Handcart Trek: Mapleton Stake

Handcart Trek: Mapleton Stake

The year following our 14^th ward trek to Wyoming  our Mapleton Stake decided to also do a trek there. I was asked to go along to photograph it and Marie was assigned to go as a member of the support team as well doing the cooking for the group. This time we went in a number of buses and also stopped along the way before getting there. We traveled to Martin’s Cove for the first night and then to Sixth Water and Rock Creek Hollow the second day. Loren had decided not to go this time so we only had Brittany from the family except for a future member of our family that was also there at which time we did not know she would be joining our family. Rachell Morey was there with our ward and would later find Loren at college and fall in love with him. The pictures I have from that trek are special since they included Rachelle.  

This trek was different from the year before but special none the less. When we went to Martin’s Cove this time we stopped just before going up the cove trail and had a fireside of sorts with President Collin Allan. There was also one of the missionaries who spoke to us there and explained the scared nature of this hallowed spot to the youth and leaders. It was very good and I learned more about the cove that I had not learned previously. We then went on to the top where the missionaries again spoke to us and showed us one of the tree stumps that had been mentioned in diaries of the time. It was near the top and had been cut down by the people suffering during that snow storm. We later also went through the Sweetwater River and again a water fight was enjoyed more than the winter crossing could have ever been for the pioneers. I suppose other pioneers who came across at different times might have enjoyed the crossing but not those with the Martin and Willie handcart groups.

We also went over to Sixth Water after Martin’s Cove but this time we had to walk 17 miles to get to Rock Creek. The year before the buses were allowed to drive right to Rocky Ridge but this time the state government had required the buses stop three miles further away and everyone was dropped off there. The trek then was 17 miles and not 14 as the year before. It was still very good and this time we had an event about 10 miles or so into the trek when one of the young ladies became very ill and the support team had to help get her out and down to Rock Creek Campground.

We enjoyed this trek as well and learned more again but did not have the experience with Loren that had made the previous one so memorable. He knew he didn’t want to tackle it a second time and thus had not decided to come with us.

I am thankful for the pioneers who came across the plains and although I am not aware of any that were in those two companies that suffered so much death I did have pioneer forefathers that came across the plains earlier with Brigham Young. To them I am very thankful as well and for the testimonies that they carried with them and have passed along down through to me. I am thankful for this gospel and especially for my Savior and the Atonement. I do not yet understand it fully but know fully that I could not do it for myself and thus without Him could not be looking forward to the times when I will get to meet my ancestors who passed their precious love of the Lord and Savior and of Heavenly Father and the gospel down to me.