Overland Frontier

Day 2 of the American Old West Expedition - Retracing 1860’s Mullan Military Road, the first wagon road, blazed in 1860, to cross the Rocky Mountains. In 1884, Andrew J. Prichard discoverrd while traveling over Mullan Road. The Murray Gold Rush, was promoted as Americas Last Stampede. Follow the route on OverlandFrontier.com.

Day 1 of the American Old West Expedition - Route starts in Northern Montana, passing through 1886 West Fisher Gold Rush and Kootenai National Park. Follow the route on OverlandFrontier.com.

What do Camels have to do with the Mojave Road, the most popular overland trail in America, still traveled today? If you find this stuff as intriguing as me, check out OverlandFrontier.com blog.

Retracing Nevada’s Manhattan to stage road, part of the American Old West Expedition -Follow the near all-dirt 4,750 mi route photo journal on OverlandFrontier.com.

I’ve been on a quest; discovering a near-all-dirt route across America’s Old West, seeking forgotten, overgrown and sometimes barley visible trails, making them that much more appealing; like Nevada Jefferson Summit Pass. Follow the 4,750 mi Expedition blog on OverlandFrontier.com.

While retracing the 1846 Applegate Emigration Trail up High Rock Canyon, from Black Rock Desert, I encountered a group led by Mathew Mangus, an Overlander I had been interacting with on social media and wound up traveling the old wagon trail with them. Small world. Follow the full 4,750 mi / 7,650 km, 35 day Old West expedition, on OverlandFrontier.com

The most dramatic entrance into Death Valley - Red Canyon and Titus Canyon, one of many interlinked trails from the 4,750 mi Old West Expedition, now previewed on OverlandFrontier.com

Retracing Goldfield to Lida-Gold Point, Nevada Stage Route, one of many interlinked trails from the 4,750 mi Old West Expedition, now showcased on OverlandFrontier.com.

For the last nine years, I have been on a quest; discovering a near-all-dirt route across America’s Old West. Last fall, I chose to celebrate my retirement by traveling all of the pre-scouted segments in one continuous journey. I have refreshed my old website OverlandFrontier.com as an expedition photo journal and blog as means of reliving the experience. While Old West relics added interest along the 4,750 mi / 7,650 km, 35 day solo expedition, the real reward was the remoteness, solitude and beauty of the frontier outback in Montana, Idaho, Nevada and California.

I’ve been on a 9-year quest; discovering a near-all-dirt route across America. Not dirt for the sake of dirt. I set my sights on exhilarating and storied trails through the heart of America’s Old West. In the fall of 2019, I traveled all the pre-scouted segments in one continuous 35 day solo expedition and I have refreshed my old website OverlandFrontier.com as an expedition photo journal. Out of the 4,750 mi / 7,650 km journey; I was able to stay on dirt trails 83% in Calif...ornia, 75% in Nevada, 77% in Oregon/Idaho, 54% in Montana/ Idaho Panhandle = 73% dirt overall. Creating a photo-journal lets me relive the expedition, share it with like-minded enthusiasts and the blog to exchange techniques for route research and planning, vehicle preparation, as well as promoting the importance of traveling without leaving a trace, respecting private property and trail closures.