The site was designated a National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961 and is now part of Independence Rock State Historic Site, owned and operated by the state of Wyoming.
Can you climb Independence Rock?
The rock is a protected site, but you are still allowed to climb the steep dome. Please don’t scratch your name in the rock now, as that takes away from the history surrounding the site. Some people had even scratched their names right among the pioneers, making it difficult to take a nice picture.
What happened at Independence Rock?
The rock derived its name from a party of fur trappers who camped and celebrated Independence Day near the rock on July 4, 1830. Eventually, thousands of emigrants camped at the foot of this 1,900 feet long by 850 feet wide granite outcrop.
What was another name for Independence Rock?
There was a second name by which the rock was known. So many travelers had inscribed their names in the rock that Jesuit Father Peter Jean DeSmet named the place “The Register of the Desert.” Independence Rock looking toward the east. Photo (2009) by Kenneth Mays.
How old is the Independence Rock?
Fifty million years ago
Fifty million years ago, the peaks of the Granite Range rose in today’s central Wyoming, and began the long geologic processes of exfoliation.
How long does it take to climb Independence Monument?
2 hours and 30 minutes
This trail is among the most popular at the Colorado National Monument. Along this trail there will be gorgeous views of the cliffs, different rock formations, and of course Independence Monument. This trail is moderate in difficulty and takes on average 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
Can you still walk the Oregon Trail?
In some places, the historic trail is a current modern-day hiking trail. In others, it could be a modern-day asphalt road. Experiences vary, so please check with individual locations for more details.
What percent of pioneers died on the Oregon Trail?
6-10%
It is estimated that 6-10% of all emigrants of the trails succumbed to some form of illness. Of the estimated 350,000 who started the journey, disease may have claimed as many as 30,000 victims. Since the trail was 2,000 miles long, this would indicate that there was an average of 10-15 deaths per mile.
When was the last wagon train?
By late October, 1853, the last of the wagons in the lost train had been driven down to Lowell, along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. The river was forded more than forty times during the final leg of the journey.
Is Independence Rock a geode?
Independence Rock is a large granite rock, approximately 130 feet (40 m) high, 1,900 feet (580 m) long, and 850 feet (260 m) wide, which is in southwestern Natrona County, Wyoming along Wyoming Highway 220.
What is carved on Independence Rock?
Called the “Great Register of the Desert”, more than 5,000 names of early emigrant were carved on this boulder. Starting the trail in the early spring, emigrants along the Oregon Trail hoped to reach Independence Rock by July 4, Independence Day.
How long did it take to get to Independence Rock on the Oregon Trail?
five to six months
Initially, the journey from Independence to the Willamette valley had taken five to six months. As the trail became more heavily used, however, ferries and bridges sprang up at river crossings, and more trading posts and forts were built.
What famous grave site is located near Independence Rock?
Ada Magill Grave | WyoHistory.org.
How many settlers died on the Oregon Trail?
Combined with accidents, drowning at dangerous river crossings, and other illnesses, at least 20,000 people died along the Oregon Trail. Most trailside graves are unknown, as burials were quick and the wagon trains moved on.
How tall is Independence Rock in Wyoming?
Hugh. The Rock received its name after an Independence Day celebration with William Sublette and 80 pioneers. The name stuck and became a landmark and goal of the more than 550,000 westward travelers. The Rock’s highest point sits 136 feet above the surrounding terrain.
Can you climb Independence Monument?
Every 4th of July you can watch climbers carry the flag up Independence Monument and then proudly stake it at the top. Safety gear has come a long way in the past 100+ years.
Where is Independence Rock in Colorado?
Independence Monument is a 5,739-foot-elevation (1,749 meter) sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States.
When was the independence monument built?
1958
The Independence Monument (Khmer: វិមានឯករាជ្យ [ʋimiən ʔaekariəc]) in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, was built in 1958 to memorialise Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953.
What percentage survived the Oregon Trail?
9. Most of the emigrants on the Oregon Trail survived the trip. Between four and six percent of the emigrants died along the way – between 12,500 and 20,000 people. This is about one grave for every 200 yards of trail (the length of two football fields).
How many days did it take to walk the Oregon Trail?
Planning a five- to six-month trip across rugged terrain was no easy task and could take up to a year. Emigrants had to sell their homes, businesses and any possessions they couldn’t take with them.
What is the longest trail in the US?
At over 2,180-miles, the Appalachian Trail is the country’s and the world’s longest hiking-only trail. The approximately 4,000 annual thru-hikers that (attempt to) conquer this famous footpath meander through 14 states throughout the Eastern United States, from Georgia to Maine or vice versa.