Near Farson in Sublette County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Parting of the Ways

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2016

1. Parting of the Ways Marker

Inscription. This point on the trail is called the Parting-of-the-Ways. The trail to the right is the Sublette or Greenwood Cutoff and to the left is the main route of the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. The Sublette Cutoff was opened in 1844 because it saved 46 miles over the main route. It did require a 50 mile waterless crossing of the desert and therefore was not popular until the gold rush period. The name tells the story, people who had traveled a thousand miles together separated at this point. They did not know if they would ever see each other again. It was a place of great sorrow. It was also a place of great decision to cross the desert and save miles or to favor their livestock. About two-thirds of the emigrants chose the main route through Fort Bridger instead of the Sublette Cutoff.

Erected by U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail, and the Oregon Trail series lists.

Location. 42° 15.456′ N, 109° 13.614′ W. Marker is near Farson, Wyoming, in Sublette County. Marker is on Oregon Trail near

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Squaw Road (Federal Route BLM4106). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farson WY 82932, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Little Sandy Crossing (approx. 7½ miles away); a different marker also named The Parting of the Ways (approx. 8.8 miles away); a different marker also named "Parting of the Ways" (approx. 8.8 miles away); a different marker also named Parting of the Ways (approx. 8.8 miles away); The Oregon Trail (approx. 8.8 miles away).

More about this marker. To access the true Parting of the Ways, from Wyoming Highway 28, between mile posts 16 and 17, take Squaw Road (BLM #4106) north about 3 1/2 miles until you located a concrete Oregon/California/Mormon Pioneer/Pony Express post on the left. At this point turn west and take the Oregon Trail for approximately 4 miles.

Regarding Parting of the Ways. This is the TRUE Parting of the Ways. Other Parting of the Ways markers next to Wyoming Highway 28 make reference to the Parting of the Ways, but are mistakenly taken to represent the location of the Parting of the Ways. They do not, they are generally referred to as being False Parting of the Ways monuments.

While Farson, in Sweetwater County, is the nearest town,

Parting of the Ways and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2016

2. Parting of the Ways and Marker

the Parting of the Ways is located in Sublette County.

Parting of the Ways image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2016

3. Parting of the Ways

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2016

4. Parting of the Ways

← F Bridger; → S Cutoff

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,591 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.