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Oregon National Historic TrailThousands of iron-rimmed emigrant wagon wheels have carved a deep cut into solid rock at near Guernsey, WY.
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Oregon National Historic Trail
Guernsey Ruts
Photo image of deep wagon ruts at Guernsey.
NPS Image
Photo image of deep wagon ruts at Guernsey.

7. Guernsey Ruts (Deep Rut Hill) - Guernsey, Wyoming

At this site, where the trail was forced away from the river and crossed a ridge of soft sandstone, the track is worn to a depth of five feet, creating some of the most spectacular ruts remaining along the entire length of the Oregon-California Trail. The geography of the area dictated that practically every wagon that went west crossed the ridge in exactly the same place, with impressive results.

Located about three miles south of Guernsey.


Back to The Suggested Trail Sites to Visit page.

 
Map image showing the location for the Guernsey Ruts.
NPS Image
Map image showing the location for the Guernsey Ruts.
Laurel Hill descent near Mt. Hood Oregon  

Did You Know?
Emigrant wagons headed for Oregon in the 1840s-1860s tied off their wagons with ropes lashed around trees or held them back with stout logs that locked the wheels inorder to descend this rocky slope on Mt. Hood - named Laurel Hill by early travelers from the resemblance of native leaves to laurel.
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Last Updated: November 01, 2006 at 13:07 EST