When will trek be held?

• Trek will be held on July 17th-19th 2023

 

Where is the trek being held?

• The American West Heritage Center’s Willie Handcart Experiences take place in Blacksmith Fork Canyon at the Hardware Ranch.
• Directions: Hardware Ranch is located 15 miles east of Hyrum, Utah, in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. From I-15 take exit 364 toward US-89 / Logan /Utah State University. Travel on US-89 / US-91 for approximately 19 miles (through Sardine Canyon). Turn right onto UT-101 and follow the signs for UT-101 until you reach a McDonald’s – keep going straight on this road until you reach to top of Blacksmith Fork Canyon. We will rendezvous about 1 mile prior to reaching the main visitor center area.

 

Who can participate in trek?

• The Wellsville Stake Pioneer Trek of 2023 is for all youth living within the Wellsville Stake boundaries between the ages of 14 and 18. Those who turn 14 in 2023 and those who turn 19, and graduate from high school in 2023 are included in this definition.

 

Can the youth bring friends on the trek?

• Unfortunately, not. We love when friends join us for all activities, but this activity is a little different. Due to costs, we must limit this activity to only youth living within our stake.

 

Can any adult in the stake go on trek who wants to go?

• Pioneer Treks are stake youth activities for the youth. There are a limited number of individuals that can go on the Trek due to the cost of transportation and food. For this reason, only the adult leaders that have received a specific call or invitation will be going on the Trek.

 

What is the registration deadline?

• The deadline for trek registration and payment is April 15, 2023.  To register for trek please go to the registration page HERE and follow the instructions.

 

How will we get to and from the trek location?

• We will meet at the stake center the morning of July 17th. Stake members will drive trekkers to and from trek.

 

How far will we be walking each day?

• Trek participants will be trekking and pulling a handcart 3 -5 miles each day and are in mountainous terrain, at approximately 5,400 feet in altitude.

 

Can I attend only part of Pioneer Trek, or leave and come back, if necessary?

• We recommend because of the remote location, full agenda, close “family” relationships and experiences of Trek that youth attend the entire event.
• Once trekkers have started walking for the day, the only extraction will be for medical necessity.
• There will be some leaders, with prior, stake presidency approval that will be allowed to come and go as needed, at the camp site.

 

What medical provisions are going to be provided?

• There will be at least one physician on the trek who is dedicated to medical surveillance and treatment.
• There will be nurses or an EMT assigned to trek with each company.
• A medical unit will be set up at each camp.
• Anyone taking prescription medication is responsible to bring, store and take them as prescribed. Please notify your nurse if you need assistance.
• Medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antacids, etc. will be available from your assigned nurse or at the medical unit.
• Reach out to Brother Quentin Kimber, 435-730-3284 for further information.
• For special needs, please reach out to Brother Lee Poor, 309-838-8116 (reallypoor1@gmail.com) for further information.

 

Why do we need to fill out and turn in a Registration and Medical Release Form?

• We need to know who is going for accountability purposes and food preparation.
• Medical and appropriate personnel need to be aware of specific medical needs, to be prepared.
• Medical provisions are limited by the location and logistics of the trek.

 

What is a “Trek Family”?

• Each young man or young women will be assigned to a Trek Family. Our stake leadership have carefully selected “Ma’s and Pa’s” from each ward. These individuals will lead your family for the duration of the Trek. Other members of your Trek Family will be other young men and young women from the different Wards throughout the Stake. There will be 8 to 10 members in each family.

 

What will we eat?

• Trek participants will be provided three meals and snacks throughout each day.
• Daily menus will be made by the trek food committee and/or caterers to provide for your daily nutritional needs.
• Vegetarian meals, gluten-free meals, diabetic meals, food allergies, etc. can be facilitated if we know about them in advance.
• If a trekker has significant food allergies, please take necessary precautions personally for food allergies, etc. Reach out to Sister Alyssa Inkley, 801-510-0746 (rinkley@msn.com) for further information.
• Special identification will be provided to vegetarian and gluten-free trekkers.

 

What about bathroom facilities?

• Portable bathrooms will be available while trekking and at the camp sites.

 

What are the sleeping accommodations?

• Each trek family will bring three tents, 1 for girls, 1 for boys and 1 for Ma and Pa
• Each participant will bring their own sleeping bag, blanket, and sleeping pad (optional).

 

Will there be plenty of water?

• Each handcart will have sufficient water for drinking and washing hands.
• There is not water for washing hair or bathing.

 

Is dehydration a concern?

• Yes, it is. Numerous breaks will be taken while trekking to drink water.
• Drink at least 8 to 10 ounces of water at every break. You will feel stronger and much better.

 

What are we wearing?

We will be wearing modern trekking clothing.

• Trekkers are responsible for obtaining their own trek clothing, (Two shirts will be provided by the stake. You will be wearing one of these two shirts each day. Each company will wear an assigned color.)
• We recommend that all trekkers wear long, light, loose-fitting pants.
• AWHC recommends that trekkers wear comfortable shoes, carry extra socks and moleskin. They encourage long, loose-fitting pants, and well broken-in athletic shoes. Never go BAREFOOT. Large, brimmed hats help protect from sun and insects. Bring water shoes for creek crossing. The weather can change rapidly, and the nights can get cool so a jacket, sweatshirt or raingear may be needed. A pair of extra shoes so if you get your feet wet you can avoid walking in wet shoes and socks.
• These clothing recommendations are for the safety of the trekkers.  In addition to the mountainous terrain, we will be trekking through open meadows with brush.

 

How much does Trek cost?

• A lot! Thank you to the Wellsville Stake! Families will pay $35 per youth.  Trekkers will only need to give a little preparation and a smile. What a deal!

 

What do I need to bring?

• You can find a sample packing list HERE

 

What will we be doing other than trekking?

• Pioneer story telling
• Morning devotionals
• Family Home Evenings
• Firesides
• Testimony Meeting
• Square Dance
• Pioneer games/activities