Part 6 – Junction Station to Latham is now live.

There was no “Junction Station” in the earliest days; there were no stations between Beaver Creek and Bijou Creek. Muir Springs near Bijou provided fresh water but there was no real relief until the stage reached Fremonts Orchard.

This segment of the route was the most difficult; drifting sands, alkali dust, biting insects. Travel often required special teams of heavy mules – and even then, often able to travel no faster than a walk. Several routes were explored to bypass this segment; the later cut-offs directly overland to Denver eased the traffic but not the difficulty – and those heading west usually chose the river route over the alternatives. Even now, there is no improved road following the route along side the south bank of the river … and no town of any significant size along this stretch on either side of the river.

For this chapter, “Junction Station” is the one that became Ft Morgan. Next stop – Bijou Creek.