This is one of several caches The Traveling Naugahyde Hunters
placed along the California Emigrant Trail Carson River Route. This
section of the historic California Trail was opened from the Sink
of the Humboldt River to the Carson River at Ragtown in the fall of
1848 by a wagon train of emigrants captained by Joseph B. Chiles.
From Ragtown, the trail followed the Carson River westward to a
junction with the Carson Pass Trail.
The Caches are near one of the several Trail Markers placed to
mark the route. When you visit one of these caches you will be
following in the footsteps of the pioneers
THE CARSON RIVER 40-MILE DESERT ROUTE
"I frequently counted thirty or forty carcasses at one encampment,
and in one place 100 wagons in less than a mile, all in sight at
once - many of them in good order, others split into pieces or
partially burned. Everything that constitutes a Cal. Outfit except
grubb lies along the road in profusion; clothing, tents, harness,
tools, &c., water casks innumerable that have been brought all
the way for this desert are now thrown away."
(Byron McKinstry, 1850)
This forty-mile dry crossing was one of the most dreaded and
most chronicled ordeals of the entire overland emigrant experience.
Coming as it did so near the end of the overland journey - when
supplies were low, stock were weak, and wagons in poor condition -
it was a great challenge to the courage and fortitude of the
emigrants.
Over the years, more emigrants were to travel this particular route
to California than any other route.
