Let me start off by saying I had my reservations about going to trek. It didn’t have to go, but knew deep down I should. I said yes knowing I would not be using flushed toilets for three days. I went knowing I would not be able to wash my hand at a sink with soap and water for three days. I went knowing I wouldn’t take a shower for four days. I went knowing I would be walking 14.3 miles in one day in the scorching July heat. I went knowing I wouldn’t have the comfort of a nice mattress. I went knowing I would have to pack all my belongings up each day and take them with me to the next spot just to unpack them again. I went knowing I would be dressed in a pioneer outfit from the bonnet on my head to the apron around my waist. I went knowing I had a job to do. I went knowing I would come to some understanding of the Pioneers and why they did what they did. I went knowing this would both challenge me physically and mentally. I went knowing this experience would be very beneficially to me in ways unknown to me at the time.

I had this incredible opportunity to go and witness this trek from behind the scene. To get a glimpse of what the Pioneers went through as I watched the youth and even adults struggle from time to time. I watched as they had their moments of frustration and fought to rise above it. I watched as they helped each other through the more difficult parts. I watched them be overcome with emotion as they heard the many pioneer stories and now understanding the Pioneers unwavering commitment to the Lord. I watched as a son left his friends to help his mother who was always lagging behind and struggling most of the way. I watched as friendships were created. I watched the families gather around together to have devotionals morning and night. I watched when I was hurting myself, when I wanted to give up. Watching helped push me along. What I was able to see was almost as important to me as experiencing this whole thing for myself. I felt so lucky to have been apart of the great journey.

Here is a run down of the places we visited and what we did:
The first place we came to was Independence rock. It was said if the Pioneers made it to the rock by july4th than they would make it to Salt Lake before the snow. It was also the location where many traveller, including saints, made their mark and even wrote messages to love ones. It was incredible to walk around at the top and see engravings that were left over 150 years ago.Martin’s Cove visitor center was next on the list and the place where we picked up our carts and made our way to our first campsite. I believe the walk was about 4 miles on a sandy trail. When we got to camp we had the pleasure (or not) of putting camp together. One of the things I dreaded, but learned to do well. I was pretty impressed as it has been years since I’ve slept in a tent let alone set one up. That first night at camp we experience a heavy rain storm and of course it was quite windy. One thing I learned about Wyoming is it’s very windy. We had a great time keeping our tents from blowing away in the storm…actually mine was among the few that stood up. Thank goodness for spring board tents.The second day we worked our way over to the Sweatwater River crossing which was the hardest part for the Martin handcart company. Many fathers fell to their knees and sobbed as they knew they would never make it over the icy river. It was just to much for them to bare since many were already frozen. Three boys 18 years of age (referred to as the valley boys that were apart of the rescue party) stepped up and carry the company across the water. It was said years later the valley boys all died of complications from being in the freezing water for so long. This was just one of the heroic story that were told to us.

  • We then headed to Martin’s Cove where the Pioneers that belonged to the Martin Handcart company took shelter for a few days during a storm. It was said by President Hinkley that this land is hallowed ground and should be treated as such. Many people lost their lives there due to the cold temperatures. We had a small program before entering the cove about why we were there. It was a reoccuring theme we heard mulitple times throughtout the trek…Why are we doing this? Why did the church buy this land for the youth and families to come and experience what the Pioneers when through?

    “It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present andperspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those whohave gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead. It is good toreflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans, so well nurtured, has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for us all, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family, and many of us pioneer daily in trying to establish a gospel foothold in distant parts of the world.” Gordon B. Hinckley July 1984

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As I walked along the path (and took pictures of course) through Marin’s Cove I luckily was alone so I could just think. My mind kept coming back to the Pioneers and what an incredible task they had to endure. Then I thought about how I can be a pioneer today in my own life. I’m not looking to inspire crowds of people or even a few I know. All I want is to inspire the 3 little ones I have stewardship over to live their life to their fullest potential. To live a life that will ensure their entrance into the presence of our Father in Heaven. It feels like such a daunting task. I keep thinking “if only I was this…” or “if only I was that…”. But you know what, I am me and am doing what I can to be the best mother possible despite the mess I feel my life is right now. Hopefully my endless prayers are heard and the Lord understands.

After Martin’s Cove we made our way back to the visitor center where we started the day before. We hung out had lunch until our buses took us to the next location which was too far away to walk…thank goodness. I could use sometime sitting down. I was told we walked about 7 miles throughout the day. When we arrived at our second campsite it was desolate, extremely windy, and in the middle of nowhere. Literally in the middle of nowhere. It was so windy you couldn’t even open your eyes due to the dust. It was absolutely miserable. Nothing like eating a sandy dinner. It eventually did die down which made for a pleasant evening.

In the morning we started our 14.3 mile hike along the actual Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails. It was the one thing I dreaded most about this trip, but honestly I was feeling pretty good that morning and the air felt cool. As we started out the first thing we came to was Rocky Ridge. This is where we had the woman’s pull. It was a simulation of when the men where called off to fight in the civil war and the woman were left behind alone to get their families to the Salt Lake Valley. It was a very powerful moment as the girls climbed the rocky hill themselves and the men waiting at the top singing hymns as they passsed. I think everyone had a tear in their eyes for what these woman did.As the day went on I was doing pretty good until about the last 2 miles. This was the hardest part. I don’t know why if it’s because I could see an end in sight or if I’d just had enough, but I was going crazy. I just wanted it to end. I was so hot. The wind was blowing against us, which made it more difficult, but at least the air was moving so it didn’t seem as hot. My legs were in a lot of pain, particularly my calf muscles. I was so aware of how detatched my legs were from the rest of my body. I knew if I stopped I wouldn’t get back up. It was at this moment I kept thinking about the pioneers and how they did this everyday for 90 days. Unbelievable. It was at this moment I knew if it hadn’t of been for the hand of God they would not have made it across the plains. No doubt in my mind…They had faith and the Lord help them endure. I thought about the Willie Handcart Company and what they had to face making this walk in the bitter cold. It took them 27 hours to do what we were able to do in 6 1/2 hours. Simply amazing. We were told a story about a mother and her 4 sons. The oldest son (22) was cripple and unable to pull the cart so the mother and the 19 yr old son push the cart. The youngest son (4) feet were frozen and couldn’t walk so his 11 year old brother carried him the entire 27 hours. After they arrived at Rock Creek Hollow (are destination as well) the 11 yr old boy set his brother down and then died. Heart wrenching story. No doubt both of those boys were being carried that day.

It was such a relief to finally make it to the finish line. I am in awe and so grateful to the Pioneers for doing this. For making their way. When we finally got into camp there was a cool stream near by that most of us stepped in and soaked our sore feet. I can’t even tell you how awesome it felt to take off my shoes and rest. Sadly it didn’t last long as we still needed to set up camp. That night we had an amazing testimony meeting. While I was sitting there listening I realized I was the only person there that didn’t have a friend, child, or spouse with them. I was all alone in this crowd of people. But you know what, I didn’t feel alone. I felt loved and needed and cared for. I was so grateful at that moment for the stake in which I live. For the association with these fine people.

During our stay at Rock Creek Hallow we visited a gravesite where those that died from the Willie Handcart Company were buried (like the brother from the story I told above). Me and another woman were talking about what we could offer the Lord that would even compare to the sacrifice these pioneers had made in believing in His Gospel and coming to the Salt Lake Valley. It really got me thinking…these people went through so much in their life. Their sacrifice paved the way for us today. How can I truly be as worthy as them to enter into the rest of my Father in Heaven? Then that very night I heard a quote by Neal A. Maxwell. He said,

“Though we have rightly applauded our ancestors for their spiritual achievements (and do not and must not discount them now), those of us who prevail today will have done no small thing. The special spirits who have been reserved to live in this time of challenges and who overcome will one day be praised for their stamina by those who pulled handcarts.” (1976)

This statement brought me to tears. After the week I had just been through and all the Pioneer stories I heard I can’t imagine them praising and giving thanks to God for our efforts. And then this quote followed,

“For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your
appearance in the final days before the Second Coming. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not…God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God…Make no mistake about it you are a marked generation.” said by President Benson 1988.

I feel in awe at this great opportunity and an immense sense of gratitude to the Lord for believing in me and knowing that I can do it. For allowing me to be on the earth at this time in the history of the world. I have always been so grateful to the Lord for the blessings I have been given in this life from the simple technology of paper towels to plumbing to instant communication to easy transportation to temples dotting the globe to the priesthood being again on the earth to eternal families. I feel blessed to be here now. More so now that I have experience a taste of what the pioneers went through. Before I did all this I remember thinking would I really have gone and done this. I was unsure when I thought it, but now I know with certainty had I lived in their day I would have trekked my way to SL for my beliefs. I would have given up all I knew for the mere promise that we could be sealed to our families for eternity. I would have given up everything for the knowledge of the Savior and his sacrifice for us.

I learned so much from the awesome experience. I learned a lot about the Pioneers. I learned a lot about their sacrifice for what they believed. I was touched by their stories. But despite all that, what I will take with me from this week in my life is priceless. Something I would never have been able to find had I not gone. It challenged me to face things in my life. It challenged me to look deeper into the person that I am and the woman that I want to be. I received answers to prayers. It gave me a better understanding of how the Lord teaches me. It renued my committment for that which i know to be true.

If you ever have the opportunity to go on a trek…go without hesitation. It just might be one of the best things you could do for yourself. At times I hated it, but mostly I loved it. Loved it for what it taught me. For what I have taken with me. I now know why I was there and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Interesting facts….I walked about 56000 steps in those four days and I took 834 pictures home with me from this experience.

Click here some more photos of trek.