THE TRIP

Your journey begins in Jackson, Wyoming, with transportation provided to the Bridger-Teton National Forest. After meeting the wagon master and crew, you will be assigned to a wagon or fitted to a horse and saddle, and then enjoy days in the wilderness. There will be frequent rest stops with time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The wagon covers will be rolled up to give you a full view of the passing scenery. You may ride a horse in rotation (or full time if you decide to purchase the option). There will be special guided trail rides into the surrounding wilderness. 

In addition to the activities planned by our outfitter, Professor Bonner will be our resident historian and will discuss the history of the West.

We will conclude our western adventure by attending the Jackson Hole Rodeo on Saturday evening in Jackson. 

Create lifetime memories for your family - children are welcome on this unusual adventure!

FACULTY LEADER

Robert Bonner, Marjorie Crabb Garbisch Professor of History, emeritus, has been at Carleton since 1967 as a history department faculty member and, from 1992 to 1995, as dean of students. During his career, his teaching interests shifted from English and European history to the the American West. He has consulted on a federal reclamation project in Wyoming and taught courses on the history of American public land and American Indian history. Bonner has published and lectured on a variety of topics about the American West, including water and development, and recently published a book about Buffalo Bill Cody and his namesake town, Cody, Wyoming.

THE AREA

Our trip will take place inside the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Mount Leidy Highlands. Elevations range from 7,000-10,000 feet above sea level. Temperatures will range from night-time lows in the 30s to daytime highs in the mid-70s.

The Jackson Hole area is dominated by the magnificent Tetons.  Directly across the valley from the Tetons lies the Mount Leidy Highlands. This forms the northeastern edge of Jackson Hole and is drained by Spread Creek and portions of the Gros Ventre River.  The main river valleys have a network of logging roads along the lower portions; however the upper elevations are wilderness. The names of several places we’ll be traveling through are Rosie’s Ridge, Mount Leidy, Leidy Lake and the North and South Fork of Spread Creek. This area is the calving grounds and summer range for the prolific Gros Ventre elk herd.  Moose, mule deer, coyotes, bear and a variety of raptors inhabit the surrounding backcountry.   

ACCOMMODATIONS

Participants will sleep in two-person spring bar tents with a foam mattress or in the wagons where the padded seats fold down into bunks. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag (or rent one from the outfitter) and pillow.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

See the "Trip Information" sheet in blue box on right. 

Contact Merilyn Calcutt at 800-729-2586 (general office number) or 507-222-5602 (Merilyn's direct line) or mcalcutt@carleton.edu with your questions.

Trip facilitated by Wagons West.