Handcart trek planned in S.L.

Summer is thought of as the handcart season for the Intermountain west. However, in a rare instance, handcarts will converge on Salt Lake's Temple Square Friday morning.

Brigham Young University's Department of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership (RMYL) brings the history of handcart treks to the downtown campus, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

This is a mini-handcart trek and a promotional event for the full trek from Iowa City to Salt Lake City set to roll in summer 2009.

The mini-trek will start at This is the Place Heritage Park (2355 Sunny Side Ave.). Trekkers will go west on Sunny Side, turn north on Foothill Boulevard, then turn north on 1300 East, west on South Temple and arrive at Temple Square.

The Mormon Trail Handcart Trek 2009 will commence next April, as part of a study abroad program.

Each handcart group will be made up of about 10 people, led by a student leader. The teams will each pull and care for an authentic pioneer-style handcart, built by hand especially for this trek.

Groups also will be responsible for various tasks along the trek, which will be self-sufficient in terms of equipment, housing, food and toilet facilities.

The cost for students and individuals will be between $1,800-$2,100 per term, which covers the cost of BYU tuition for spring or summer terms and all equipment, food and board along the trek.

Students will have the option of joining the trek for either spring or summer term, but are encouraged to stay for both terms. Families will be able to sign up for one week or more and can expect to pay about $250 per person per week.

The 2009 Mormon Handcart Trail Trek is directed by Dr. Brian Hill, professor and graduate coordinator of recreation management and youth leadership at BYU.

Hill was the CEO and President of the 1997 Mormon Trail Wagon Train, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley.

For more information, go to handcarttrek.byu.edu/.