2004 wagon train trip, Clark, WY

1. Wagon Train Trip 2004
By
Ray Sammons
In 2003 we scheduled a five-day covered wagon safari for
August of 2004 this was to be “the trip of a lifetime!”,
“Our Mountain Cruise.” However, when it came time to
leave Phyllis’ hip was too sore for a bumpy wagon train
ride. So, at her insistence, I went on the trip alone.
The trip consisted of one day of training followed by four
days of driving a team of horses, pulling a modern covered
wagon to sleep in every night.
This is a pictures log of the trip
Day 1: Training
Fort Shiloh,
where the
Wagon Train
started, is on
the front range
of the
Absarokee
Mountains in
Clark, Wyoming.
The first day started
with a full breakfast
of eggs, bacon, and
toast.

2. The Wagon
Master, Kurt
McNabb,
turned the
eggs as the
guest filed by.
After breakfast, it
was orientation and
reviewing the
safety measures
used on the trip.
Kurt’s grandson,
Little Kurt, was
not concerned
about class; he
needed a horse
to ride! And he
needed it now!
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3. After the
barn session
each driver
harnessed
their assigned
team and
moved into the
big corral for
the first
driving
session.
The first driving
sessions were
done on a two
wheeled two
seated cart
where the driving
skills were
observed by an
assistant trainer.
Keep the lines
snug, and pull
left or right to
turn.
Pull both lines
to stop.
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4. The teams
patiently
waited for
their turn.
After the cart training each driver was assigned a wagon
and their team was transferred to that wagon and they
continued test driving in the big corral.
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5. Before the road
trip started each
horse’s shoes are
checked,
tightened, or
replaced.
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6. Day 2: First day on the Trail
The wagons
waited for their
horses.
The horses
waited for their
drivers.
In due time
Clancy (Kurt’s
youngest son) and
his faithful
hound lead the
train up the road
into the
mountains.
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7. The road into
the mountains
provided lots
of scenery.
All crops must be
irrigated and mostly
from a gated pipe.
Crossing the
Clark’s Fork
River.
Sprinkler irrigation,
the easy and
expensive way to
irrigate.
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8. The road
becomes a
track.
The first night we
camped in a green
grass compound,
which was a
welcome change
from the road.
The drivers and
passengers all
gathered around
a camp fire
drinking coffee
and waiting for
the evening
meal.
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9. Day 3: The trail into the mountains
Some of the
crew slept in
until
breakfast was
ready.
Cooking the bacon.
And next the
pancakes.
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10. A horse lost
its shoe and a
replacement is
put on before
starting on
the trail.
Today another of
Kurt’s grandsons
joined the out
rider staff.
Coffee and a
warm fire
before
breakfast.
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11. We left the
irrigated valley
and started our
climb into the
mountains.
Occasionally the
road dipped and
the horses could
coast down hill.
The wagons were
separated by
enough space so
no one ‘ate the
trail dust’.
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12. Clancy and his
faithful
companion
observe the
passing wagons.
Coming down, –
carefully!
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13. Lunch break for
the drivers ….
Rest for the horses …
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14. The climb
continues
The outriders take
a shortcut through
the sagebrush.
The rolling,
flushing toilet.
Best use it
when parked!
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15. At camp the
horses were
unharnessed
and turned
loose for some
water and clean
green hay.
Fuel for tomorrow.
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16. Clancy’s
chaps,
saddle, rifle
and
scabbard.
The
outriders’
closet.
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17. The camp ‘facilities’, a two holler.
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18. As the
sun goes
down
activities
centered
around
the fire in
the open
faces
lodge.
This evening,
after dinner,
the drivers and
passengers
enjoyed the
musical
entertainment.
This family
came from
Oklahoma to play for the camp.
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19. Little Kurt
roasted
marshmallows.
Grandma, Kurt’s wife
and chief camp-cook,
took a break and held
Little Kurt’s little
brother.
(Grandma rode over
400 miles horseback
during the summer.)
When on the
floor, this
grandson
enjoyed the
fire.
Keeping him out
of the fire was
a constant vigil.
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20. Day 4: Driving the 4 horse hitch
This was a day in
camp – no driving.
Kurt hitched 4
horses to the
touring wagon and
everyone went
for a ride higher
into the
mountain.
Camp is the
white blotch
on the left
above the
trees and
black
horses.
The touring
wagon.
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21. This is part of “The
100 Mile Route”
between
Meeteetse, WY and
Red Lodge, MT.
Meeteetse was the
home of Butch
Cassidy.
It was made by
the Army in the
1860s.
It’s beautiful
country!
The rock pass
ahead looks
impassable, or a
great place for a
holdup!
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22. On the
stagecoach trail,
outriders in the
lead.
At noon the wagon
stopped for lunch
and the horses
waited for their
passengers to eat
and frequent the
rolling outhouse.
As we ate a rancher
was working some
cattle on a distant
flat area.
The sky was clear,
the air fresh, and it
was a great day to
be outdoors.
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23. After lunch each
guest took a turn
driving the 4
horse hitch.
I took a turn with
the lines.
This is not
something you get
to do everyday!
The sound of
horses walking, the
view of the
mountains, life is
good!
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24. The evening
program
tonight was
put on by
the Atnip
family ,9
children,
even the
young ones
are on
stage!
Wagon
Master,
Kurt
McNabb,
watches
the young
Atnip girls
play! What
fun!
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25. Day 5: The trip home
Clancy’s horse
nibbled on the
lodge benches
as he prepared
to lead the
Wagon Train
down the
mountain and
home. This will
be the longest
drive of the
trip.
The horses enjoy
down hill!
It was downhill,
most of the
time.
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26. Lunch is a
short stop
along the
trail.
Eating
sandwiches in
the wagon.
And be ready
to roll on
command.
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27. On the road
again.
The Wagon
Master
flanks the
moving train.
And the wagons
continue
downhill
towards home.
When we arrived
back at Fort Shiloh
the wagons were
parked, horses
unharnessed,
goodbyes were said.
And with that,
the 2004
Wagon Train
became
history!
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