The first covered wagons came into the Rocky Mountains in 1830 and made their way as far west as Fort Washakie in Wyoming. Efforts were made to find passable wagon trails through the mountains to the Pacific Coast, a goal that was finally reached. At that time, the entire northwest mountain area was known as Oregon Country, and western travel was either to the Oregon or the California regions. Although early maps place the probable location of the first Oregon Trail north of here, well-marked wagon ruts and stories of Indians and settlers indicate that the first wagon migration to Oregon followed the southwesterly shores of Bear Lake, leaving this valley through a canyon to the northwest and then going to the upper reaches of the Bear River. This belief is further supported because this was the site of an important trappers' rendezvous as early as 1827, and well-marked trails were followed for many years in and out of this valley.