Travel News: Ash Hollow, the Pioneer Oasis, Extends a Warm Welcome to Travelers

– Pioneers in the mid-1800s traveled about 500 miles from the Missouri River to reach Ash Hollow.– The Platte River Valley offered good grass for livestock, but was often dusty and lacked trees for firewood.– The water from the Platte River was gritty and unpleasant to drink.– The pioneers faced more rugged terrain ahead.– Ash Hollow provided an oasis with grass, flowers, trees, fruit, game, and clear spring water.– Wagon trains used ropes to lower wagons down Windlass Hill into Ash Hollow.– Ash Hollow and Windlass Hill are now part of Nebraska’s Ash Hollow State Historical Park.

Pioneers heading to Oregon and California in the mid-1800s had traveled about 500 miles from departure points along the Missouri River when they arrived in mid-June at Ash Hollow, one of the most delightful places they would encounter along the entire 2,000-mile journey. By now the travelers had walked alongside their wagons across the northeast corner of Kansas to reach and follow the south bank of the Platte River west through most of present-day Nebraska.

The Platte River Valley was relatively flat and offered good grass for livestock, at least for wagon trains that arrived in the early spring. On the downside, the stretch was often dusty, lacked trees for firewood and was subject to severe thunderstorms. The river, often said to be a mile wide and an inch deep, offered water that tended to be gritty and generally unpleasant to drink. The journey to this point hadn’t been particularly difficult, but the pioneers knew the terrain ahead would be considerably more rugged.

In the early years of the trail wagon trains crossed the Platte’s primary southern tributary approximately 15 miles west of present-day Ogallala, Nebraska, where oxen strained to pull loaded wagons up the first major incline often called “California Hill.” The trail then meandered 18 miles across a ridge to “Windlass Hill,” that required a steep descent emptying into Ash Hollow and the North Platte Valley. Pioneers generally tackled the hill by locking the back wheels and using ropes to lower wagons from the summit to the head of the hollow.

Ash Hollow proved an oasis that offered grass, flowers, trees, fruit, game for hunting and, most importantly, clear spring water for drinking. Here the pioneers gathered wood, tended to needed repairs and enjoyed some downtime before continuing their journey. Departing Ash Hollow, wagon trains exited the mouth of the canyon and turned west on the south side of the North Platte River they would follow to Fort Laramie. Along the way the travelers were fascinated by famed landmarks including Courthouse Rock, Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff.

Ash Hollow and Windlass Hill today are components of Nebraska’s Ash Hollow State Historical Park. Windlass Hill, described in some pioneer diaries as a perpendicular descent, is located a few miles south of the hollow. A paved and relatively steep walking path leads…

As seen in the coverage by The Daily Star, pioneers traveling to Oregon and California in the mid-1800s would come across a delightful place called Ash Hollow. This oasis was located about 500 miles from their departure points along the Missouri River and was one of the most pleasant stops along their 2,000-mile journey.

To reach Ash Hollow, the pioneers had to walk alongside their wagons across the northeast corner of Kansas and follow the south bank of the Platte River through most of present-day Nebraska. The Platte River Valley provided relatively flat terrain and good grass for livestock, making it a suitable resting place for wagon trains that arrived in the early spring. However, the stretch was often dusty, lacked trees for firewood, and experienced severe thunderstorms. The river itself was known to be a mile wide and an inch deep, with gritty and unpleasant drinking water. Despite these challenges, the pioneers knew that the terrain ahead would be even more rugged.

In the early years of the trail, wagon trains crossed the Platte River’s primary southern tributary approximately 15 miles west of present-day Ogallala, Nebraska. This crossing, known as “California Hill,” posed a significant incline that required oxen to strain as they pulled loaded wagons uphill. After crossing the hill, the trail meandered 18 miles across a ridge to Windlass Hill, which featured a steep descent into Ash Hollow and the North Platte Valley. To navigate this descent, pioneers would lock the back wheels of their wagons and use ropes to lower them from the summit to the head of the hollow.

Ash Hollow provided the pioneers with an oasis-like experience. It offered abundant grass, flowers, trees, fruit, and game for hunting. Most importantly, the hollow had clear spring water for drinking, which was a refreshing change from the gritty water of the Platte River. Here, the pioneers would gather wood, make necessary repairs to their wagons, and enjoy some downtime before continuing their journey. Upon leaving Ash Hollow, wagon trains would exit the mouth of the canyon and turn west on the south side of the North Platte River, following it all the way to Fort Laramie. Along this route, the travelers would come across famous landmarks such as Courthouse Rock, Chimney Rock, and Scotts Bluff.

Today, Ash Hollow and Windlass Hill are part of Nebraska’s Ash Hollow State Historical Park. Windlass Hill, described in pioneer diaries as a perpendicular descent, is located a few miles south of the hollow. Visitors can explore the park and experience the steep walking path that leads to Windlass Hill, gaining a sense of the challenges faced by the pioneers. Ash Hollow State Historical Park serves as a reminder of the arduous journey undertaken by these early pioneers and the oasis they found along the way.

Accordingly, Ash Hollow was a significant stop for pioneers traveling to Oregon and California in the mid-1800s. It provided a much-needed respite with its lush vegetation, clear spring water, and opportunities for rest and repair. Today, visitors can visit Ash Hollow State Historical Park to learn more about this pioneer oasis and gain a deeper appreciation for the hardships faced by those who traveled the Oregon and California trails.