Mormon Youth Pioneer Trek 2009

Area Mormon youth re-enact the arrival of the original Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 including, from left, Spencer Mason, Sarah Mostafie, Sonoma Rutledge, Kelsie Davey, Lane Christensen; and, back row, from left, Garrett Marsh, Rachel Roskelley and Cheryl Christensen.

Scores of young people from western Nevada County pressed against heavy handcarts along country in a recent re-enactment of the arrival of the original Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley. They were among 185 young people 14 to 18 years old from the Auburn Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Assisted by 75 adults, they pulled 20 handcarts for three days over 15 miles of difficult terrain north of Chester, Calif. They joined tens of thousands of Mormon youth in similar re-enactments across the nation July 23 to 25. Pioneers led by Brigham Young arrived in what is now the Salt Lake City area July 24, 1847.Before the great Mormon migration ended with the completion of the railroad, more than 60,000 crossed the plains, mostly on foot. Even those coming with wagon companies usually walked alongside to spare the oxen and avoid the jarring ride. Many of those, coming in large numbers from Britain and Scandinavia, had already crossed the stormy Atlantic before beginning the march across the plains and over the Rockies. For them, the voyage frequently began in January and did not end until October. One-third of the local trekkers are direct descendants of original pioneers.

One of the greatest challenges on this outing was keeping the group supplied with food and water in temperatures over 85 degrees, with no water sources along the route and with no fires allowed, including cooking fires, Trek Leader Selby Bearry of Lake of the Pines said. (Selby was known to the trekkers as Captain Willy.)No injuries apart from sore feet and minor dehydration were reported.Other trek leaders included Cathy Bearry, and Program Heads Curt and Debbie Chittock from Penn Valley.The trek was divided into four companies, with five families in each company, each family responsible for pulling one wagon; 20 area couples led the families.

Local participants included Bishop Jack Emery, Shel and Gary Mullennax, Jean and Jim Richardson, Cheryl and Layne Christiansen, Nancy and Dave DeMartini, Leslie and Rich Goddard, Deb and Stan Stoneking, Kathy and Brian Stephensen, Lori and Nate Davey, Bishop Steven Glazier and Ralph and Marianne McKnight.The property was donated for the trek by the Collins Pine Company of Chester. Handcarts were rented from Deseret Farms in Chico.Activities en route included pioneer games, square dancing in the evening, and lots of music.Each person on the trek was given an identity of one of the original pioneers, and all participants were dressed in period attire. The event ended with a celebration Saturday evening at the Nevada City chapel. The youth gave some inspiring talks in church the following day.

Amber Church (Y.W. Leader) and Sonoma showing off costumes Karen made for this event.