POLLOCK PINES, Calif. — The rumble of wagon wheels and the steady clip-clop of horses will once again echo through the pines on Friday, June 5, as the 77th Annual Highway 50 Historic Wagon Train makes its traditional stop in Pollock Pines before completing its journey into Placerville.
The annual event, organized by the Highway 50 Association, recreates the experience of the thousands of pioneers who crossed the Sierra Nevada during the California Gold Rush. Traveling entirely by horse-drawn wagons at a pace of approximately 3 miles per hour, participants follow portions of the historic route from Round Hill, Nevada, over Echo Summit and down the Highway 50 corridor toward Placerville.
For many participants, the Pollock Pines stop represents more than just another overnight camp. It is the symbolic final resting point before the wagon train descends into the historic Gold Rush community once known as Old Hangtown.
“This is where the anticipation really builds,”
longtime wagon train supporters often say of the Pollock Pines encampment.
“The journey is nearly complete, but one more day remains before reaching Placerville.”
The community celebration will be centered at the Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center, where residents and visitors are invited to step back in time and experience a living piece of California history.
Activities begin at 10 a.m. when gates open to the public. Visitors can browse vendor booths, purchase homemade baked goods, enjoy pony rides for children, inspect fire engines and watch live blacksmith demonstrations showcasing skills common during the Gold Rush era. 
Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by local volunteers.
The highlight of the day arrives at 1 p.m. when the wagon train rolls into town from Fresh Pond. The procession typically stretches nearly a mile and includes authentic covered wagons, horse teams, riders and teamsters dressed in period clothing.
Festivities continue into the evening with a public chicken and rib dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Live music by the band Last Call is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., accompanied by a community raffle.
The wagon train remains one of the region’s most enduring historical traditions. The event commemorates the original “Roaring Road,” the route used by Gold Rush emigrants heading west in search of fortune after the discovery of gold in California in 1848. What began as a historical reenactment decades ago has evolved into a unique bi-state celebration connecting communities in Nevada and California while preserving an important chapter of Western history.
Pollock Pines has long played a vital role in that story. Nestled among towering pines along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, the community historically served as a welcome stopping point for travelers descending from the high country. Today, it continues that tradition by hosting the wagon train’s final overnight camp before the participants complete their journey into Placerville.
Officials are reminding motorists to exercise caution during Friday’s events. The California Highway Patrol will oversee rolling traffic controls along portions of U.S. Highway 50 as the wagon train moves through the corridor. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, remain patient and provide ample space for horses, wagons and riders.
Authenticity remains a cornerstone of the event. Registered participants are required to wear period-correct mid-1800s clothing throughout the trek. Modern attire, including T-shirts, baseball caps and other contemporary items, is prohibited once participants pass the authenticity checkpoint, helping preserve the immersive historical atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the annual journey.
As the sun sets over Pollock Pines Friday evening, wagon train participants will gather around campfires for one final night before making the descent into Placerville, where crowds are expected to welcome them on the final leg of a journey that honors California’s pioneer past and keeps Gold Rush history alive for future generations.
