Management Program 



Management of Sites 



No known historic sites of note are found along 

 these segments on public lands managed by the 

 BLM. 



Management of Trail Segments 



An interpretive sign is planned for the Oregon 

 Trail west of Cumberland Gap, up Little Muddy 

 Creek. This sign shall describe the difficult ascent 

 up and over the Bear River Divide and indicate 

 the route of the trail in the area. Another 

 interpretive sign is planned for the Bear River 

 Divide road where the trail crests the high ridge. 

 This interpretive sign shall be more extensive in 

 nature, as a panoramic view is attained in various 

 locales. A small parking turnout should also be 

 planned, as vehicle traffic does occur on the Bear 

 River Divide Road. Many trail segments are only 

 accessible by foot off of the ridge as the steepness 

 of the terrain precludes vehicle use. A final 

 interpretive sign (exact location presently 

 undetermined) should be planned for the Oregon 

 Trail north of Cokeville, explaining trail passage 

 in the Bear River Valley. 



There is much to be learned about the route 

 alternatives in the Bear River Divide area. During 

 the 1985 field season, Exxon conducted a survey 

 of all possible trail remains. Their work included 

 a literature search as well as field work. The 

 objective was to identify important trail alter- 

 natives and others with little or no importance. 

 Trail routes that can be verified and which have 

 physical remains will receive protective manage- 

 ment. Others not found to either be important or 

 which have no physical remains will not be 

 protected. 



Oil and gas development will continue in the 

 Bear River Divide area and will, no doubt, continue 

 to affect the trails. 



The Bear River Divide trail segments from the 

 Little Muddy Creek to Highway 89 are recom- 

 mended for 4-wheel drive vehicles or foot and 

 horseback travel. 



The BLM will attempt to acquire a public 

 easement along the trail from Cumberland Gap 

 to the beginning of the Bear River Divide segment 

 in Sec. 3, T 19 N., R. 118 W. Easements will also 

 be acquired across state lands in Sees. 16 and 

 36, T 20 N., R. 119 W, Sees. 5, 8, 9, and 16, T 

 20 N., R. 120 W, and Sees. 26 and 35, T 21 N., 

 R. 1 20 W. This would make available a public travel 

 way from the Idaho State line to Cumberland Gap 

 north of Fort Bridger. The travel way will follow 

 the primary route of the Oregon Trail. 



Field studies and archival research will be 

 conducted to determine the location and 

 importance of the numerous trail remnants in this 

 segment of the Oregon Trail. This work will help 

 the BLM identify appropriate management 

 measures and the degree of protection these 

 segments should receive. 



The Bear River Divide segment is a designated 

 National Historic Trail Segment, located largely 

 on public lands between Little Muddy Creek and 

 Highway 89. This area should receive routine 

 monitoring by resource area personnel. Problems 

 resulting from use of the area should be dealt with 

 quickly. 



The portion of the segment from Little Muddy 

 Creek to Highway 89 should be placed in a 

 protective corridor as per the Oregon/Mormon 

 Trail General Management Policy. 



The area should receive an ORV designation 

 of limited; motor vehicle use should be limited 

 to existing roads and vehicle routes. 



Management Policy 



Development of a specific policy for manage- 

 ment of this segment is not necessary. This 

 segment will be managed under the Oregon/ 

 Mormon Trail General Management Policy. 



Mormon/California Trail Segment 

 (Rock Springs District) 



MC 



From Fort Bridger, the Mormon Trail is identified 

 as a 2-track that passes just south of Bridger Butte. 

 At Bridger Butte, the Trail divides into two 

 segments, a northern route and a southern route. 

 These routes reunite east of Aspen Mountain, and 

 will be discussed separately. The northern variant 

 turns west from Bridger Butte, passes Bigelow 

 Springs, descends Bigelow Bench and crosses 

 Muddy Creek one mile north of Meyers Ridge. 

 The trail then follows Sods Hollow southwest. The 

 northern route splits again with an alternate 

 following Antelope Creek west and then a tributary 

 southeast around a dominant ridgespur while 

 another alternate ascents the ridge and follows 

 the crest southwest towards Aspen Mountain. 



The southern variant leaves Bridger Butte and 

 follows Cottonwood Creek to the south of Myers 

 Ridge. This southern route crosses Little Creek 

 and Muddy Creek in quick succession, then 

 follows the south bank of Piedmont Creek for three 

 miles. This variant then crosses to the north side 

 of Piedmont Creek, and follows this drainage until 



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