Historical Markers of Elko County
Location: Eastern Elko County, Wendover Area Directions: Along I-80 @ Exit 398, 12 mi west of Wendover
N40° 50' 38.3" W114° 12' 27.0"
Date Conquered: 5/13/08 Quick Description: A marker honoring an important geologic landmark for westbound expedition parties. Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was never signed. Superlative! #46 is the last Nevada Historic Marker on eastbound Interstate 80 The ubiquitous semi and trailer plying Interstate 80 in the b.g. The lack of mountains in the b.g indicates the vast flatness of the Bonneville Salt Flats just beyond the horizon. Full Description: Exact description as reads ... The high, symmetrically shaped mountain seen rising to the north is Pilot Peak. In the period 1845- 1850, it was a famous landmark and symbol of hope and relief to the Reed-Donner Party and all other wagon train pioneers who traveled the 70-odd deadly, thirst and heat-ridden miles of the Great Salt Lake Desert. Across this desert, between the Cedar Range on the east and Pilot Peak on the west, stretched perhaps the worst section of the infamous Hastings Cutoff of the California Emigrant Trail. The peak was named by John C. Frémont on his expedition of 1845. Kit Carson, the expedition's guide, was sent ahead to locate water and found a line of springs at the peak's eastern base, now known as McKellar Springs. Carson is reputed to have guided the rest of Frémont's expedition across the salt desert by sending up smoke signals from the peak; hence, Fremont's name for it. During the years 1847-1850, relief parties sallied forth periodically with water from the Pilot Peak springs to rescue and succor the thirst-crazed emigrants and their livestock struggling across the terrible salt desert to the east. What a beautiful mountain! Even in early May, this peak still retains some snow. Imagine the flumes of smoke coming from this peak set from Kit Carson. The rest of Nevada lies beyond. Only 400 miles of desert left to go!
Full Description: Exact description as reads ... The high, symmetrically shaped mountain seen rising to the north is Pilot Peak. In the period 1845- 1850, it was a famous landmark and symbol of hope and relief to the Reed-Donner Party and all other wagon train pioneers who traveled the 70-odd deadly, thirst and heat-ridden miles of the Great Salt Lake Desert. Across this desert, between the Cedar Range on the east and Pilot Peak on the west, stretched perhaps the worst section of the infamous Hastings Cutoff of the California Emigrant Trail. The peak was named by John C. Frémont on his expedition of 1845. Kit Carson, the expedition's guide, was sent ahead to locate water and found a line of springs at the peak's eastern base, now known as McKellar Springs. Carson is reputed to have guided the rest of Frémont's expedition across the salt desert by sending up smoke signals from the peak; hence, Fremont's name for it. During the years 1847-1850, relief parties sallied forth periodically with water from the Pilot Peak springs to rescue and succor the thirst-crazed emigrants and their livestock struggling across the terrible salt desert to the east. What a beautiful mountain! Even in early May, this peak still retains some snow. Imagine the flumes of smoke coming from this peak set from Kit Carson. The rest of Nevada lies beyond. Only 400 miles of desert left to go!
The high, symmetrically shaped mountain seen rising to the north is Pilot Peak. In the period 1845- 1850, it was a famous landmark and symbol of hope and relief to the Reed-Donner Party and all other wagon train pioneers who traveled the 70-odd deadly, thirst and heat-ridden miles of the Great Salt Lake Desert. Across this desert, between the Cedar Range on the east and Pilot Peak on the west, stretched perhaps the worst section of the infamous Hastings Cutoff of the California Emigrant Trail. The peak was named by John C. Frémont on his expedition of 1845. Kit Carson, the expedition's guide, was sent ahead to locate water and found a line of springs at the peak's eastern base, now known as McKellar Springs. Carson is reputed to have guided the rest of Frémont's expedition across the salt desert by sending up smoke signals from the peak; hence, Fremont's name for it. During the years 1847-1850, relief parties sallied forth periodically with water from the Pilot Peak springs to rescue and succor the thirst-crazed emigrants and their livestock struggling across the terrible salt desert to the east. What a beautiful mountain! Even in early May, this peak still retains some snow. Imagine the flumes of smoke coming from this peak set from Kit Carson. The rest of Nevada lies beyond. Only 400 miles of desert left to go!
The peak was named by John C. Frémont on his expedition of 1845. Kit Carson, the expedition's guide, was sent ahead to locate water and found a line of springs at the peak's eastern base, now known as McKellar Springs. Carson is reputed to have guided the rest of Frémont's expedition across the salt desert by sending up smoke signals from the peak; hence, Fremont's name for it. During the years 1847-1850, relief parties sallied forth periodically with water from the Pilot Peak springs to rescue and succor the thirst-crazed emigrants and their livestock struggling across the terrible salt desert to the east. What a beautiful mountain! Even in early May, this peak still retains some snow. Imagine the flumes of smoke coming from this peak set from Kit Carson. The rest of Nevada lies beyond. Only 400 miles of desert left to go!
During the years 1847-1850, relief parties sallied forth periodically with water from the Pilot Peak springs to rescue and succor the thirst-crazed emigrants and their livestock struggling across the terrible salt desert to the east. What a beautiful mountain! Even in early May, this peak still retains some snow. Imagine the flumes of smoke coming from this peak set from Kit Carson. The rest of Nevada lies beyond. Only 400 miles of desert left to go!
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