Vacation Idea #24- Independence Rock

WISH i was on HOLIDAY

A summer feature on Holiday Haven

- Vacation Idea #24 -

Independence Rock
Wyoming

One giant rock located in Southwest Wyoming was a marker for those that traveled the Oregon trail. The emigrants tried to reach this rock by the 4th of July to make sure they were on track to reach Oregon before the cold weather of fall set in.

Today it is a state park, in Wyoming. We visited this site with extended family, the cute little girl in this photo is my niece.

The land around the rock is flat, beautiful, Wyoming land.

When you walk up to this rock you realise its full 130 feet of height.

You follow a mown path around the rock.

On the side you find plaques and inscriptions marking the emigrants who traveled here.

Near the back we found a spot to climb to the top. The top of the rock is the best place to view inscriptions. It is a bit tricky to climb up and get back down again, we took our children, but made them stay low and close to us. And though it was quite a memory maker for them, having done it, I do not recommend taking children to the top, 130 feet up is quite a height. Adults, however, should definitely go! (Even if you have to take turns watching kids). Some of the best undisturbed signatures and engravings can be found at the top.

D. C. Walker

July 4 1850

1825

1874, '77, '82, '84

View of Oregon trail from the top of Independence rock.

Back down on the ground on the far side we saw this iron fence, I think it must surround a grave but there are no markers.

You can see more about this amazing historical land mark at wikipedia, and the stateparks website.