The Overland Trail was a stagecoach and wagon trail during the 19th century. While portions of the route had been used by explorers and trappers since the 1820s, the Overland Trail was most heavily used in the 1860s as an alternative route to the Oregon, California and Mormon trails through central Wyoming. The Overland Trail was famously used by the Overland Stage Company owned by Ben Holladay to run mail and passengers to Salt Lake City, Utah via stagecoaches in the early 1860s. Starting from Atchison, Kansas the trail descended into Colorado before looping back up to southern Wyoming and rejoining the Oregon Trail at Fort Bridger. The stage line operated until 1869 when the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad eliminated the need for mail service via stagecoach.
Information about the Overland Trail gleaned from Wikipedia
To view a map that details a section of the trail from Julesburg to Fort Bridger, click here. Below is a picture of the Virginia Dale Station taken by William Henry Jackson in the late 1800's.
This cache is hidden near a historical marker that shares some history of the Virginia Dale Station. There is ample parking on both sides of the road, so this cache can be captured by both north and south bound travelers. Take a moment to learn some history and stretch your legs. You are looking for a one inch by three inch container. Please respect the area, CITO if needed, practice stealth, and please rehide the cache as you find it for the next cacher. Thank you and good luck.
Congratulations "poudrecacher" : First to Find - July 06, 2010