The National Pony Express Association will once again conduct a Re-Ride of the Pony Express Trail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, June 18 to 28, 2008.
This re-ride will be a 10-day, 24-hour a day, non-stop event by over 500 riders and horses. The 1,966 mile route will be over the Pony Express National Historic Trail from California, through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas to Missouri. It is the longest event held annually on a historical trail in the nation, even surpassing the famed Iditarod.
The event commemorates the Pony Express of 1860-1861. The Central Overland and California Pikes Peak Express Company carried letters and telegrams for 19 months to prove the Central Route through Salt Lake passable year round. The owners hoped to win a federal mail contract on that route. Pony Express history is preserved in the federally designated Historic Trail, administered by the National Park Service, in museums, Pony Rider monuments, books, and the annual re-creations by the NPEA.
Riders will carry Commemorative Letters in a Mochila, Pony Express style. The cachets, honoring Pony Express history, will be available for purchase by NPEA members, historians, and philatelists. The envelopes will show they were carried by the Pony Express and the first class postage will have a special US Postal service cancellation. Only the number of letters purchased will be carried.
Depart Folsom MuseumDepart California/Nevada State Line (Woodfords)
Wednesday, June 18, 12:44pm PDT Depart Pleasant Grove House
Wednesday, June 18, 2:09pm PDT Depart Rescue Post Office
Wednesday, June 18, 2:39pm PDT Depart Diamond Springs Post Office
Wednesday, June 18, 4:11pm PDT Depart Hangtown Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, June 18, 4:46pm PDT Depart Sportmans Hall
Wednesday, June 18, 6:19pm PDT Depart Brockliss Bridge
Wednesday, June 18, 8:04pm PDT Depart Strawberry
Thursday, June 19, 1:35am PDT Depart Picketts Junction
Thursday, June 19, 5:05am PDT Arrive Woodfords
Thursday, June 19, 5:55am PDT
Depart Salt Lake CityDepart Utah/Wyoming State Line
Sunday, June 22, 2:30pm MDT
Depart Wyoming/Nebraska State Line (Henry)
Wednesday, June 25, 5:00am MDT
Depart Nebraska/Colorado State Line (Chappell)
Wednesday, June 25, 5:00pm MDT
Depart Colorado/Nebraska State Line (Julesberg)
Wednesday, June 25, 8:30pm MDT
Depart Hollenburg StationArrive St. Joseph, Missouri
Friday, June 27, 2:15pm CDT Depart Marysville
Friday, June 27, 4:30pm CDT Depart Guittard Station
Friday, June 27, 6:45pm CDT Depart Summit (Hwy 99)
Friday, June 27, 8:05pm CDT Depart Kock & Co West
Friday, June 27, 11:05pm CDT Depart Seneca Museum
Friday, June 27, 11:30pm CDT Depart Hwy 75 (Sac & Fox)
Saturday, June 28, 2:35am CDT Depart Horton
Saturday, June 28, 4:00am CDT Arrive St. Joe Bridge
Saturday, June 28, 10:30am CDT
The last rider will recieve a traditional welcome at the Patee House hosted by the Missouri Division, NPEA, and the Pony Express Historical Association. The mail will be processed by the US Postal Service and delivered worldwide. Thanks to Gary Chilcote and his staff for making the arrangements on the end of the trail.
Factors:
Full Moon most of the way for Riders' SAFETY of Riders.
More enjoyable ride!
Utah Division avoids rush hour traffic in Salt Lake City.