Item Detail
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17081
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0
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0
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English
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The Incredible Saga of Hole-in-the-Rock
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Pioneer
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2004
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51
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no.4
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11-9
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When Church leaders decided to establish a Mormon settlement in the isolated area near the San Juan River in southeastern Utah, Silas S. Smith was called to head the expedition and determine whether or not a colony in the area was feasible. His report was favorable, but the route he had taken was extremely long and it was determined that a more direct route through Escalante would be used. Leaving in late 1879, a group of colonizing missionaries set out for the San Juan. It was estimated their journey would take six weeks and that they would arrive in time to prepare for winter. It soon became apparent, however, that the proposed trail had not been adequately explored. Blocked by snow, the group was forced to blaze ahead through impossibly harsh and rugged terrain. Four groups were set up to: 1) build a road for the wagons through the Hole-in-the rock, 2) build a road from the base of the hole to the Colorado River, 3) construct a ferry to transport the wagons across the river, and 4) build a road out of the gorge on the other side of the river. Working simultaneously, the group successfully moved the company past the Hole-in-the-Rock. When the company finally arrived at the settlement in Bluff more than six months after setting out, they had blazed an incredible route through 290 miles of the roughest terrain in North America. They had built over 200 miles of new roads and had, through sheer determination, courage, and work, completed one of the most amazing wagon journeys in history.