Trek Leadership Training

5 – 6 September 2014

Bro. and Sis. Dayton were asked to attend Trek Leadership Training at Martin’s Cove, September 5 – 6, 2014. We packed up way more than the individual 17 pounds of clothing and bedding the original pioneer companies were allowed  (we did leave the kitchen sink home) – and late in the afternoon on September 4, made our way to Martin’s Cove. We arrived shortly after 10:00 PM and set up camp, in the dark, in a Wyoming prairie "breeze".

 The next morning, we awoke bright and early and crawled out of several layers of down bedding to start the day. Knowing what we know of the history of the Saints who suffered horrendously in that place, we had to be grateful for the comforts we were afforded. After breakfast, we made our way to the old fort for a little orientation before we began our Trek. In our packets, each of us received the name of the one of the members of the Martin Handcart Company, with the story of their experience. The trials of the Company, as a whole, are touching, but the stories of the individuals who made up that Company are even more impressive and really give a deep meaning to the sacrifices made. These names we carried with us as we walked some of the ground where their feet may have taken them.

We found a handcart “family” to join and started on our trek. We had the good fortune to pull a handcart with several leaders from Colorado Springs, CO, who are planning a Stake Trek in July. It was so enjoyable to get to know them and learn from their past experiences at the Cove.

Our first stop was the crossing of the Sweetwater River. On the way to the crossing site, one of the Elders faked an ankle injury and we had an on-the-trail lesson in emergency medical procedures – not so much how to treat the injury, but how to signal for help, the need for our own medical personnel, and what resources are available onsite.

We were asked not to roll up our pant legs or hike up our skirts, so we could get a little feel for what the pioneers experienced. A “little feel’’ is certainly accurate. Not only did the Saints have to cross the river in their clothes, they did it in freezing temperatures. After going through the shallow spot we crossed, our clothing and footwear dried out relatively quickly in the pleasant, early September climate. Imagine fording a river in full clothing, perhaps up to the neck, and coming out the other side into freezing cold, and then taking perhaps hours to dry out.

After our feet dried a bit, we moved on to see the bronze statues, honoring the rescuers of the Martin Company, who carried many people across the river. This truly is a magnificent place. To really appreciate it, one could linger for a lot longer than we had time. Many in the Martin Company had given their last ounce of energy and strength, just getting to that crossing point. The details in the faces of the characters really do give one a feel for what took place there. One can imagine the relief and gratitude of the saints and the strength and character of the men who endured hardship so others would not have to.

Our next stop was at one of the most poignant and touching activities of the Trek – the Men’s Callout and the Women’s Pull. In past experiences, groups would sometimes simulate the call for the men to march with the Mormon Battalion, which didn’t happen to the either the Martin or Willie Companies. Now it is referred to as the Men’s Callout because, for a variety of reasons, men were called away from their families, leaving their wives to carry on. Sickness and death were among the most common reasons. The men left the Sisters and walked up a hill where they waited for the Women’s Pull.

The men, hats in hand, stood silently, watching – unable to help – as the women pulled their carts up the sandy, rocky, trail to the top. The hats were off out of respect. The silence was symbolic of the absence of the men on whom these women counted. The men could not call out encouragement; reminding us that for some, prayers were the only help men could give their wives and children. The brethren were reminded of the importance of not intentionally adding to the burdens their wives and mothers sometimes carry.

After a brief lunch and refilling our water bottles, we made our way to the trailhead to Martin’s Cove. The journey to the Cove is more than a hike, in beautiful country, along groomed trails, for truly one walks on hallowed ground. In keeping with the sacredness of the place, we were asked to keep talking to a minimum and, when necessary, to whisper. This was important, not only out of respect, but to keep from distracting other people, as they have their own personal, spiritual experiences.

As the pioneers did in 1856, we trek as a group, but the Cove offers the individual the chance to have their own, very personal experience. When we read the stories of the Martin and Willie companies, we see individual journeys, trials, tragedy, heartache, and triumph. We remember the people we were with, and what we did together. We also remember the times when our Heavenly Father spoke to just us, through his Spirit.

Kent is always touched when he goes to Martin’s Cove, as he thinks of his third great-grandmother, her son (his second great-grandfather), and two daughters, who suffered such hardships there. All four survived the trek.

After our time in the Cove, we made our way to the Veil Crossing, which is a footbridge over the Sweetwater. This is another meaningful place. As we walked across that bridge, we said goodbye to 1856 and returned to 2014. As we trekked, we thought of the names of those faithful pioneers who in 1856 toiled, suffered, and were rescued. Now we were encouraged to think of someone in 2014 who might need the help of a rescuer, then reach out to them.

We pulled the handcarts back to the staging area and made our way over to the dining hall for dinner. The missionaries appear to have food preparation and serving down to a finely tuned science. They served close to 200 people in about 5 minutes! After dinner, we were treated to some pretty humorous, and fun continued instruction from the missionaries. (It was fun to watch a man in his late 60’s playing the part of a skateboarding teenager.)

Following the training, we were treated to some square dancing, then we drove out to the Cherry Creek Campground (the one we have reserved for July) to check it out. This is the same campground where we camped in 2010.

We went to bed, tired and grateful. Grateful for the sacrifices and example of the Pioneers, for the wonderful people we had met, for that beautiful place, and for a comfortable place to sleep, in a nice tent. (We’d bet that if we described to one of those pioneers what we would call “roughing it,” they’d look at us like we were from another planet!)

The next morning, we got up early and broke camp, then drove to the site of the Sixth Crossing, near Sweetwater Station Junction. The Sixth Crossing is the staging site for groups who are walking the route the Willie Company took. They are building a large, beautiful Visitor’s Center there, which should be open this year. The Church is sending some of its very best missionaries to the Martin’s Cove and Sixth Crossing sites. We loved them all.

The missionaries treated us to a really nice breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, and fresh scones with honey butter, after which we had another great training session. This time, we weren’t walking and pulling, we just sat and listened, and sometimes wept.

After our morning of training, the missionaries treated us to a tasty lunch of grilled hamburgers, chips, fruit, and ice cream. By now, our stomachs were filled with delicious food, our heads were swimming with lots of great information, and our hearts were overflowing with gratitude.

After the training had ended, we were not anxious to get on the road back to Pleasant Grove, so we made our way to Rock Creek Hollow, near Atlantic City. This is where the Saints in the Willie Company camped, after a grueling trek over Rocky Ridge. That first night, 13 people died from exhaustion and exposure.

Amy’s third great-grandfather, Ole Madsen was one of those thirteen, who are buried there. This is truly a hallowed place, with a rich legacy. Our schedule next July does not afford us the privilege of visiting this wonderful place. We kept wishing that we had the time to bring our youth to feel the spirit there.

While at Rock Creek Hollow, we were extremely blessed to meet Scott Lorimer, former President of the Riverton, Wyoming Stake, who happened to be there with another group at the same time. Bro. Lorimer was the Stake President who was inspired to lead his stake on a “Second Rescue,” to find and complete the temple work for Saints in the Willie and Martin Companies, who died on their journey.

We wanted to stay longer, but it was late in the afternoon and we needed to get on the road. We soldiered on to Farson, where we stopped for ice cream, then continued on. We surely were blessed to spend those two days in Martin’s Cove and Rock Creek Hollow. We headed off “into the sunset,” grateful for such a great opportunity.