OVERVIEW TO MAPS

Identifying the Willie Handcart Company's specific trail and campsites is not a simple matter, since their trail was not a single set of wagon ruts from Iowa to Utah. On July 18, 1856, Peder Madsen stated, "One who drives where best he can." Campsite locations varied by availability of wood, water, and feed. As the season progressed, selection of campsites also had to adapt to changing weather conditions.

Journals seldom agree on the daily mileage traveled. When the mileage records vary, but a particular landmark or physical feature is recorded, then trail and campsite identification is easier. HOwever, even those particular features are not always conclusive because journal keepers were not familiar with the area and their entries contain inaccuracies. Later transcribers may also have made errors in their transcriptions.

In determining the trail and campsite locations for these maps, every effort was made to match journal entries with the records of known and existing trails. However, some conclusions are simply educated guesses.