Thousands still reliving Mormon Trail trek

For more than a century, the historic pioneer trails traversing Wyoming — the Mormon, Oregon, Bozeman and California trails — got little notice from tourists.

But interest started to grow after local LDS Church members decided to commemorate the story of the pioneers in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the church's move west in 1847. They researched the pioneers, documented their stories and started the handcart trek.

"As groups have come and experienced that, it just spread word of mouth," Larsen said.

By 2002, the number of people making the trek exploded to 12,000. Local church members invested much time and money to provide water, camping facilities and other improvements.

The trek starts at Sixth Crossing — a pioneer crossing point on the Sweetwater River in south-central Wyoming — and snakes its way over a hilly landscape. It climbs the jagged limestone of Rocky Ridge, then descends to Rock Creek, where there is a cemetery for 15 Mormon pioneers who died in a snowstorm.

"The first time was difficult. You don't really expect it to be so rocky and rugged. And the weather is constantly changing up there," said Eli Zent, 18, of Shoshoni, who has done the handcart trek three times — the first time when he was 12.

But Zent said the treks gave him an appreciation of history and educated him about his ancestors who came over the trail in 1857.

"It's kind of a fun thing for people to say they pulled a handcart over Rocky Ridge," said Larsen, who also has completed the trek.

Jackie Meeker, executive director of the Lander Chamber of Commerce, said the interest in the pioneer trails is indicative of growing interest for historical sites and events that mark the westward movement in the United States.

"Statistically, cultural tourism is gaining in popularity," Meeker said. "Certainly after 9/11 we experienced a rush to investigate your own back yard."

But with the number of trekkers growing so quickly, the treks began to take a toll on the old trail.

The BLM, which owns most of the land over which the trek traverses, decided to limit the number of church trekkers to 7,500 this year and to 5,000 in 2006 and will ban motorized vehicles from one two-mile section of the trail. In addition, organized church treks will be limited to 200 at a time and to weekdays, so the general public can visit the trail on weekends.

Kelly said the BLM would study the trail to see if it needs to adjust the numbers later.

Larsen said the church supports the BLM's decision because it wants to see the trail preserved. Church-sponsored treks are booked through 2008 under the limits.

The church also has established a visitors center and small museum at Martin's Cove with an overview of the Mormon Trail and some church history. It also has wooden handcarts for a much shorter pull over well-kept paths. Church volunteers dressed in period clothing provide perspective on the pioneer life.

Don Elm, 60, of Valencia, Calif., and his 70-year-old brother Bruce Elm, of Provo, Utah, stopped at Martin's Cove as part of a two-week journey along the length of the Mormon Trail. The two weren't pulling handcarts — Don Elm cited their age — but called the site inspiring.

"Being here makes it all come a lot more to life," Don Elm said.