The photo above looks north from the historical maker toward the North Platte River where the Camp Clark Bridge was located.

I tried to zoom in on a peak off in the distance to the south.

I later discovered that I was zooming in on Courthouse and Jail Rocks, two well-known nearby rock formations. Both were major landmarks along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer Trails.

I continued onward and pulled over once again outside of Bayard, Nebraska to take pics of the scenery.

This area is known as the Wildcat Hills. The pointed rock formation on the right side of the photo above is Chimney Rock (4,228 feet).

Chimney Rock rises about 300 feet above the North Platte River Valley.

With the theme of this region being 19th century trails, it's no surprise that the distinct appearance of Chimney Rock became a major landmark along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer Trails.

I tried zooming in on various places within the Wildcat Hills to see what I could see.

Zooming in on part of the Wildcat Hills.

Zooming in on part of the Wildcat Hills.

And what do you know - another train !

Chimney Rock (4,228 feet).

The area around Chimney Rock has been designated a National Historic Site with a Visitor Center. The Chimney Rock Cemetery sits to the southeast of the site.

Zooming in on Chimney Rock (4,228 feet).

Zooming in on a peak behind Chimney Rock.

Turning further to the west, other peaks of the Wildcat Hills came into view.

Zooming in on Castle Rock (4,478 feet).

Zooming in on Coyote Rock (4,483 feet).

Zooming in on the Wildcat Hills.

I stopped again a few minutes later at another historical marker, this one for the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

The Mormon Pioneer Trail covered 1,336 miles from Nauvoo, Illinois to what is now Salt Lake City, Utah.

Information on the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

Information on Chimney Rock and its significance.

Wee Granny.

At this point, US Route 26 was heading away from Chimney Rock and the Wildcat Hills.

But I was still able to zoom in on Chimney Rock.

Zooming in on Chimney Rock from about 3 miles away.

A blurry picture of Chimney Rock.

A blurry picture of the peak behind Chimney Rock.

I hit the road again and made it all the way to Mitchell, Nebraska where I stopped for lunch. I also found myself waiting for yet another train.

Waiting for another train in Mitchell, Nebraska.

BNSF Train in Mitchell, Nebraska.

Thankfully, this train wasn't very long.

I continued west on US Route 26 from Mitchell, Nebraska passing through the town of Morrill and Henry before crossing into Wyoming. I stopped again to check out another historical marker outside of Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

This marker mentions the Cheyenne - Black Hills Trail, another stagecoach trail that allowed access to the gold fields in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This trail originated in Cheyenne, Wyoming and passed near this point on its way to Deadwood, South Dakota.

Another train passed by while I was stopped.

Another train outside of Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

A long coal train outside of Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

Looking to the northwest from the historical marker.

Trying to zoom in on a peak in the distance.

A few miles later, I stopped again at the Guernsey Rest Area in Guernsey, Wyoming.

Guernsey Rest Area along US Route 26, Guernsey, Wyoming.

This rest area featured a number of information displays pertaining to the surrounding areas.

This marker describes the significance of the two forks of the Platte River.

The marker in the photo above provides information on the Oregon Trail and Mexican Hill, both of which are nearby in this direction.

Looking south over the North Platte River.

Looking south over the North Platte River.

Information pertaining to the North Platte River. The map depicted is confusing at first because "north" is indicated downward. But this makes sense when you realize that the map is accurate from where I'm standing, (i.e. "north" is behind me).