Near Ormiston in Excel Rural Municipality No. 71, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)
Wood Mountain-Qu'Appelle Trail
Preserve Our Heritage
| | Saskatchewan Historic Site | |
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 19, 2022
1. Wood Mountain-Qu'Appelle Trail Marker
One of the most important early trails passed at this point. Linking the early Metis settlements at Wood Mountain and Fort Qu'Appelle, it was in frequent use from the 1860's. In 1881 Sitting Bull, the famous Sioux Leader. Passed over this trail on the way to Fort Qu'Appelle to plead for permanent sanctuary in Canada.
In 1883 the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police were established in Regina and this part of the trail became part of the regular patrol route linking the Wood Mountain Post with its Regina Headquarters. There is evidence that plans were laid in the fall of 1885 to rescue Louis Riel from his prison cell in Regina and spirit him across border via this trail. For many years the trail was used by early settlers and ranchers along its route.
A Saskatchewan History Site
Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources
Erected by Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 49° 47.444′ N, 105° 21.359′ W. Marker is near Ormiston, Saskatchewan, in Excel Rural Municipality
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Saskatchewan. It is also in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also Ruperts Land.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 19, 2022
2. Wood Mountain-Qu'Appelle Trail Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
