Purposes of a Handcart Trek

From 1856 to 1860, about 3,000 Latter-day Saints pulled handcarts across the American plains to gather in the Salt Lake Valley.  These pioneers trekked more than a thousand miles through heat and cold; through mud, sand, and sometimes snow; and through rivers and over mountains.  They faced trials that required great faith and perseverance.

Modern handcart treks provide powerful opportunities to strengthen testimonies, build unity, do family history, and learn core gospel principles.

"Brothers and sisters, join with us and begin now to prepare for a spiritual journey . . . by walking in the footsteps of our beloved pioneers in every land.  We must be sure that the legacy of faith received from them is never lost.  Let their heroic lives touch our hearts, and especially the hearts of our youth, so the fire of true testimony and unwavering love for the Lord and His Church will blaze brighly within each one of us as it did in our faithful pioneers."     --Elder M. Russell Ballard

Report from the Tucson South Stake 2021 Trek

The link below will take you to an article from our local magazine, Vail Style.  In August 2021, they ran an article about our trek in the Dragoon mountains.  The article begins on page 24.

2021 Trek Information

This year's trek ran from Thursday, June 3rd through Saturday, June 5th.  Youth who turn 14 this year or older, up to and including those who graduate high school this year, participated in trek this year.

The youth met in the early morning at the Smith ranch on Thursday, organize into families and companies, and began their trek.  They pulled handcarts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday along an established route.