to that place again, that was in 2006

[@edsmercina7157]

Thanks

[@onedollah49]

Good job

[@johnkiefer3768]

thanks!

[@laureenkinnaman]

Where can I find the video for your trek through Idaho?

[@wirednstoned]

I'm reading a historical fiction book about the travels along the Oregon Trail and like to fact check. Thank you.

[@kimberlyolsen9416]

It's too bad you didn't go into Martin's Cove which is right by Devil's Gate, because it's a very spiritual and important part of Wyoming history of the pioneers too. I live 60 miles from the Cove and go there as often as I can.

[@westwardgo4711]

I actually did but didn't see anything there worth filming. The scene at the very beginning of this video was filmed there.

[@kimberlyolsen9416]

@@westwardgo4711 I'm sad that you think there was nothing worth filming at Martin's Cove. The miracles and history that took place is an important part of the trail. I'm an historian and along with the Oregon trail migration the Mormon migration influenced this country clear to California. My ancestors took that trail some of their family members dying along the way so Martin's Cove IS WORTH FILMING!

[@wendlpayne]

What about Idaho?

[@TrulyUnfortunate]

When I lived in Junction Texas on the S. Llano river a guy down the roads father had a 600 acer,or as they're called a section of land. He showed me around the property and took me to a bluff overlooking what used to be the only trail into town. It was common for outlaws to sit on this bluff and watch for the Texas Rangers and other law enforcement coming into town. Junction was a known hiding place for outlaws since the border was only 100 miles away. He told me to look closely at a small soft spot on the limestone bluff. I did and said I dont see anything. He asked if I had to take a leak since we'd been drinking beer. I said yeah I could take a piss,he told me to piss on a single rock and low and behold there were initials and a date carved into the rock that showed once I pissed on em. The initials were C S and the date was 1856. Man I love that kind of shit!!!!

[@gerardfenn3988]

Seeing the lady walk out on the trail with a lot of scrub-brush makes me think of, "Where are the Rattlesnakes"??? Whew!!!

[@Bill-xx2yh]

While up on the Divide, I saw a discount for ice cream at WALL DRUG!?

[@sircampbell1249]

Born in Wyoming, welcome

[@BigElCat]

The cuts in the rock where made by chisels and hammers. Not exactly ruts.

[@wendylabonte9330]

Nice video but please talk into or face towards the mike while speaking....was not able to hear all you said.....good otherwise, thanks for showing it....brings back memories...

[@raygongaware8647]

Camera moves to fast.

[@godsgarden1573]

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

[@ProfessorGareth]

I enjoyed this video. Your wife or partner there, she's really sweet too I'll try and catch more videos yal have.

[@korpilo]

Spray painting with camera... keep camera still and let subject move... if you pan, do it slow..very slow..

[@RicOshayed1]

Ironic that Independence Rock is behind a prison fence. 😢

[@mumruf]

The native Americans got forgotten 😢 the real AMERICANS but i like your Video

[@fokkerd3red618]

The settlers back then didn't have cars, but they didn't have a planet where Nuclear proliferation exists like we have today, they were fortunate they didn't have to see what devastation humans have brought forth on mother earth and continue to do so.

[@TrulyUnfortunate]

It's a shame they have to fence in our history like that. Why people cant just admire US history and not deface it is saddening.

[@RoughRide]

Motion sickness is real.