Butter Creek Ranch
Old windmill and homestead cabin in the sagebrush
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Walk the Oregon Trail

IdeaSeason: June – October

Price to be announced

A half day on foot with a guide, on the hill above Meacham where the Oregon Trail crosses the ranch. The ruts are on private ground and the ranch does not publish where they lie, so a guided walk is the way to see them.

As we plan it

  • Half a day, walking on open grass and through timber, with some climbing
  • Lunch at Meacham Guard Station, in the meadow below the hill
  • Small groups

Good to know

  • Wear sturdy shoes.
  • We are deciding whether to run this. Register interest and tell us when you would come.
The Oregon Trail across the Blue MountainsA drawn map of the trail's route west from the Grande Ronde Valley, over the Blue Mountains through Meacham, Emigrant Springs and Deadman Pass, down to the Umatilla River and west past Echo and the Butter Creek crossing. The hill above Meacham is marked as ranch ground.BLUE MOUNTAINSto the Columbia← to The Dallesfrom the east →Grande Ronde ValleyBlue Mountain summitMeachamLee's EncampmentEmigrant SpringsDeadman PassUmatilla RiverEchocrossing of the UmatillaButter Creekthe crossingRuts on the ranchon the hill above MeachamN
Drawn for the story, not for finding your way. The ruts are on private ranch ground and are visited only with a guide.
The story behind itThe Oregon Trail →Wagon ruts still cross the ranch on the hill above Meacham.