The Mormon pioneers weren't alone on this highway west in 1847. On June 25th, they passed three companies of emigrants from Missouri bound for Oregon.

Their journey this day took them gradually upward toward the continental divide and a ridge that a decade later would become imprinted forever in Mormon history.

Here on Rocky Ridge in October, 1856, the Willie Handcart Company faced a terrible ordeal as they struggled to survive early winter storms and frigid weather.

Scores died and were buried along the trail. But in 1847, Brigham Young's party passed unceremoniously by and camped a few miles farther along the trail, at a place called Strawberry Creek.