Lander Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 42° 30.374 W 110° 54.490
12T E 507544 N 4705989
Two Historical markers on the east side of US Highway 89, south of Afton, at the summit of Salt River Pass, commemorate this historic short-cut.
Waymark Code: WMFC81
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 09/26/2012
Views: 3
The Lander Cutoff, surveyed in 1857, provided emigrant pioneers an easier path between Burnt Ranch, Wyoming and Ross Creek, Idaho. This federally funded and constructed road cut seven days off the travel time for this portion of the Emigrant Trail. One of the greatest advantages it offered was that it bypassed Big Hill southeast of Montpelier, Idaho. Big Hill presented one of the longest continuous climbs followed by the steepest descent along the Trail.
Road of Trail Name: Lander Cutoff
State: Wyoming
County: Lincoln
Historical Significance:
This was the first federal highway project in the West and substantially shortened travel time on the Emigrant Trail. It bypassed the hazards of Big Hill and the deserts to the south.
Years in use: 55
How you discovered it:
I was waymarking along US Highway 89 when I came across four markers at the Salt River Pass summit.
Why?:
This new route shortened travel time by as much as seven days for emigrant pioneers traveling through on the California and Oregon Trails.
Directions:
At the summit of Salt River Pass on US Highway 89 between Afton and the Idaho/Wyoming border.
Book on Wagon Road or Trial: Not listed
Website Explination: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
To post a log for this Waymark the poster must have a picture of either themselves, GPSr, or mascot. People in the picture with information about the waymark are preferred. If the waymarker can not be in the picture a picture of their GPSr or mascot will qualify. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Recent Visits/Logs:
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