We Made It! The End of the Great Basin

We Made It! The End of the Great Basin. Genoa - Mormon Station. , You’re now standing at the western edge of the Great Basin. If you were an emigrant headed to California, you would have entered the Great Basin 450 miles back along the trail in southern Idaho, or 500 miles back in Salt Lake City if you had taken the Hastings Cutoff. , The mountains in front of this sign, separating you from California and its promise of gold or land, are only 200 yards away. After making it this far, you would have experienced a tremendous feeling of accomplishment – you had reached the last great physical barrier standing between you and your long dreamed-of goal. Yet, looking up at the foothills of the mighty Sierra Nevada, you might also have wondered if you, your animals, and your wagon had enough remaining strength to cross these mountains. , Many emigrant parties rested in at this place, letting their animals eat the lush grass and regain their strength before pushing over the Sierra Nevada. At the little store that has been preserved here, emigrants could purchase or trade for supplies. From here the trail goes south to the headwaters of the Carson River, and then west over the mountains into California., (caption for lower left picture:) Oxen Cattle used as draft animals. Especially suited for pulling heavy loads, they cost less than mules, were able to live off trailside grasses, and were less likely to be stolen by native bands. , (caption for lower right picture:) Pack Train A few emigrants used pack mules to carry their belongings along the trail. They had the advantage of speed over the slower-moving wagons, but provided no shelter from the elements.