Meek Cutoff was a horse trail road that branched off the Oregon Trail in northeastern Oregon and was used as an alternate emigrant route to the Willamette Valley in the mid-19th century.
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13 Facts About Meek Cutoff
2.
In 1853, the Elliott Cutoff was established, completing Meek's purpose by turning upstream at the Deschutes River for 30 miles and then crossing the Cascade Mountains at Willamette Pass.
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3.
Stephen Meek Cutoff, the older brother of Joe Meek Cutoff, was an experienced fur trapper and explorer who made his living as a wagon train guide.
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4.
Meek Cutoff was unemployed at the time but was considered to be someone who was familiar with eastern Oregon.
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5.
Meek Cutoff led the wagon train southwest through the Malheur Mountains.
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6.
Meek Cutoff wanted to follow Silver Creek to the north, but they refused to follow him.
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7.
Meek Cutoff well knew that there was a scarcity of grass and water across here and so informed them, but it was nearer and they would have him go it, and now blame him for coming the route they obliged him to.
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8.
Weeks the emigrants had been finding out how unfamiliar Meek Cutoff was with the area, especially as the wagons followed a serpentine route into Harney Valley.
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9.
Search for water ended when Meek Cutoff climbed Midnight Point and from there he could see Buck Creek 25 miles due north.
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10.
Meek Cutoff continued on ahead of the company, and when he reached Sherars Falls on the Deschutes River he was warned that a father who lost two sons along the trail intended to kill him, so with the help of Native Americans a rope was sent across the swift river, and both Meek Cutoff and his wife were guided through the water with ropes tied around them.
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11.
The deaths and other circumstances created resentment towards Meek Cutoff and led to the often used phrase "Meek Cutoff deserted them in the desert, " despite his having stayed with his emigrants throughout most of the journey.
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12.
Meek Cutoff is one of sixteen historic trails recognized by the State of Oregon.
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13.
The blazing of the Meek Cutoff led to later wagon roads and the settlement of the eastern and central regions of Oregon.
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