Mitchell Pass
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Mitchell Pass
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
Mitchell Pass is a gap through the bluffs near Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska. Beginning in 1851, two of the Westward Expansion Trails passed through the gap, as did the Pony Express in the early 1860’s. Today the area is protected as part of Scotts Bluff National Monument.
The gap between South Bluff and Scotts Bluff is a natural land form in the northern Wildcat Hills but the area was not easily traversed. Originally, this main branch of the Great Platte River Road, the Oregon Trail and the California Trail passed south of the bluffs at Robidoux Pass east of Gering.
Beginning in 1851, after the construction of a road between the large bluffs at Scott’s Bluff National Monument, Mitchell Pass became the preferred route. It was favored over the Robidoux Pass because it was both shorter and emigrants remained closer to the North Platte River, an important water source. The branch of the Great Platte River Road called the Mormon Trail, did not use Mitchell Pass as it was located north of the Platte River
Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed during the transition. Your finished photograph will not contain the Fine Art America watermark.
Image copyright 2021 Jon Burch Photography.
Uploaded
May 27th, 2021
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