FROM: Larry Carpenter, California Division Member
PST
Greetings from Lake Tahoe! The mail departed Stateline (California/Nevada border) at 11:30 AM, June 26, On-time. The Outgoing Rider Davey “Doc” Wiser of Placerville, California, was Sworn-In by California Division President Rich Tatman. His Ride is 4.3 miles to Trout Creek via US 50 and Pioneer Trail. About 40 people including Arthur Johnson, Nevada President, NPEA members from Nevada and California, and Tourists witnessed the event. Cool temperatures, scattered clouds, and beautiful Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is the last large body of water the Reride passes. Salt Lake is the second largest Lake on the route.
From Stateline the route will be southwest to Johnson Pass (original route after May 1861) crossing at 6372 ft and down the South Fork of the American River crossing the river on two large bridges and several small ones in the El Dorado National Forest. Near Pacific House, it will cross at the site of the Brockless Bridge. The Bridge near the original route was destroyed about 10 years ago and we now cross the River via a cable strung across it. The Westbound Rider attaches the mochila to a cable and it is pulled across to the southwest bank, detached and put on the horse for the journey downward. The river here is rushing with spring runoff and the water roars over the granite boulders. It cannot be crossed by horse and is too wide for the mochila to be handed over. The cable is about 50 feet over the rushing stream. It is something to see and something to do, especially in the dead of night.
Later tonight the mochila will be exchanged at Sportsmans Hall in Camino. Sportsmans was the 1st Home Station in California during the Pony Express operational period of 1860-1861. A restaurant now occupies the site and has been the site of many General Meetings and Swearing-In Dinners for the California Division.
Best Wishes to all California Division Members and Thank You to all of this year’s Riders who got the mail to Stateline 1.5 hrs ahead of Scheduled time. See you in Old Sacramento tomorrow!