BLM Celebrates Oliver Fuller Memorial Trail Grand Opening as part of Freedom 250
Freemont Historical Marker
I-15, Exit 100 "Fremont Road"
Paragonah, UT 84760
United States
Join the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, and the Utah State Historic Preservation Office to celebrate the grand opening of the Oliver Fuller Memorial Trail! The new site pays tribute to the life and adventures of Oliver Fuller, a cartographer who tragically lost his life during the Fifth Fremont Expedition in 1854.
The Parowan Valley has long been a center of transportation between the Great Basin and Southwest. Since time immemorial, Native American trade networks, early exploratory trails, historic trade routes, and early automotive roads have weaved through the treacherous mountains behind the valley.
Major-General John Charles Fremont, often described as a controversial figure in American history, led five expeditions throughout the western United States. Between 1853-1854, the fifth expedition focused on identifying a transcontinental railroad route across the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges.
During his fifth expedition, Fremont used the Northern route of the Old Spanish Trail until snow cover made the route impossible to follow. Fremont and his party took a wrong turn near Spry, Utah, but were determined to cross the Tushar Mountains and reach the Mormon settlement of Parowan.
During the treacherous descent into what is now known as the Fremont Wash, Fuller’s health began to deteriorate rapidly. Within days, Fuller passed away, as recorded in Carvalho’s journals, the pioneer Joseph Fish’s memoirs, and Fremont and his family’s correspondence.
Unable to bury Fuller due to lack of equipment, the party continued, leaving Fuller where he lay. Fremont directed Simeon F. Howd and Mr. Davis of Parowan, Utah to return to the site of Fuller’s body, to lay him to rest.
The Oliver Fuller Memorial Trail is located in a semi-rugged area with fair cellular service. Government Frontage Road is well maintained and can support any type of vehicle. The Oliver Fuller Memorial Trail is a natural surface trail and is therefore not ADA compliant. There are no established restrooms and there will be no seating provided at the event. Please bring chairs, water, and snacks if needed.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
