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Ed Dunkley Trail History

An estimated one-third of the 1849 gold rush emigrants used this trail. At least 8,000 people and over 1,500 wagons went over a route in 1849 that had limited sources of water, grass for the livestock and actually was 200 miles longer than over Donner Summit or Carson Pass. Eye- witness accounts recount the horrors of crossing the Black Rock Desert where nearly 800 oxen, mules, and three pioneers perished in the waterless, grassless terrain.

Further along the trail in California, the emigrants were late in arriving and snows were already falling. Pit and Modoc Indians were harassing the emigrants and stealing their livestock leaving many families stranded and near starvation. An army relief expedition from Sacramento saved many a pioneer from a cold hungry death in the wilderness. The Lassen-Applegate Trail was used heavily from 1849 to 1852 and then was abandoned for the more popular Carson Trail.

The High Rock Trekkers 4WD trip over the Lassen-Applegate Trail follows the same route for the first 170 miles. Pioneer diaries left such a good description of their route that we can tell you all about it on our trail ride. We could visit a pioneer cemetery, Rabbit Hole Springs, Black Rock, Hardin City, Soldier Meadows (Camp McGarry), Double Hot Spring, High Rock Canyon, Massacre Ranch, and many more historical sites. Each vehicle will receive a printed guidebook with detailed information about this trip.

It will be one of the most interesting, scenic and historical routes you will ever drive on. It is not unusual to see Golden Eagles, wild mustangs, big Horn sheep, antelope, deer and wild burros on this trip.  Sign up early and bring a camera. The trip is limited to 25 vehicles. Find out why some participants return every year to enjoy this trip.

High Rock Trekkers meet annually in Nevada's Black Rock Desert and Host the Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail 4 wheel drive trip in July to benefit CA4WDC Conservation and Education Foundation.