Hayfork in Trinity County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Jedediah Strong Smith 1799 - 1831

Photographed by Harry Contos, June 20, 2026

1. Jedediah Strong Smith 1799 - 1831 Marker

Inscription. In 1826, Jedediah Smith, an experienced trapper & explorer, entered what was to become California. On April 17, 1828, Smith's expedition entered Trinity territory near Wildwood along Hayfork Creek, becoming the first non-native Americans into the area. This was also the first contact with the local indigenous people. On the 18th, Smith followed the creek into the Hayfork Valley. The expedition continued down the creek and reached the Hyampom Valley on the 22nd. After resting briefly, they followed the South Fork of the Trinity River north to the main stem of the Trinity. The expedition followed the Trinity to the Klamath River and eventually on to the Pacific Ocean.

Jedediah Smith's stay in the Trinity area was short, however his maps, journals and geographic descriptions of the Trinity Klamath area proved invaluable to future fur trappers, immigrants, and gold miners that helped open the entire region.
Dedicated June 20, 2026 (6031)
by the Ancient and Honorable Order of
E Clampus Vitus Trinitarianus Chapter 62

Erected 2026 by E Clampus Vitus Trinitarianus Chapter 62.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1828.

Location. 40° 33.199′ N, 123° 11.316′ W. Marker is in Hayfork, California, in Trinity County. It is on California 3 (California Route 3), on the left when traveling west. Located in the Hayfork Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6841 CA-3, Hayfork CA 96041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Shasta Cascade,

on the Coast Ranges,

and in the Klamath Mountains.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and specifically in the Pacific Northwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kellogg Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Japanese Bomb Balloon (approx.

Photographed by Harry Contos, June 20, 2026

2. Jedediah Strong Smith 1799 - 1831 Marker

0.6 miles away); Salt Creek School (approx. 5.6 miles away); Big Flat – Big Bar (approx. 13.1 miles away); Junction City Centennial (approx. 14.1 miles away); The La Grange Mine (approx. 16.3 miles away); Moving Mountains... (approx. 16.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Jedediah Smith (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

Jedediah Strong Smith (January 6, 1799 – May 27, 1831) was an American clerk, transcontinental pioneer, frontiersman, hunter, trapper, author, cartographer, mountain man and explorer of the Rocky Mountains, the Western United States, and the Southwest during the early 19th century. After 75 years of obscurity following his death, Smith was rediscovered as the American whose explorations led to the use of the 20-mile (32 km)-wide South Pass as the dominant route across the Continental Divide for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

(Submitted on July 21, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2026, by Harry Contos of Weaverville, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2026, by Harry Contos of Weaverville, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.