Extreme trekkin': Teens follow in forefathers' footsteps to understand sacrifice and faith

Pushing and pulling 400-pound handcarts through tall grass and brush, across dusty unpaved trails and over rocks and logs, it didn't take long for a group of Centerville teens to start complaining.

"I want to go in my swimming pool," one girl said, grimacing while drinking sun-warmed water taken from the back of a handcart. "I want to eat at Wendy's," a boy said, after a lunch of bread, jam, apples and beef jerky.

"I wish this thing had an air conditioner," another teenager said as he took a brief break in a patch of shade and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

The trek was five miles long through the steep hills and sharp terrain of Emigration Canyon, the weather creeping into the 100s while the youths strained under heavy and uncomfortably authentic pioneer clothing. It's no wonder trail boss Justin Earl asserted his job's not done unless the group hates him by lunch.

"The harder it is for them, the more they'll appreciate the pioneers," said Earl, 24, who has helped guide teens on the extreme pioneering experience for three years. "Let's be honest: High school kids aren't that excited about pioneers. Until they do this and make a few of their footsteps, that's when they know about the pioneers. They're defining moments for these kids."

Deseret Morning News graphic Pioneer trek trivia Requires Adobe Acrobat.

During summer weekends, This Is the Place Heritage Park re-enacts a Mormon pioneer handcart trek for youth groups from around the state. Actors play Latter-day Saint leaders like John Taylor, Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Brigham Young. Participants meet the "prophets" and other pioneers along the way, who recount the stories and emotions experienced on their journeys.

Three trail bosses lead groups on the organized treks and stop to talk about the locations in Emigration Canyon rich in pioneer history such as the reported plateau where Brigham Young first looked into the Salt Lake Valley, the estimated trail the pioneers took while traveling to Utah and Donner's Bluff, a spot the infamous Donner Party used as camping grounds.

Trail assistant Jeff Stevens calls the excursions a Spiritual Boot Camp for the young participants.

"When people start out, it's interesting because there's a definite change you see in the unity of the people," said Stevens, 22. "Seeing the people's change in attitude, it's neat to see that transformation."

Leaders hope that after the grueling hike, the teens will have an appreciation for the trials their pioneer ancestors faced while traveling across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains and turning a barren desert into the established settlement of Salt Lake City.