Oregon Trail Parting of the Ways

At this windswept junction in the Red Desert, 19th-century wagon trains faced their most crucial decision — take the Sublette Cutoff’s brutal 50-mile waterless stretch to California, or follow the longer but safer Oregon Trail through South Pass. Deep wagon ruts still scar the alkaline earth where families said goodbye forever, not knowing which route would claim fewer lives. The BLM interpretive trail follows original ruts past emigrant graves and abandoned wagon parts scattered across this high desert moonscape at 6,800 feet elevation.

Easy driving on well-maintained gravel suitable for any vehicle, though high winds can sandblast paint. Best visited May through September when weather cooperates. The nearest fuel and water are 30 miles in Farson, so come prepared. This isn’t technical driving — it’s a history lesson carved in stone and sage. Walk the wagon ruts at sunset when the light reveals every wheel track, and feel the weight of 300,000 emigrants who passed this way seeking their American dream.