
Oregon Trail - Massacre Rocks, ID
Posted by:
Hikenutty
N 42° 41.708 W 112° 57.705
12T E 339310 N 4728826
Quick Description: Near this marker the trail passed through a canyon considered to be one of the most dangerous spots due to exposure to hostile tribes in the area.
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 6/5/2009 7:27:57 PM
Waymark Code: WM6HB0
Views: 4
Long Description:Marker #338 reads:
"Immediately west of here you will cross a small canyon that
Oregon Trail Emigrants regarded as their most dangerous exposure to
Indians."
"After 1854, they had good reason to be alarmed. Wagon traffic
had ruined important traditional Indian trails. Uncounted thousands
of oxen, horses, sheep and cattle had overgrazed a broad zone along
their trail, leading to Indian resentment. Worse yet, a few
emigrants had shot enough Indians to provoke a great deal of
bitterness. August 9, 1862, Pocatello's Shoshoni band resisted
further wagon traffic here, trapping a small emigrant party in a
deep gully. An unusually fine stretch of wagon tracks leading to
that site can be reached by a marked trail from here."