41-590: The Michigan River is a tributary of the North Platte River , approximately 69 miles (111 km) long, in north central Colorado in the United States . It drains a rural part of the eastern side of North Park in eastern Jackson County . The river issues from Michigan Lakes , a chain of alpine lakes at 11,208 ft (3,416 m), along the continental divide in southeast Jackson County just east of Nokhu Crags . It descends north then west to flow past
82-760: A foothold on the Northwest coast and enable the development and prosecution of a more profitable trade with the Chinese, formed the Pacific Fur Company . The six partners in the company (not including Astor) were all Canadians and former prominent figures in the North West Company , except for Hunt who was the sole American. Hunt was second in line behind Astor as "partner and first resident agent", acting as his personal representative in his absence. The company sent two simultaneous expeditions: one by sea directly to
123-642: A fur trading outpost at the mouth of the Columbia River. The Astorians, as they have become known, were the first major party to cross to the Pacific after the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Historical records refer to Hunt both as "William" and as "Wilson." Originally from Trenton, New Jersey , Hunt moved to St. Louis in 1804 and worked selling various merchandise for several years. In 1810 he became connected with John Jacob Astor. Astor, as part of his plan to gain
164-502: A partner in the company, accompanied Hunt. McKenzie had extensive wilderness experience, having served ten years in the interior as a clerk for the Northwest Company. "Under… two such leaders as Hunt and McKenzie, he [Astor] had, in fact, everything to hope and little to fear." On July 5, 1810, Hunt and McKenzie set out for St. Louis from Montreal with a number of Canadian voyageurs . En route, they continued to recruit men for
205-563: A party, Hunt arrived at Nodaway, Missouri , on November 16, 1810, and settled into winter quarters. They departed April 22, 1811. In the course of traveling up the Missouri River , Hunt recruited several former Missouri Fur Company men returning from the interior. His original plan had been to ascend the Missouri and then the Yellowstone rivers , but information provided by these men regarding
246-629: A slow flowing, shallow braided stream . The upper reaches of the river in the Rockies in Colorado and Wyoming are popular for recreation rafting and fly fishing on the river and its many tributaries for rainbow trout and other sport fish. In western Nebraska, the banks and riverbed of the North Platte provide a green oasis amid an otherwise semi-arid region of North America. The river has been dammed several times to form several reservoirs along its course. On
287-743: Is now Casper, Wyoming the main emigration trails left the North Platte valley and followed the Sweetwater River valley and other river valleys going further west. The trail route along the North Platte River was first written about by Wilson Price Hunt of the Astor Expedition who was traveling back to the Missouri River from the newly established Fort Astoria on the Columbia River in 1811. The lack of American trappers and settlers in
328-674: The Beaver , in order to establish trade with the Russian establishment at New Archangel in modern-day Alaska, leaving Duncan McDougall in charge of the fort. Hunt remained absent from Astoria longer than intended, forced to wait for payment at New Archangel and then detouring to the Hawaiian Islands to repair damage to the Beaver sustained in a storm. While in the Hawaiian Islands, he learned of
369-590: The Encampment River . All these streams are draining the snow melt form the mountains surrounding Jackson County. The North Platte River flows northward from Colorado into Wyoming through the popular rafting site – Northgate Canyon which is along the western side of the Medicine Bow Mountains . In Colorado and Wyoming, the river is narrower and much swifter flowing than it is in Nebraska, where it becomes
410-599: The Fort Laramie National Historic Site (the former site of Fort Laramie), where it is joined by the Laramie River . The North Platte is joined by Horse Creek flowing in from Wyoming near the Wyoming-Nebraska border as its last significant addition. It crosses into western Nebraska, flowing east-southeast between the cities of Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Gering, Nebraska . In Keith County, Nebraska ,
451-660: The Granite Mountains to the west and the Laramie Mountains to the east. The North Platte emerges from the mountains near Casper, where it turns and flows east-southeast, along the northern edge of the Laramie Mountains onto the Great Plains . The North Platte flows east-southeast across the plains of eastern Wyoming, past the town of Douglas, Wyoming and through Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs. It then flows past
SECTION 10
#1732855396521492-570: The Hoback River to its junction with the Snake River and crossed Teton Pass to the abandoned Fort Henry , arriving October 18, 1811. Knowing that they were now on the headwaters of the Columbia, the party anticipated the majority of their struggles to be over, and Hunt yielded to the desires of his men to abandon the horses and embark downstream by canoe. This was a fateful decision as the course of
533-518: The Kingsley Dam forms Lake C.W. McConaughy , the largest reservoir in Nebraska and a significant irrigation and recreation facility for the region. Kingsley Dam, constructed in 1935 to 1941, is located on the east side of Lake McConaughy in central Keith County, Nebraska, and is the second largest hydraulic fill dam in the world. East of the Kingsley dam the North Platte River flows nearly parallel to
574-505: The Missouri River , which joins the Mississippi River to flow to the Gulf of Mexico . The river provides the major avenue of drainage for northern Colorado, eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. It is only navigable over most of its length at high water by canoes , kayaks and rubber rafts . The North Platte River drainage has been an important westward route in the westward expansion of
615-548: The Routt National Forest and North Park (Colorado basin) near what is now Walden, Colorado , to Casper, Wyoming . Shortly after passing Casper, the river turns to the east-southeast and flows about 350 miles (560 km) to the city of North Platte, Nebraska . The North Platte and South Platte River join to form the Platte River in western Nebraska near the city of North Platte, Nebraska. The Platte River flows to
656-596: The South Platte River . In many places they are separated by only about 5 mi (8 km) for a stretch of about 50 mi (80 km) before they join to form the Platte River just east of the city of North Platte, Nebraska . The wagon trails following the south side of the Platte/North Platte River ferried or waded in low water years across the South Platte River in several places to stay on
697-524: The United States . To get the two essentials, water and grass, for the traveler's animals the emigration trails nearly always followed river valleys across the North American continent. These trails extended from the Missouri River , Platte River and North Platte River across Nebraska and parts of Wyoming and on to its confluence with the Sweetwater River . About 50 miles (80 km) beyond what
738-510: The war that had broken out between the US and Britain and chartered the ship Albatros to land him at Astoria. In the meantime, McDougal, faced with managing the precarious situation of Astoria, concluded an agreement to sell the fort to the Northwest Company. Upon his return to Astoria, Hunt was displeased with the decision and questioned the motives of the Canadian partners, but despite his protest he
779-520: The Hawaiian Islands then ultimately onto China to procure a cargo of Chinese goods for trade in New York. Hunt arrived in New York with his cargo in October 1816. Hunt ultimately returned to St. Louis in 1817 and purchased a large tract of land southwest of the city, upon which he farmed and made improvements until his death in 1842. He was appointed postmaster of St. Louis in 1822 by President Monroe and held
820-505: The Mormon settlers to Salt Lake City, Utah established a ferry near present-day Casper known as the Mormon Ferry. The next year the ferry was moved a few miles down river. Soon competing ferries were built. In 1859, Louis Guinard built a toll bridge across the North Platte and a trading post near the original ferry's locations. Before reaching Casper the river turns and flows northeast between
861-508: The North Platte River. In Jackson county the North Platte is joined by several other small streams draining the mountains around the county. Some of these creeks are: Arapaho Creek, Colorado Creek, East Branch Illinois River, Jack Creek, Jewell Lake Trib., Grizzly Creek, Little Grizzly Creek, Norris Creek, North Fork of North Platte River, Rock Creek (Little Willow Ck), South Fork Canadian River, South Fork Michigan River, Willow Creek and in Wyoming
SECTION 20
#1732855396521902-600: The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous occurred. Following the fur traders, the major emigration trails established along the north and south banks of the North Platte River were the Oregon (1843–1869), California (1843–1869), Mormon (1847–1869) and the Bozeman (1863–68) Trails. The trails north of the North Platte River originally crossed the North Platte near Fort Laramie to join the original Oregon and California Trail Route on
943-520: The Snake River later proved to be completely unnavigable by canoe, forcing the party to travel by foot and causing the men to endure severe hardship. After nine days of attempting to travel the river, they lost a man and two canoes in the rapids and reconsidered their plan. Embarking on foot, they divided into four parties and took different routes to approach the mouth of the Columbia. Hunt's party arrived on February 15, 1812. The trip from Missouri to
984-623: The brig the Pedlar , which he provisioned and sailed to Astoria in order to conduct business related to the transfer of the fort to the British. The Pedlar then traveled again to New Archangel and then to Kamchatka before being captured in August 1814 by the Spanish on smuggling charges and held on the coast of California at San Louis Obispo for two months. After being released, the Pedlar made its way back to
1025-518: The contested Oregon Territory resulted in this early discovery being unused and nearly forgotten. Jedediah Smith and several trappers in 1823 rediscovered the route and the trail along the Platte, North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers became a major trail to the fur trader ’s summer time Rocky Mountain Rendezvous . Mule trains carrying in trading supplies for the mountain men and fur trappers were some of
1066-603: The expedition. Hunt had difficulty finding quality men at Mackinaw and St. Louis. At Mackinaw, he was discouraged by the quality of the men, finding most to be "drinking in the morning, drunk at noon and dead drunk at night." In addition, he faced a steady competition for recruits amongst the more established Northwest and Mackinaw companies in Michilimackinac and the Missouri Fur Company in St. Louis. Having finally assembled
1107-524: The extensive water taken from it for irrigation. Wilson Price Hunt Wilson Price Hunt (March 20, 1783 – April 13, 1842) was an early pioneer and explorer of the Oregon Country in the Pacific Northwest of North America . Employed as an agent in the fur trade under John Jacob Astor , Hunt organized and led the greater part of a group of about 60 men on an overland expedition to establish
1148-465: The first to use the trail in 1824. The fur traders on their return trip carried the traded furs back east at the end of the summer trading season. This fur trade route continued to be used to about 1840. By about 1832 the trail along the Platte, North Platte, and Sweetwater Rivers had been improved by the fur traders to a rough wagon trail from the Missouri River to the Green River in Wyoming where most of
1189-487: The future site of Astoria, Oregon took 340 days. According to his own account, Hunt traveled 2,073 miles (3,336 km) from the village of the Arikaras, in present-day South Dakota , to the end of the journey. A return expedition overland was led by Robert Stuart , who discovered South Pass , a key feature of the soon-to-be-established Oregon Trail . On August 4, 1812, Hunt sailed on the newly arrived ship sent by Astor,
1230-709: The hostility of the Blackfoot on the upper Missouri caused him to change course and cross to the Columbia by land. Hunt purchased horses from the Arikara tribe near present-day Pierre, South Dakota and began the long trek over land westward. The party passed along the borders of the Black Hills and Bighorn mountains then crossed the Wind River mountains into the valley of the Green River by way of Union Pass . Here they descended
1271-599: The mouth of the Columbia to establish the post, and one over the land in order to demonstrate the practicability of the route as a supply line. Hunt was placed in charge of the overland expedition because he did not like to get wet, and as was to assume charge at Astoria upon his arrival. Hunt had never before traveled into the interior of the west but had been engaged in the Indian trade second hand while at St. Louis supplying traders with goods and equipment. Donald McKenzie , also
Michigan River - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-846: The north end of the Park range it is joined by the Medicine Bow River in the Seminoe Reservoir formed by Seminoe Dam , further downstream is the Kortes Reservoir . Still further downstream about 50 miles (80 km) above Casper the North Platte is joined by the Sweetwater River to form the Pathfinder Reservoir . Northeast of the Pathfinder Reservoir it passes through the Alcova and Gray Reef reservoirs before it hits Casper. Casper
1353-514: The north. This article related to a river in Colorado is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . North Platte River The North Platte River is a major tributary of the Platte River and is approximately 716 miles (1,152 km) long, counting its many curves. In a straight line, it travels about 550 miles (890 km), along its course through the U.S. states of Colorado , Wyoming , and Nebraska . The head of
1394-533: The river is essentially all of Jackson County, Colorado whose boundaries are the continental divide on the west and south and the mountain drainage peaks on the east—the north boundary is the state of Wyoming boundary. The rugged Rocky Mountains Continental Divide surrounding Jackson County have at least twelve peaks over 11,000 feet (3,400 m) in height. These peaks include on the west: Mount Zirkel 12,180 feet (3,710 m), Lost ranger Peak 11,932 feet (3,637 m) and Mount Ethel 11,924 feet (3,634 m); on
1435-427: The river is essentially all of Jackson County, Colorado , whose boundaries are the continental divide on the west and south and the mountain drainage peaks on the east—the north boundary is the state of Wyoming border. The rugged Rocky Mountains surrounding Jackson County have at least twelve peaks over 11,000 feet (3,400 m) in height. From Jackson County the river flows north about 200 miles (320 km) out of
1476-486: The south end of Cameron Pass , and descends from the pass along the route of State Highway 14 , past Gould , then northwest through the ranch country of North Park, where it becomes a largely braided stream with a wide river bottom. It passes just east of Walden , and receives the Illinois River from the south just north of Walden. It joins the North Platte from the south approximately 5 miles (8 km) downstream to
1517-410: The south side of the North Platte River where the trails were located. Those who later went on to Denver, Colorado followed the South Platte River trail into Colorado. Historically, the North Platte River used to be up to a mile wide (1.6 km) in many places as evidenced by the old streambed and written records. Today, by the time the North Platte reaches Paxton, Nebraska it is much smaller due to
1558-460: The south side. In 1850 Child's Route (Child's Cutoff) extended the north side trail to what is now Casper, Wyoming. The rugged territory from Fort Laramie, Wyoming to Casper meant that the trails often deviated from the river to find an easier path and relied on streams draining into the North Platte for water. Up in central north Colorado rests North Park (Colorado basin) , a valley ringed by 12,000 feet (3,700 m) mountains. The headwaters of
1599-595: The south: Sheep Mountain 11,819 feet (3,602 m) and Parkview Mountain 12,296 feet (3,748 m)—whose waters on the south or east side drain into the North Platte River drainage. On the east are: Mount Nimbus 12,706 feet (3,873 m), Mount Cumulus 12,725 feet (3,879 m), Howard Mountain 12,810 feet (3,900 m), Mount Cirrus 12,797 feet (3,901 m), Mount Richthofen 12,940 feet (3,940 m), Lead Mountain 12,537 feet (3,821 m), North Diamond Peak 11,852 feet (3,612 m) and Clark Peak 12,951 feet (3,947 m) whose eastern slope waters drain into
1640-639: Was bound to their decision. Soon after arriving, he again left the fort, this time on the Albatros bound for the Marquesas and the Hawaiian Islands for the purposes of bringing a large quantity of the furs accumulated at Astoria to market, acquiring a ship and a load of provisions, and returning home the Hawaiian Islanders who were in the employ of the Company at Astoria. While in the Hawaiian Islands, Hunt purchased
1681-463: Was established in 1888 east of the former site of Fort Caspar , which was built about 1859 during the mass migration along the Oregon, California, Mormon and Bozeman trails. Near what is now Casper was the location of several ferries that offered passage across the North Platte River during the summer "Trail season" starting about 1847. In 1847, during the first Mormon emigration, Brigham Young leading