Wyoming

‘The trail whispers’: Church historian joins Latter-day Saint youth on newly reopened 29-mile Wyoming pioneer trail

Published

3 months ago

July 18, 2025

‘The trail whispers’: Church historian joins Latter-day Saint youth on newly reopened 29-mile Wyoming pioneer trail

18 July 2025, 8:30 a.m. MDT

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reopened a handcart trail for youth at its Wyoming Mormon Trail Historic Sites, allowing participants to pull handcarts along a 29-mile linear route that follows the original pioneer trail from Sixth Crossing over Rocky Ridge to Rock Creek Hollow.

After being halted due to the global pandemic and other logistical complications, this trail is available for the first time in a decade, said Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as Church historian and recorder and executive director of the Church History Department.

Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Church historian and recorder, speaks to youth during a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder McKay noted that walking these Wyoming trails enables members to connect with their ancestors and Church history, gaining insight into the challenges faced by handcart pioneers.

“This trail whispers,” he said. “There are those who have gone on before, and we listen to their stories, and we read their stories, and their testimony still reverberates in these sagebrush-covered hills.”

Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Church Historian and Recorder, and his wife, Sister Jennifer McKay, walk with youth on a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. — Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Church historian and recorder, and his wife, Sister Jennifer McKay, walk with youth on a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder McKay and his wife, Sister Jennifer S. McKay, accompanied youth and leaders of the Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail Stake in walking the extended trail July 8-9.

“I know the potential that this place has for providing an amazing experience,” Elder McKay said. “And so when we were finally able to open the trail back up, I wanted to be here.”

A map shows the approximate locations of Sixth Crossing, Rocky Ridge and Rock Creek Hollow, historic locations that are part of the Church's Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites. — A map shows the approximate locations of Sixth Crossing, Rocky Ridge and Rock Creek Hollow, historic locations that are part of the Church’s Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites near Lander, Wyoming. | Church News graphic

What drove them

Sixth Crossing is where the Willie Handcart Company encountered the first rescue wagons at the Sweetwater River amid early winter conditions in 1856.

A short time later, the Willie company sheltered at Rock Creek Hollow after the difficult ascent of Rocky Ridge — one of the highest points of altitude (7,300 feet) along the Oregon, Mormon and California trails — during a severe snowstorm.

Latter-day Saint youth from the Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail Stake climb the trail to Rocky Ridge during a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sister McKay said walking the trail helps one better understand the pioneers’ faith and perspective.

“What drove the people to do what they did was their love for God and their willingness to follow a prophet, and that is what drives us. We love our Heavenly Father. We want to let God prevail,” she said. “You can feel and you can see God at work in the lives of His children.”

Youth from the Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail Stake stand at a monument as part of a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The trek experience

Robert Goates, site president of the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites, encouraged stakes, wards and branches to bring their young women and men to have this “unique experience.”

“They can walk where their ancestors walked. They can see the landscape that they saw in the conditions in which they saw and experienced it,” Goates said. “This is sacred ground, but it becomes sacred for very personal reasons to those youth that feel the Spirit here, and feel a deeper relationship with their Savior.”

Latter-day Saint youth participate in a pioneer dancing activity as part of a handcart trek near Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Blake Hansen, a youth participant, said, “You can feel the spirit when you’re walking along these trails.”

Fellow trekker Lydia Burrows said: “I have a pioneer ancestor that came across in the Willie Handcart Company, and it’s been really cool to walk in his footsteps and to see and be in the places that he was. It makes me feel so much more connected and to realize that they went through really hard things. But through Jesus Christ, they made it.”

Added Brayden Calvin, “Trek has helped me draw closer to Christ by wanting to help others. I’ve been able to help with other people. So, like serving others, and then also just being able to turn to Him when things get hard.”

Latter-day Saint youth from the Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail Stake participate in a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

How to make a trek reservation

Members are welcomed and encouraged to have the trek experience at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites, said Benjamin Pykles, director of the Church History Department’s Historic Sites Division.

“You are walking where they walked and having as authentic an experience as you can get,” he said. “Trekking is still happening, and you have great experiences. We have this new route. It’s arduous, but it’s exciting.”

Handcart trek reservations for 2026 open in September. Information for how to request a trek reservation, along with itinerary options, planning resources, frequently asked questions and more are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Standing center, Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Church historian and recorder, speaks to youth during a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Church historian and recorder, speaks to youth during a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A view of the Sweetwater River near the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Charles Sypher and Sister Karen Sypher, senior missionaries serving at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites, speak to youth in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Right, Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Church historian and recorder, interacts with youth on a pioneer trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites in July 2025. | Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Wyoming

Navy fires commander of sub USS Wyoming after ‘loss of confidence’ – UPI.com

Published

4 hours ago

October 9, 2025

Press Room

Navy fires commander of sub USS Wyoming after ‘loss of confidence’ – UPI.com

Oct. 9 (UPI) — The U.S. Navy has fired the commanding officer of the USS Wyoming Blue Crew, the service has announced.

Cmdr. Robert Moreno was relieved of his duties after staff lost confidence in his ability to command.

“Navy commanding officers are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct,” a Navy release said. “They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability. And leadership and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards.”

There were no details in the release about a reason for the dismissal, but the military often uses “loss of confidence” as a general statement when dismissing senior leaders.

Capt. David Burke, Submarine Squadron 20 deputy for training, was temporarily assigned responsibility of the USS Wyoming Blue Crew, the release said.

Moreno was temporarily assigned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and took command of that ship in 2024. He became a commissioned officer in 2005, and was an enlisted sailor before that, his Naval biography said.

From 2001 to 2003, he was the commander of the Joint Force Marine Component.

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Wyoming

Special Olympics Wyoming seeking volunteers for state fall tournament

Published

1 week ago

September 29, 2025

Press Room

Special Olympics Wyoming seeking volunteers for state fall tournament

CASPER, Wyo. — Special Olympics Wyoming recently announced that it is calling for volunteers to help work the upcoming annual State Fall Tournament, happening Oct. 8 through Oct. 10.

That’s according to a release from SOW, which states that the event offers competition in bowling, cycling, bocce and soccer. This tournament represents over 500 different athletes and more than 30 teams from around the state of Wyoming.

Competition sites for the fall tournament include, North Casper Soccer Complex, Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, Boomtown Blast, and El Mark-O Lanes.

Citizens are encouraged to come cheer on the Special Olympics Wyoming athletes, but the tournament is seeking volunteers as well.

“Volunteers are the backbone of Special Olympics Wyoming and play a significant role in providing quality events to athletes,” the release states. “Each fall, Special Olympics Wyoming depends on the generosity of Casper and the surrounding communities to engage in this state-wide competition event by volunteering a portion of their time to ensure that these athletes, Unified Sports® partners, coaches, friends, family, and volunteers visiting Casper from throughout Wyoming experience a first-rate, memory making event.”

Special Olympics Wyoming needs volunteers to assist with competitions, awards, meals, and more.

To sign up to volunteer, contact the Special Olympics Wyoming office at 307-235-3062 or register online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FACAC2DA0FDC52-58224359-2025#/.

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Wyoming

Colorado State, Wyoming add two games to Border War football series

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Press Room

Colorado State, Wyoming add two games to Border War football series

The Colorado State Rams and Wyoming Cowboys have added two games to their Border War football series, both schools announced Wednesday.

Colorado State is leaving the Mountain West Conference after the 2025 season and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the fall of 2026. As a result, their annual Border War game will have to be played as a non-conference contest.

Back in November, the two schools announced an agreement that included games beginning in 2028 and extending through the 2035 season. Today’s announcement includes the addition of a game on Sept. 5, 2026 at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo., and on Sept. 6, 2036 at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo.

“Rivalry games are important to us at Colorado State and are a part of what makes College Football so special,” said Colorado State Director of Athletics, John Weber. “Our scheduling goal for our football program is to host seven games every season on campus in Canvas Stadium. Ram Country and Canvas Chaos make a real difference on game day and there is no better place to play than at home on campus in Fort Collins.”

The two schools are scheduled to play this season on Saturday, Oct. 25 in Laramie.

“Having one of the oldest rivalries in the West that features one of the most iconic trophies in college football continue consecutively is outstanding,” added Weber. “The Boot Run with the game ball, the Border Ceremony, and the Bronze Boot Trophy all honor the values and rich ROTC history of both universities and will remain integral to this rivalry for years to come. This game is important to our universities, communities, and fans and I am thrilled that we were able to continue it in 2026.”

Although Colorado State and Wyoming are not scheduled to meet in 2027, there is still the possibility for that contest. When the series was announced last year, both schools stated they were “…working on amendments to schedules for the 2026 and 2027 season for potential additions to the current agreement.”

Colorado State and Wyoming first met on the gridiron in 1899 and have played a total of 116 contests. The Rams currently lead the overall series 60-51-5.

In order to schedule the 2026 game with Colorado State, Wyoming has rescheduled its previously slated home contest against North Texas for Sept. 9, 2034. Colorado State was previously scheduled to play at Indiana on Sept. 5, 2026, but Indiana will now host North Texas on that date instead.

Future Border War Games

Sept. 5, 2026 at CSU
Sept. 23, 2028 at CSU
Sept. 22, 2029 at WYO
Sept. 7, 2030 at CSU
Sept. 20, 2031 at WYO
Sept. 25, 2032 at CSU
Sept. 24, 2033 at WYO
Sept. 23, 2034 at CSU
Sept. 22, 2035 at WYO
Sept. 6, 2036 at WYO

Football Schedules

Future Colorado State Football Schedules

Future Wyoming Football Schedules

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