Historic Wagon Train skips South Lake Tahoe in 2021
Submitted by paula on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 7:56pm
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - You can blame it on the pandemic...the 72nd annual Wagon Train returns after missing 2020 due to COVID-19, but the schedule and route are being altered due to a lack of California Highway Patrol (CHP) escorts. Organizers said CHP told them they are too short-handed due to the pandemic and cannot spare officers to escort them through Meyers and over Echo Summit this year.
Wagons and horses will gather in Meyers at the Amacker Ranch this weekend, then pack up on Monday and drive to Tamarack Pines at the top of Echo Summit. From there they will start the five-day trek into Placerville on Tuesday morning.
It's been a glimpse of times gone by as horses, wagons, and buggies move along Highway 50. The annual event started in 1949 as a way to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gold Rush. That year, a Wagon Train was formed to travel west from Lake Tahoe to Placerville (Old Hangtown) along Highway 50. Billed as a "one-time" event, it was so popular that it resumed in 1951, and has made its annual trek each year since that time except for the pandemic year.
In the early 1850s, pioneers crossed the Sierra Nevada into California, traversing roads near what we now know as Echo Summit and the Highway 50 corridor. This route became known as the "Roaring Road" where travel was so heavy, oftentimes wagon trains were forced to wait for days to have their turn on the road.
Those interested in catching a glimpse can still do so on the West Slope.
The itinerary (subject to change) June 8-12, 2021:
Tuesday - Tamarack Pines to Kyburz
Wednesday - Kyburz to Fresh Pond
Thursday - Layover Day
Friday - Fresh Pond to Pollock Pines - Celebration at Pollock Pines Community Center
Saturday - Pollock Pines to Placerville - Main Street is the End of the Trail
The Highway 50 Association, the organizers of the annual event, have hopes of South Lake Tahoe being the beginning of the trail once again in 2022.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or website.