Jedediah Strong Smith
"Well then ... a rest area doesn't do Jed Smith's remarkable trailblazing justice! Better spots would be the Northern Nevada Museum, or better yet, further north on US 93 near his junction with the Schell Creeks. Just an idea." -- March 2008
![[84]](http://www.nv-landmarks.com/Landmark%20Photos/wp/shl84.jpg)
| Along US 93, 3.4 miles north of Ely |
39.290924, -114.839044Original Date Visited: 3/13/08
Signed: No
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Exact Description:
In May-June, 1827, Jedediah Smith attempted to find a route from California's central valley to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah, and he became the first European to completely cross what is now Nevada.
Because Smith's journal and map have never been found, his exact route is unknown. Based on Smith's own statements about his difficult trip, modern Nevada historians and geographers have pieced together the most plausible route. Smith crossed the Sierra Nevada at Ebbetts Pass, swung southeast along or across the headwaters and the middle reaches of Walker River, and passed into central Nevada's trackless waste south of Walker Lake.
He entered Smoky Valley on its southwest side in June, 1827, and crossed the valley in a northeasterly direction. He then paralleled the future Simpson Survey, route of the Pony Express and Overland Stage, along modern U.S. Highway 50.
He entered Utah at Ibapah.
By 1824, Jedediah Smith had catalogued more of the American map than any other explorer. This guy got around!
The Life of Jedediah Smith
COVERED IN MY US 50 ROAD TRIP | 
COVERED IN US MY 93 ROAD TRIP |
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Related Links & Markers:
Jedediah Smith: Desert USA Jedediah Strong Smith (Oregon Encyclopedia)
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