The Western Trail

The Great Western Trail was used to transport cattle and horses from the west to markets in the eastern and northern states. The western trail was built by the French and was more than 400 miles long. Using this trail, cattle and horses could easily reach eastern and northern markets. Today, you can find this historic route on the National Park Service website. Here are a few facts about the Western Trail. Let’s start by learning how it was built.

The Western Trail was largely a route for trading cattle in the southwest and was a popular mode of transportation in the past. The first droves took place in 1885, and the trail was soon cut down. The Texas Fever epidemic decimated the herds in the north, which eventually led to the death of the Western Trail. Barbed wire fences, beefier cattle breeds, and the introduction of quarantines halted traffic.

Many riders who have competed in western trail competitions have expressed the desire to create an international effort to commemorate the trail. In 2009, Ray Klinginsmith, then president of Rotary International, suggested an international effort to commemorate the Western Trail. He said, “I want to honor the people who made the trail possible. We want the world to know that the western trail is an important part of our history.” However, the process began in Spain.

The first leg of the Great Western Trail was named Bulldog Canyon and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It winds through the area of the Red Rock Mountains and then crosses Butterfield Road. The final section of the Great Western Trail was completed in 1996 along Cave Creek. The next stage was the renowned Seven Springs Campground. This campsite was established in the 1930s and connected to the Bloody Basin Road. This historic site became the first “Point of Discovery” in the area.

The Western Trail has a unique history. Initially, the trail was a way for the U.S. military to transport livestock. Later, the Trail began as a horse-drawn path between two major railways, the Union Pacific and the Santa Fe Railroad. In the 1920s, the U.S. Army drove the Comanche and Kiowa onto reservations. The Great Walled Trail was a great bountiful resource for cattle.

The Great Western Trail has been designated a national trail for pedestrians and bicyclists. It passes through five western states and Canada. Its first section from Fort Worth to Mexico was dedicated as the National Millennium Trail in 1999. Its length is 4,455 miles (7,170 km). After passing through the Moqui Stage Station, travelers can continue to travel to Parks. Throughout the trip, you can visit historical sites such as ruins and monuments.