7th Emigrant Trail Adventure with Chris Collard 2024

In the mid-1800s, the enticement of free land and reports of “gold for the taking” brought a flood of humanity across the Great Plains to the West. It was an arduous 6-month journey that required crossing the vast and foreboding deserts of Nevada, and weary settlers were eager to find the easiest path to the California gold fields.

Join us for an epic adventure as we retrace one of the most infamous of these routes, the Applegate-Lassen Trail—later known as The Death Trail. We’ll cross the Black Rock Desert and thread our way through High Rock Canyon, visiting natural hot springs, pioneer petroglyphs, and little-known sites such as Murder Rock.

Your trip will be led by Off Road Motorsports Hall of Famer, Chris Collard. Chris has spent most of his life adventuring into some of the most remote areas of the world. Bring your camera, as Chris is going to share his love of photography and teach you some of the tricks of the trade throughout this unforgettable journey.

This will be an open-itinerary exploration of the region, setting camp at dusk as the pioneers did, moving on when the sun comes up after a hot cup of joe from the chuck wagon.

Chris Collard

With decades under his belt as an adventure journalist, Chris’ work has been featured in National Geographic Adventure, New York Times, Cigar Aficionado, and dozens of automotive publications, and he spent seven years as Overland Journal’s Editor-in-Chief. As the North America correspondent to publications on five continents, he has reported on events ranging from the Dakar Rally and Outback Challenge Morocco to the Rainforest Challenge Malaysian and Australasian Safari.

In the process, he has traversed all seven continents by four-wheel drive and led expeditions in Africa, Australia, and Central America. Commercial clients include Jeep, Red Bull, Ram Trucks, and Six Speed Media, and 2015 he was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame as a pioneering journalist. When not working, he might be found on a remote Baja playa or The Office (his sailboat) sipping fine tequila and waiting for a tailwind.

Trip Itinerary

* Dinner and lodging included on Wednesday night in Winnemucca. Thursday to Sunday you are responsible for all of your own meals and camping gear.

Wednesday, September 11th – Meet in Winnemucca, Nevada, for a group dinner reception and our last night in modern accommodations before departing on the Adventure.

Thursday, September 12th – After a quick drivers meeting, we have a short highway drive before hitting the dirt for several days. The first day of the Adventure takes us to places like Antelope Springs, Rabbit Hole Springs and the world-famous Black Rock Desert.

Friday, September 13th – As we continue along this historic route, we will experience places such as Double Hot Springs, Hardin City, and Murder Rock. There are exciting stories to all these locations and more, so we will channel your inner historian!

Saturday, September 14th – Yet another stunning day. The landscape changes dramatically as we enter the beautiful High Rock Canyon. Photography opportunities abound, and you’ll be able to fill your pockets with Obsidian too!

Sunday, September 15th – We awake on our final day in Smoke Creek Canyon. After breaking camp for the final time, we will travel around the amazing Pyramid Lake on the way to Reno, where our adventure will come to a close.