The Nomad carries a small digital camera (see Gear List) with him to
capture the people, places and breathtaking scenery found along the
trail. Every couple of weeks he sends home his camera media card so
online photo albums and videos can be created to share with you. Be sure to check
back often to view these images and experience the journey through his
eyes.
Nimblewill Nomad - Odyssey 2015:
CNHT (Part 1)
May 27, from Parting of the Ways/Raft River Crossing to May 31, Record
Bluff in Little Goose Creek Canyon, Nevada
Follow along as the Nimblewill Nomad and Bart Smith make their
way along the California Trail, starting at the Parting of the Ways/Raft
River Crossing in Idaho. This may well be one of the most subtly
dramatic sites remaining on the emigrant trails. Here, in the middle of
an open, sagebrush plain, the trails diverge. Emigrants had to decide
whether to stay on the main route to Oregon, and head southwest towards
Fort Bridger, or veer right and cross the Little Colorado Desert to make
their way to California. A few days down the trail the Nomad
treats us to a wondrous site, Record Bluff in Little Goose Creek Canyon,
Nevada, where so many of those emigrants have left their marks. Although
the wind causes problems with the audio on this portion, the images are
stellar in capturing the history that has been left behind for all to
witness and appreciate. Names and dates carved into the rocks from the
1840’s and 1850’s, along with some names actually painted on with axle
grease that have miraculously stood the test of time.
Nimblewill Nomad - Odyssey 2015:
CNHT (Part 2)
June 8, from Elko to June 17, Iron Point, Nevada
After leaving the California Trail Interpretive Center, the Nomad
and Bart began making their way to the Greenhorn Cutoff. A couple of
days later they were very fortunate to have permission from the private
land owner to pass through Emigrant Canyon (which is located on private
property), as they headed on toward the Humboldt River. A few days later
they found themselves at Iron Point, trekking just a bit further to
Marker C65A , an open grave marker, they pay their respects and the
Nomad points out some of the swales remaining next to the railgrade.
Nimblewill Nomad - Odyssey 2015:
CNHT (Part 3)
June 25, from Carson City, Nevada to June 27, Sierra Nevada Summit,
California
The Nomad begins this video segment by taking us on a tour of
Carson City, the capital of Nevada, showing us the beautiful tree lined
streets, Court House, Bronze Statue of Kit Carson, and the Capital
Building. Then, leaving the desert of Nevada behind, crossing into
California, climbing through Carson Canyon, the Nomad stops to
provide us with a scenic view of a place called Red Lake. Further along
the trail, he and Bart Smith are climbing toward Carson Pass on the old
Emigrant Road. Reaching Carson Pass we are treated to an historical
reading of the information about this location. Finally, after a
challenging climb, the Nomad and Bart make it up to West Pass and
on to the Sierra Nevada Summit.
Nimblewill Nomad - Odyssey 2015:
CNHT (Part 4)
June 28, from near Mud Lake to July 3, Sutter’s Fort (Sacramento),
California
This video begins with the Nomad and Bart Smith descending from
West Pass and the Sierra Nevada Summit toward Mud Lake, trekking along a
16 mile stretch known as the Gold Rush Trail, enjoying some amazing
swales. Reaching Mud Lake, there lies an emigrant grave of George
Cottonwood, with an iron wagon wheel as his headstone. Later, a brief
pause at the Placerville Aquatic Center, then on to downtown “Hangtown”,
the center of where all the California gold rush started. Further down
the mountain another pause on the trestle of the El Dorado Rail Trail. A
beautiful sight, and it looks as though many have left behind a
remembrance of being there. At last, reaching the end of this year’s
odyssey and the end of the California National Historic Trail, the video
closes with The Nomad and Bart arriving at Sutter’s Fort, in
downtown Sacramento.