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West End of Hastings Cutoff

West End of Hastings Cutoff

West End of Hastings Cutoff Overview

Across the Humboldt Valley southward from this point a deeply incised canyon opens into a valley. Through that canyon ran the route called the Hastings Cutoff. It was first traversed in 1841
by the earliest organized California emigrant group.

In 1846, The ill-fated Reed Donner Party traveled through here.

Category

  • Donner 
  • Trail/Road

Marker Type

Stone marker

Nevada Historical Marker Number

West End of Hastings Cutoff is Nevada Historical Marker #3.

Click here to view the full list of Nevada State Historical Markers.

County

Elko County, Nevada

GPS Coordinates

Nevada Historical Marker Transcription

Across the Humboldt Valley southward from this point a deeply incised canyon opens into a valley.  Through that canyon along the South Fork of the Humboldt River ran the disaster-laden route called the Hastings Cutoff.  It joined the regular Fort Hall route running on both sides of the Humboldt here.

The canyon was first traversed in 1841 by the Bartleson-Bidwell Party, the earliest organized California emigrant group.  In 1846, Lansford Hastings guided a party through this defile of the South Fork and out along the Humboldt.  The ill-fated Reed Donner Party followed later the same year.

By 1850, the dangers of the cutoff route were recognized and it was abandoned.

CENTENNIAL MARKER No. 3

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

References Used

West End of Hastings Cutoff