Battalion Trek - Adventures and Aha Moments Hiking the Mormon Battalion Trail

Eight intrepid souls march into the Plaza in Old Town San Diego arriving on the same date the original Battalion did January 29, 1847.  No fanfare, no welcoming committee - just a sense of connection with those we were honoring and a quiet sense of satisfaction. 

Learn how an archeologist, hair stylist, highschool history teacher, and opthalmology tech saved The Vail Ranch History of Temecula, CA.  If you don't get the history bug from these dedicated folk, you'll have to contribute a quarter into their  mythical "Tell-people-about-history-when-they-aren't-particularly-interested" jar. 

You'll be touched by the insights they have about the Mormon Battalion experiences in their area - and how that experience was part of the law suit that saved the buildings and restoration project you see today.

Go visit them and experience their wonderful exhibits and hands-on opportunities.   https://www.vailhq.com/ 

Take a virtual tour of Vail Heaquarters with Rebecca (aka "The Temecula History Lady".)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2cZxyB1E0 

Have your heart touched as you hear the poignant story that happened here in a less well-known location along the Mormon Battalion Trail.  And, who better to tell it than our friends, Darell and Rebecca Farnbach local historians extraordinare.  They have embraced the Battalion story making it their own in a way that is both heartwarming and inspiring.

Visit the Vail Ranch Headquarters and immerse yourself in the great experiences provided for all ages.   https://www.vailhq.com/history

Our son, Jon had no clue what lay in wait for him when he came to celebrate his 24th birthday with us on the trail near Mason Valley.  The teddy bear cactus were in fine form, and the heat and terrain about as inhospitable as the Battalion experienced in 1847.  His perspective is insightful.  "What are you gonna do? Turn around and go back through all the horrible stuff you've been through or go forward?"

We had trail angels come in a lot of forms along the long trek, but when Craig joined us at Vallecito Valley to Box Canyon, he brought a breath of fresh air and lifted the hearts of some very weary hikers.

Close your eyes as we and our trek friends attempt to help you imagine what it was like hiking through river bottom sand, a cactus forest, a hill of giant granite boulders and ending up in a flash-flood carved canyon.

This is the second episode as we are walking listeners through the 3-day stretch between Plaster City, CA and Box Canyon in the sequence we hiked it.  You’ll hear from multiple people in this group of interviews who share their various perspectives. We hope it will give you a glimpse of what it is like on that part of the trail.

From Yuma, Arizona to Carizzo Creek, California - the Battalion had to survive 90 miles of the most desolate desert imaginable.  Even with cached water, military escorts, and food in their packs our intrepid hikers, Kevin, Peter, and Terry share the challenges they faced during this stretch.

The Battalion didn't know what lay ahead of them when they left what is now modern day Plaster City, CA but our reconnaissance trip the night before gave us a sneak peak into what our trekkers would be facing.  If you haven't visited this place it's impossible to imagine - especially the stench of the water!

To see a video of Kevin explaining and showing what Carizzo Creek looks like, visit Kevin's interactive map of the trail and go to January Trail Events>Carizzo Creek map pin.  The map is found at this link:  https://mapntour.com/view/mbtfs 

Do you ever wonder what it is like to hike at night along the trail? Peter and Kevin were joined by Kevin’s former missionary companion Mark Woodbury to participate in the never to be forgotten El Centro Night Hike. Watching the happy reunion of these missionary companions – made me think of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah from the Book of Mormon. There was rejoicing (in this case after 34 years) to see “they were still … brethren in the Lord, yea and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth…”

You’ll hear more from Mark and his wife Becky about our time in San Diego… and at the end of the podcast segments – we’ll have them give you an update about the Famous Battalion Trek Porta Potty.

Trace Skeen shares his experience hiking the trail near Yuma, AZ and how he came to write a musical production to share the Battalion Story.

He talks about some of his favorite songs.  We have included the overture and a recording of Trace singing a few songs from the rehearsal CD which we share with his permission.

For more information on the script or music for “Battalion: The Musical” please contact Trace Skeen at [email protected] or call/text him at 435-938-1586.

Two days after Christmas, Paul & Dixie Lyman joined the Wilson crowd to hike to Oatman Mesa near Gila Bend, Arizona. Paul was on Battalion Trek's Board of Directors.  We were lucky to catch up him and Dixie while they were serving a mission in Germany.  Having spent years researching the Willie Handcart Company’s path from Liverpool England to Salt Lake City, they had a unique perspective on our Trek.

Paul’s experience enabled him to point out the wagon wheel rust marks on the rocks going up to Oatman Mesa. This was a memory every person who hiked that day pointed out as a highlight in their memories.

Paul’s book is titled “The Willie Handcart Company.”

If you’d like to see his book in an interactive map style similar to the Mormon Battalion Trail, go to https://www.mapntour.com/view/WHT