Independence Rock & Martin's Cove

 

We stopped at Independence Rock which was a major landmark on the trail to the west for the pioneers as well as the miners and any others wanting to find their freedom and fortune in the west in the mid 1800's

Martins cove was powerfully spiritual for all of us who weren't too cold. We were greeted by very cold weather but some warm hearted Senior Missionaries. It was amazing to know we were in the very place that the Martin Handcart Co. suffered so many losses, but came to know their heavenly father in a way most of us will never experience.

There were four young men who assisted the weary, frozen pioneers across the partially frozen Sweetwater river.  Those four men all died later from complications related to that selfless sacrifice. Here at the site there are three bronze and granite sculptures standing as witnesses to their honor.

Devils Gate is also a large landmark on the trail west. It was formed by the Sweetwater River over thousands of years.

Below is a look from the high point of the actual cove where the Martin Company holed up for four days and five nights. While the wind was howling about 40 mph when we started the tour, up in this cove it was very still which helped us to realize why they came up into this protection. Obviously the stairs were added in the past few years and not there when the pioneers were.