Avenue of Rock

Entering the Poison Spring Creek drainage, the trail takes a quick zig-zag to descend through a small gulch between rows of exposed rock layers -- the "Avenue of Rock". While unspectacular by standards of what we know of the western U.S. today, it was no doubt a remarkable landform to the pioneers who passed by here in the 19th century.

There is a good stretch of original trail ruts between the modern road and the southern wall of the "avenue", and some pioneer inscriptions can be seen on the rocks here.

The Martin handcart company camped near here in the snow after their first day's journey from the crossing at Bessemer Bend.

"Avenue of Rock"

South wall of the "avenue"

Looking along the south wall

Looking across the "avenue"

Trail ruts through the avenue

Inscriptions on the south wall

MSR Maps link for this location