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Founded in 1949 as a promotional event, the Wagon Train<\/a> has evolved into a cherished tradition, retracing the Gold Rush trail from Round Hill, Nevada to Placerville, California. Participants don authentic period dress, sleep under the stars, and navigate the rugged trail at a steady 3.5 mph, evoking a bygone era.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the draw of living that pioneer life, coming over the sense of excitement, of a reunion of seeing people you haven\u2019t seen for a year,\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n said Ron Harris, 70, a local photographer who has documented the ride for decades.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see the horses when they\u2019re hitched up \u2014 the people, how they\u2019re smiling. They\u2019re enjoying themselves.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The weeklong event includes stops at Amaker Ranch, Echo Summit, Kyburz, Fresh Pond, and Pollock Pines, culminating in a celebratory ride down Placerville\u2019s Main Street on Saturday, June 7. A community gathering will take place the day before at the Pollock Pines Community Center, featuring music, food, and family-friendly festivities.<\/p>\n But beneath the festive spirit lies a note of concern for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all getting older and we need some young blood and monetary support,\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n said Carol Spreckelsen Foster, a longtime member of the Highway 50 Association.<\/a> Foster said the event skipped only one year\u20142020\u2014due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, she\u2019s urging younger generations to get involved before the living tradition fades away.<\/p>\n Foster emphasized that the experience offers hands-on learning that technology can’t replicate.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that I’m back into it, I’m trying to get more people into it. The younger generation stares at their phone and that’s their life\u2014this is reality,\u201d she said. \u201cWe do it just like they did in the old days. It makes it feel real. It is not a Disney ride.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Steve Downer, who has served as the association\u2019s president for more than a decade, noted that even familiar terrain can surprise riders.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see so much more in detail,\u201d he said. \u201cIt seems like every year you spot something you didn\u2019t see the year before.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The event includes a layover and appreciation day on Thursday, June 5, in Fresh Pond, with a potluck dinner, raffles, and association awards. Riders are responsible for their own supplies and meals for part of the journey, though hot meals are provided on several days.<\/p>\n May 31<\/strong>: Registration and Dinner at Round Hill Village, NV<\/p>\n<\/li>\n June 1\u20136<\/strong>: Travel across Meyers, Echo Summit, Kyburz, Fresh Pond, and Pollock Pines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n June 7<\/strong>: Final ride into Placerville and end-of-trail celebration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n According to Harris, nature adds unpredictability and authenticity to the ride.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s annoying sometimes when it\u2019s raining or snowing in a wagon,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to figure the pioneers did that back in the days.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As the train inches west, escorted by local authorities and greeted by onlookers, it becomes more than just a moving tribute \u2014 it\u2019s history in action.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce the bug bites you, it never goes away,\u201d Harris said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n For those interested in joining or supporting the event, more information can be found through the Highway 50 Association<\/a> website.<\/p>\nKey Dates and Stops:<\/h3>\n
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