Camp Far West

In the days of the California Trail, the towering Sierra Nevada was the final obstacle of an arduous journey. Emigrants taking the Truckee Trail route, over Stephens Pass (better known as Donner Pass), would reach the Great Valley at the spot now known as Camp Far West. Some would rest here, and a few buried their dead. They continued to nearby Johnson's Ranch, the end of the trail, and then dispersed throughout California to seek their fortunes.

Emigrants passed here from 1844 to 1878. The Donner Party survivors came this way.

The army had an outpost here from 1849 to 1852, to protect miners from Indian attack. However, the miners were often better armed than the soldiers, and many soldiers deserted to try their hand at mining. Duty at Camp Far West was not pleasant.

Today, all that remains of Camp Far West is a small cemetery surrounded by a low stone wall. The earliest burial dates to possibly 1844. There are believed to be thirty graves. The names of four soldiers are recorded, the other dead are unknown.

In 1911, the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a monument commemorating the pioneers buried here. Inside it they placed souvenirs and papers. The Native Daughters of the Golden West erected the stone wall in 1950.

Then vandals came and opened the monument and took the souvenirs and papers.

Camp Far West is now on private land. Access is through permission of the ranch owner. I explained I had an amateur interest in history and was allowed entry. I had the cemetery coordinates plugged into my GPS, and easily found the site. This little piece of California's early history is largely forgotten.

Wagon ruts can still be seen on the Overland Emigrant Trail
a few miles east of Camp Far West