Management Program 



rate of erosion. Chemical treatments may be 

 available which would help stabilize the 

 sandstone. 



The existing inscriptions should be recorded so 

 that the information is not lost. 



The BLM will install an interpretive sign at the 

 site to explain the significance of the site. 



The site can be developed as a recreation site/ 

 visitor area. The development will be done in an 

 attempt to protect the site, as well as make it 

 available for use. Facilities will include parking and 

 signing. Constructed shelters over the inscriptions 

 will be considered. Recreation facilities such as 

 picnic tables will not be included in the 

 development. An emigrant grave threatened by 

 arroyo-cutting will be stabilized. 



The Emigrant Spring site should be nominated 

 to the National Register of Historic Places. 



Site SL-4 Johnston Scout Rocks. The Johnston 

 Scout Rocks are a large sandstone block on which 

 are carved the name "T.C. Johnston L. A. Cary 1 860 

 Scouts" and other emigrant names over a period 

 of 38 years. The BLM will implement measures 

 to stabilize the sandstone face of the rocks. 

 Chemical treatments may be available to help 

 stabilize the rocks. 



The existing inscriptions should be recorded so 

 that the information on the rocks is not lost. The 

 BLM will install protective fencing with a locked 

 gate around the rocks. The Johnston Scout Rocks 

 site is listed on the National Register of Historic 

 Places. An interpretive sign will be installed at the 

 site. 



Site SL-5 Terminus of Slate Creek Cutoff. The 



terminus will be marked with a trail marker. 



{Management of Trail Segments 



Field inventories will be utilized to locate other 

 significant sites and segments (variations of the 

 main Slate Creek Cutoff). If they are located, they 

 will be recorded so that information they contain 

 will not be lost. Appropriate protective measures 

 will be utilized, as needed. 



Management Policy 



This cutoff will be managed under the Oregon/ 

 Mormon Trail General Management Policy. No 

 additional specific policies are needed for this 

 segment. 



Dempsey-Hockaday Cutoff - DH (Rock 

 Springs District) 



The Dempsey-Hockaday Cutoff diverges from 

 the Sublette Trail at Rocky Gap near the present 

 day abandoned Jamison Ranch. From here, the 

 trail crosses Pomeroy Basin, with two variants 

 ascending Commissary Ridge up Wheat Creek 

 and West Willow/Sheep Dip Creeks, respectively. 

 The trail then follows the uplands above Trail 

 Creek and crosses Hams Fork just north of present 

 day Lake Viva-Naughton (this route is still a 

 favored crossing of Hams Fork used by hunters 

 and recreationists today). The trail then crosses 

 Dempsey Basin adjacent to the South Fork Creek, 

 and reunites with the Sublette Creek at the base 

 of Dempsey Ridge. Approximately eight miles of 

 this trail segment are on public land. 



Management of Sites 



No documented historic sites are found on this 

 cutoff. 



Management of Trail Segments 



A road closure is proposed for a portion of the 

 Dempsey-Hockaday Cutoff on Commissary 

 Ridge. Specifically, we propose to close vehicle 

 passage on the trail in portions of Sees. 33, 34, 

 T. 24 N., R. 116 W. and portions of Sees. 3 and 

 4, T. 23 N., R. 116 W. Several ascents of 

 Commissary Ridge from Pomeroy Basin and 

 Rocky Gap to the east are located here. Pristine 

 trail ruts, superior integrity of setting, and an 

 excellent historical association combine to make 

 the trail in this area worthy of preservation. This, 

 coupled with the fragility of the soil in the area 

 and moderate use of the trail by hunters in the 

 fall (when the ground is frequently muddy and 

 fragile), lead us to recommend vehicle closure in 

 this area. Some negative public comment from 

 hunters is expected on this proposal. 



Three signs, possibly four, multifunctional in 

 nature, are proposed along the Dempsey- 

 Hockaday Trail. The first will be located at or near 

 Rocky Gap and will identify the juncture of Slate 

 Creek Trail with the Sublette Cutoff; and the 

 divergence of the Dempsey-Hockaday Cutoff with 

 the Sublette Trail. A second sign will be placed 

 on top of Commissary Ridge where some excellent 

 ruts are found and where knolls command a 

 panoramic and beautiful vista of the upper Hams 

 Fork Valley, the Commissary Ridge system, and 



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