Following in Their Footsteps
In a remote area a few miles north of Elberta, Utah, the pioneer spirit is thriving.
Though far from the developed areas of Utah Valley, the Mosida Handcart Trek Site brings youth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints closer to their families, faith and also themselves through handcart experiences, like the first Mormon handcart pioneers that walked across the U.S. to Salt Lake City early in 1856.
Trekkers embark on a three-day, two-night journey through 23 miles of trails. By the end of the season, approximately 5,000 people from Utah County and from as far away as Las Vegas and Idaho will take the trek. Of those 5,000 trekkers, the vast majority will be teenagers from the ages of 14-18.
“A lot of them are of the LDS faith, and they’re learning about their heritage,” said Angela Olson, one of the senior missionaries who helps trekkers along their journey.
The women of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake pull their handcarts without the help of the men as they complete the Women's Pull on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at the Mosida Handcart Trek Site near Elberta, Utah. The site brings youth, typically ages 14-18, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closer to their families, faith and also themselves through reenacting handcart experiences, like the first Mormon handcart pioneers that came to Salt Lake City from Iowa City beginning in 1856.
Hannah Gillespie, left, 18, helps apply sun screen to Adelaide Nielson, 18, as members of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake rest. The site aims for authenticity, but trekkers aren't without some comforts such as sun screen, toilets, modern tents, a portable water supply, as well as medical and food staffs.
Kelli Banks is carried by her husband, Derek Banks, and Justin Mott as members of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake complete the River Crossing. The original handcart pioneers had to cross rivers several times to shorten their journey, but the rivers were often frozen and added more toil to the trail.
Members of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake make their way along the trail. Trekkers embark on a three-day, two-night journey through 23 miles of trails on 25,000-acres of land owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The women of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake pull their handcarts without the help of the men as they complete the Women's Pull. “We’ll say ‘your ancestors did this, you may not go starving or anything, but you’re going to have situations where you’re going to need to stand strong and be strong to survive,’" explained Barbara Tarwater, director of the site.
Kyle Hafen, 13, looks at fellow trekkers drink water as Hafen stands with no water bottle of his own as members of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake rest. Being a desert climate, in the summer temperatures can hover around triple digits in the summertime, and staying hydrated is a necessity.
The women of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake pull their handcarts without the help of the men as they complete the Women's Pull. The Women's Pull is a section of the trail in which the women of each family must pull their handcarts uphill through a half mile of ankle-deep sand and dust. This honors the women who pulled their own handcarts because they were single or their husband died along the trail.
Cohen Cecil, 13, holds his hat over his heart as he watches the women of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake pull their handcarts without the help of the men as they complete the Women's Pull. During the women's pull, the men and boys stand to the side of the trails and hold their hats over their hearts to honor the women's struggle.
The women of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake walk together as they complete the Women's Pull during their last day of trekking.
Ryan Craig, 17, center, reads a letter from his parents about life and faith while he and other members of the Santaquin Utah Stake read letters from loved ones as they rest for the day at their campsite.
Preston Taito, 14, holds his "trek baby" as he and other members of the Henderson Nevada Lake Mead Stake rest. Some trekkers were given dolls to help simulate how it would be to endure the journey to Salt Lake City while also caring for babies.
Savannah Johnson, 16, shares her religious testimony inspired by experiences along the trail with other members of the Santaquin Utah Stake in a circle as they rest for the day at their campsite. “A lot of them are of the LDS faith, and they’re learning about their heritage,” said Angela Olson, one of the Senior Missionaries who helps trekkers along their journey.
Tylee Leiter, 18, reads a letter from her parents about life and faith near her campsite. She explained that she was also taking notes about, "the good times, the hard times and the mosquitoes."