Independence Rock and Martin's Cove

I had never been to Independence Rock or Martin's Cove, so Ben decided to take me there. On Thursday after work we headed up and camped just outside of Martin's Cove, then early Friday morning we went up to Independence Rock and ate breakfast on top while watching the sunrise.

Independence Rock and the Sweetwater River

The early emigrants on the Oregon Trail wanted to be to Independence Rock by the 4th of July to know that they would reach their destination before winter set in. As they got to Independence Rock they would write their names on the rock.

The best names were toward the middle of the rock- not at the popular North end.

After visiting Independence Rock we headed over to Martin's Cove. The Martin and Willie handcart companies left Iowa a couple of weeks after they should have already made it to Independence Rock. The companies were caught in early snows near the Continental Divide and hundreds died before the rescue teams found them and helped bring them to Martin's Cove and later to the Salt Lake Valley. The amazing thing about the whole situation is that only 25% of the company died after all that they went through. What a miracle!

Devil's Gate

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