What a delight to finally find the location of Fremont's Christmas Camp. As we stood there it was hard to imagine multiple feet of snow on that cold December 1848, 164 years ago. Places had no names and they could only describe what they saw at that time. I'm sure that somewhere under the current growth there is a brass button (or other artifact) to mark their passage.
For me, it was a great adventure.
Off we go following Dennis. That is Mesa Mountain in the background.
After circumscribing a full circle interrupted by lunch, Dennis found a post on the almost non-existent cattle trail. Spreading out once more we attempted to follow the trail until we found a downed carsonite post (did I spell that right?). Dennis then knew where to look and the sign was found. The camp was nearby.
First photo is looking down the Embargo Creek drainage with the second the group hikes out of the drainage. The sign states "Fremont Camp 1" with an arrow pointing east.
Climbing back up we encountered back lit willows and came upon these 2 crosses on the top of the ridge. There is an interesting story in this place, but we know it not.
Looking west, Pool Table Mountain is to the left and Palmer Mesa is to the right. The Rio Grande Pyramid is on the horizon just right of center. Fremont was searching for a central railroad route through the mountains. Alas, Pool Table was about as far west as he got before he had to retreat. Who goes looking for a railroad route through the Rocky Mountains in the winter?
Bob.
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