For the early emigrants, the Ice Slough was a refreshing surprise along the Oregon Trail! After crossing the desert of Wyoming, they could dig 1 to 2 feet into the bog and find “wonderful, beautiful sheets of ice!” underneath the dirt. This natural treasure was not available for all emigrants, though. Unfortunately, because of the thousands of pioneers who had dug holes in the bog, there was little to no ice available for emigrants who passed through in the later stages of the mass migration.
Pedaling Pioneer 