Near Carey in Blaine County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Goodale's Cutoff
This route, discovered by Donald Mackenzie's fur trade party in 1820, came into use for emigrant wagons in 1852. Indian hostility along the regular Oregon Trail to the south led Timothy Goodale to bring a large emigrant party of Idaho pioneers this way in 1862, and after that, the road was known as Goodale's Cutoff.
Erected by Idaho Historical Society. (Marker Number 305.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 43° 22.778′ N, 113° 43.239′ W. Marker is near Carey, Idaho, in Blaine County. Marker is on U.S. 20/26, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carey ID 83320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Water and Lava (here, next to this marker); Pronghorn Passage (approx. 5.6 miles away); a different marker also named Goodale's Cutoff (approx. 5.6 miles away); Big Cinder Butte (approx. 5.6 miles away); Just Down the Road (approx. 8.4 miles away); Silent Cone (approx. 8.4 miles away); Volcanoes Along the Rift (approx. 8.4 miles away); Are We Loving Them to Death? (approx. 9.2 miles away).
Regarding Goodale's Cutoff. Goodale's Cutoff departed the Oregon Trail at Fort Hall, crossed the Snake River Plain past Southern Butte to Lost River, and then headed west across the Camas Prairie. Camas Prairie provided an approach to the Boise region that stayed north of the broad valley of the Snake. The cutoff rejoined the Oregon Trail at Ditto Creek. The 230-mile journey typically took two to three weeks.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Oregon Trail. Goodale's Cutoff (Submitted on January 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Wikipedia entry for Snake River Plain. Idaho Valcanoes (Submitted on January 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,484 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on October 29, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on January 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on September 27, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 3. submitted on September 21, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on January 9, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 27, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.