Near Guernsey in Platte County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Rifle Pit Hill
Cold Springs Camping Ground
The rifle pits also overlook the Cold Spring campground, a popular camping and watering place on the Oregon-California Trail (1841-1868). Another major campground, known as Warm Spring is located on the far side of the ridge to the south. Such springs were vital to emigrants travelling west. The North Platte River, running high and muddy with Rocky Mountain snowmelt, was not fit to drink for man or beast during the time of year the annual emigration passed this way. A still visible branch of the Oregon Trail is located about 500 feet north of Cold Spring.
Other major emigrant trail landmarks in the immediate area include the Oregon Trail Ruts National Historic Site, Register Cliff State Historic Site and a scattering of marked pioneer graves. The Oregon Trail Ruts, where wagon wheel tracks are worn up to five feet deep in a soft sandstone ridge, are the signature trail ruts of the entire Oregon-California-Mormon Trail system. At Register Cliff, passing pioneers carved their signatures, hometown names and the date of their passing into the face of a mile-long bluff beside the North Plate River. Both places present strong visual evidence of the 500,000 westering pioneers who passed this way on their epic journey to Columbia River farmland, California gold fields and the religious freedom of the Great Salt Lake valley. Access to all sites is well marked in the town of Guernsey.
Erected by Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 42° 16.022′ N, 104° 47.419′ W. Marker is near Guernsey, Wyoming, in Platte County. Marker is on U.S. 26 near Wendover Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Guernsey WY 82214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); Grave of Lucindy Rollins (approx. 2 miles away); Encampments in the Guernsey Area (approx. 2.2 miles away); The United States Army and the Oregon Trail (approx. 2.2 miles away); Oregon Trail Ruts (approx. 2.2 miles away); Forts, Stations, and Camps (approx. 2.2 miles away); Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site (approx. 2.2 miles away); The US Army’s Role in Protecting the Oregon Trail is Best Described by the Soldiers (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guernsey.
More about this marker. This marker is about two miles west of Guernsey, WY.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,390 times since then and 157 times this year. Last updated on July 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.