Oregon Trail Pathway

The Oregon Trail Pathway starts across the Summit Road from the Scotts Bluff NM Visitor Center.

NPS/Eric Grunwald

Quick Facts

Location:

41.828691, -103.707791

Amenities

1 listed

Trailhead

The Oregon Trail Pathway follows a short section of the Oregon/California Trails through Mitchell Pass.

Length: 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers), one way

Surface: Asphalt with a gravel section

Difficulty: Moderate, with an elevation change of 85 feet (26 meters).

Access: Trailhead is located to the west of the Visitor Center. Park in the Visitor Center Parking Lot and cross the Summit Road at the crosswalk. 

Between 1841 and 1869, over 350,000 people traveled west past Scotts Bluff. Before 1851, pioneers used Robidoux Pass since the badlands between the river and the bluff made travel impossible. Nine miles south of Scotts Bluff, the pass offered a spring and a trading post operated by the Robidoux brothers.

 

In 1851, Mitchell Pass was opened and became the main route for the emigrants (pioneers heading west).

In 1851, William Lobenstine wrote in his journal:

"The rock itself is separated nearly at it's middle, having a pass here fifty to sixty feet wide, ascending at both sides perpendicular to a height of three to four hundred feet.

The passage through here was only made possible in 1851 and is now preferred by nearly all emigrants, cutting off a piece of eight miles from the old road."

Mitchell Pass, known during the 1850's as "Devil's Gap" became the principle route of the military, pony express and the telegraph. Mitchell Pass was named after United States Brigadier General Robert B. Mitchell.

The covered wagons in front of the Scotts Bluff National Monument administrative building mark the start of the Oregon Trail Pathway. The smaller Studebaker and Murphy wagons were the mode of transportation for families. The larger Conestoga wagon was not often used on the Oregon Trail, but was used to haul freight. Living history demonstrations occur at the Murphy wagon during the summer.

When the trail surface changes from asphalt to dirt, you are walking "on" the actual Oregon Trail. Today, after over 150 years of erosion of the soft rocks, individual wheel ruts are not visible. What is visible is called a "swale," which is a deep roadbed that was created by wagons traveling single file through Mitchell Pass.

After crossing Mitchell Pass, the trail becomes paved again, and the Oregon Trail's path is marked by wooden posts in the trail's center. Near the end of the hiking trail is the site where William Henry Jackson camped and sketched while working as a bullwhacker on a wagon train in 1866.

• Oregon Trail Pathway

  
  

  Stop 7 on the Scotts Bluff National Monument Oregon Trail Pathway Audio Tour

  Credit / Author:

  Audio Recording by Ray Richards

  Date created:

  07/22/2024

  Audio Transcript

  Welcome to the Oregon Trail Pathway.  This easy walk will take you past our replica wagons on a segment of the Oregon Trail and concludes at William Henry Jackson’s 1866 campsite.  This hike is roughly one mile round-trip.  The trail is paved except for a section of the original Oregon Trail. 

  Trail conditions will vary depending on what season you are visiting Scotts Bluff National Monument.  Spring on the prairie tends to be wet which can make the unpaved section of this trail a muddy mess.  Sturdy shoes are recommended.  Summer brings sunshine, high temperatures and rattlesnake activity to the prairie.  Please be sure to wear sunscreen, carry and drink water, and stay on the trail.  If you do encounter a rattlesnake, give the snake plenty of room and do not attempt to move it.  If you like, you may return to the visitor center and request a ranger to relocate the snake.  In the winter the trail may become icy or covered by drifting snow.  Strong winds frequent the prairie and Mitchell Pass so dress accordingly.       

  Have a great hike and proceed to the next stop where you will learn about the replica wagons positioned along the trail.