Pilot Peak
Pilot Peak Overview
The high, symmetrically shaped mountain seen rising to the north is Pilot Peak, named by John C. Frémont.
The mountain was a symbol of hope and relief to the Reed-Donner Party and all other wagon train pioneers who traveled across the Great Salt Lake Desert on the California Emigrant Trail.
Category
- California Emigrant Trail
- Donner
- Person
Marker Type
Blue marker
Nevada Historical Marker Number
Pilot Peak is Nevada Historical Marker #46.
Click here to view the full list of Nevada State Historical Markers.
County
GPS Coordinates
40.843933, -114.207478
Nevada Historical Marker Transcription
The high, symmetrically shaped mountain seen rising to the north is Pilot Peak, named by John C. Fremont on his expedition of 1845. Previously, the Bartleson-Bidwell party camped here in 1841. These emigrants had traveled one day and night across the Great Salt Lake Desert to find their first water here.
In the period 1845-1850, the peak was a famous landmark and symbol of hope and relief to the Reed-Donner Party and all other wagon train pioneers who traveled the 70-odd miles of deadly, thirst-and-heat-ridden steps across the Great Salt Lake Desert. This desert represented the worst section of the infamous Hastings Cutoff of the California Emigrant Trail.
STATE HISTORIC MARKER NO. 46
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
NORTHEASTERN NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
References Used
Pilot Peak