Robert Stuart 1812–13 Return Trip

Precurser to the Oregon-California Trails

Contributed by Steve F. Russell

Robert Stuart was the leader of an expedition that traveled from the newly established Fort Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River to St. Louis, Missouri in 1812–13. Stuart and his party were successful in their attempt, despite their travel through scarcely known country and the need to avoid hostile tribes of Indians. Stuart’s avoidance tactics account for most of the rambling route he took. Some parts of his route would one day become the roads for the Oregon-California emigrant wagon trains.

The following is a brief description of the route:

1. Up the Columbia River to the mouth of the Walla Walla River
2. Southeast over the Blue Mountains to Grande Ronde, Oregon
3. Down the Burnt River to the mouth of the Boise River
4. Up the south (left) side of the Snake River to the Portneuf River
5. Up the Portneuf and southeast to the Bear River at Cottonwood Creek and Hot Springs
6. North up the Bear River to Alexander, Idaho
7. Southeast along the Bear River to Thomas Fork
8. North up Thomas Fork to Salt River Pass and down the Salt River to Table Rock Canyon
9. Up the canyon and eastward, past Pincock Hot Springs to the Teton Basin
10. Eastward over Teton Pass to Jackson Hole
11. Up the Hoback River and then southwest to South Pass City, Wyoming
12. Eastward to the North Fork of the Platte River and along the river to Casper, Wyoming
13. Along the Platte River and southeast to Fort Laramie
14. Down the north (left) side of the Platte River to Fort Kearney
15. Down the south (right) side of the Platte to Lake Platte View
16. By canoe down the Platte to the Missouri River and down the Missouri to Fort Osage

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