Wagon Days celebrates the mining heritage in the Wood River Valley. Ketchum was a prosperous silver mining town in the mid-1800's. Big Hitch Ore Wagons were used to haul thousands of pounds of ore on narrow mountain roads with hairpin curves and ledges that dropped off thousands of feet. It was a daunting task for the mule skinner, a man who knew every inch of the wagon he drove, the personality of each of his mules, and the road he was driving. He did this with a jerkline, which is a rein that is 100 feet long that is attached to each of the mules. With distinct whips and jerks, the skinner commands the mules and navigates the road. The mule team can number up to 20 mules. Mules were used instead of horses because of their temperament, power, and stamina.
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The Big Hitch |
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The Mule Skinner |
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The Brakemen |
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The End! |
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