The Government, in 1859, ordered Captain W.F. Raynolds, Topographic Engineers, U.S. Army, to reconnoiter Rocky Mountain topography and potential routes leading to areas of indicated mineralization. Old Jim Bridger, noted explorer since fur trade days, was Raynolds’ guide. In 1864 official energy was still concentrated on the Civil War and that most famous of mountain-men laid out this road himself.

The Oregon Trail was the trunk line of the western roads. Although Motnna’s mines lay far north of its course, further west—in Idaho a branch-road turned off to those diggings. But that right-angle turn added some two hundred time-consuming, exhausting miles to the shortest feasible roadway. During 1863, John Bozeman had pioneered a road, east of the Big Horn Mountains and up the Yellowstone Valley, cutting across the angle, saving two weeks travel time. Still, by crossing Indian hunting grounds, his road increased the hazard of overland freight and travel.

Bridger’s route—west of the Big Horns—reduced danger from indian attacks while saving ten days time. But the Bridger road was a compromise. It never was as well known as either of its alternatives. Later, it was important in the settlement of northwestern Wyoming.