A wagon train trip, in Clark WY, 2004.

1. Wagon Train Trip 2004
By
Ray Sammons
Last year as we were leaving Wyoming, going back to
Tucson, we reserved a spot on a wagon train trip. This
year when it came time to leave Phyllis did not want to
go with her sore hip so, at her insistence, I went on the
trip without her.
The five day trip started with one day of training
followed by four days of driving your team of horses,
pulling a modern covered wagon to sleep in every night.
The following are some pictures of the trip:
Day 1: Training
The Fort Shiloh
compound where the
Wagon Train Trip
started.
The first day started
with a full breakfast
of eggs, bacon, and
toast ….

2. The Wagon Master,
Kurt McNabb turned
the eggs as the
guest filed by.
After breakfast it was
orientation and reviewing
the safety measures used
on the trip.
Kurt’s grandson,
Little Kurt, was not
concerned about
class, he needed a
horse to ride!
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3. After the barn
session each driver
harnessed their
assigned team and
moved into the big
corral for the first
driving session.
The first driving
sessions were done on a
two wheeled two seated
cart where the driving
skills were observed by
an assistant trainer.
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4. The teams patiently
waited for their turn.
After the cart training each driver was assigned a
wagon and their team was transferred to that wagon
and they continued test driving in the big corral.
4

5. Before the road trip
started each horse’s
shoes are checked,
tightened, or
replaced.
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6. Day 2:First day on the Trail
The wagons waiting for
their horses.
Horses waiting for their
drivers.
In due time Clancy
(Kurt’s youngest son)
and his faithful
hound lead the train
down the road.
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7. Some scenery along
the Trail.
Irrigation water from a
gated pipe.
Crossing the Clark’s
Fork River.
Sprinkler irrigation.
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8. The first night we camped in a
green grass compound.
The group gathered
around a camp fire
drinking coffee and
waiting for the evening
meal.
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9. Day 3: The trail into the mountains
Some of the crew
sleep in until breakfast
is ready.
Cooking the bacon.
And next the pancakes.
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10. A horse lost its shoe
and a replacement is
made before starting
on the trail.
This day another of
Kurt’s grandsons joined
the out rider staff.
Coffee and a warm fire
before breakfast.
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11. On the trail up to the
mountains.
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12. Clancy and his faithful
companion.
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13. Lunch break for the
drivers ….
Rest for the horses …
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14. The climb continues
The outriders
The rolling flushing toilet.
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15. At camp the horses
were unharnessed and
turned loose for some
water and hay.
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16. Clancy’s
chaps,
saddle,
rifle and
scabbard.
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17. The camp facilities, a two holler.
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18. As the
sun goes
down
activities
centered
around
the fire
in the
open face
lodge.
The evening was filled
with musical
entertainment.
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19. Little Kurt flamed a
marshmallow.
And quickly blows out the
flame on his blackened
marshmallow.
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20. Grandma, Kurt’s wife and
chief camp cook took a
break and held Little
Kurt’s little brother.
(She rode over 400 miles
horseback during the
summer.)
Keeping him out of the
fire.
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21. Kurt’s two grandsons
joined the card game.
Little Kurt looks at
the pictures with his
mother.
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22. Day 4: Driving the 4 horse hitch
On this day Kurt
hitched 4 horses to
the touring wagon and
everyone went for a
ride farther up the
mountain.
Camp is the white blotch
on the left above the
black horses.
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23. The road is a 100 year
old stage coach road
going to Red Lodge, MT.
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24. At noon the wagon
stopped for lunch and the
horses waited for their
passengers to eat and
frequent the rolling
outhouse.
A rancher was working
some cattle on a distant
ridge near the lunch
stop.
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25. After lunch each guest
took a turn driving the
4 horse hitch.
Ray with the lines.
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26. The
evening
program
was put
on by the
Atnip
family (9
children)
And Wagon
Master, Kurt
McNabb
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27. Day 5: The trip home
Clancy’s horse nibbled
on the lodge benches as
he prepared to lead the
Wagon Train down the
mountain and home; the
longest drive of the
trip.
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28. Lunch is a short
stop along the
trail.
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29. The Wagon Master
flanking the train.
Arriving back at Fort
Shiloh the wagons
were parked, horses
unharnessed,
goodbyes were said
and the 2004 Wagon
Train became
history!
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