Sheep Rock
near Soda
Springs is a major crossroads of history, geology and
geography. Here the valley floor was lifted by two major volcanic
eruptions that changed the course of the Bear River. The 55 mile
Highline Recreational Trail starts here. The Oregon and California
Trails made their first parting here and later the Oregon Shortline
Railroad came through to serve the Northwest.
The naturally carbonated water of
Hooper Springs
(left) in Soda Springs was a delight to Oregon Trail
encampments between 1840-1900 and still is to modern
travelers.
The wagons had traveled thirty miles that
day from the previous camp at Clover Creek. They always
celebrated having crossed the last of the Rocky Mountains.
From there it was all downhill following the river to
Oregon.
The photo above right is of the Oregon Trail Country Club
Golf Course at
Soda
Springs where golfers can hit their golf balls right
through the original wagon ruts still intact from the trail.
The
National Oregon/California Trail Center (left) at
Montpelier makes a very good representation of the life on
the Trail using movies, paintings, displays and live actors
in period costume. The Center is located on the spot of the
actual encampment.
You can learn more about the historical migration across America of
more than a half-million people who traveled to the
Willamette Valley in Oregon in search of farmland and others
who left the Oregon Trail for California in search of gold.
Pocatello has created the Fort Hall Replicato
give visitors the opportunity to experience the past
firsthand. It is located in upper Ross Park next to the
Pocatello Zoo.
From there they traveled along the Snake River
to the next campsite at the present day Massacre Rocks State Park west of American
Falls. The park has campsites for tents and RVs. The visitor
center has a number of artifacts and diaries form early
wagon travelers.
Sheep
Rock
near 
The naturally carbonated water of
