Mountain Men & The Green River

Statue of a Mountain Man Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale, Wyoming Courtesy of pinedaleonline.com	Wind River Mountains	Green River Rendezvous Pageant 2001 Courtesy of pinedaleonline.com
Mountain Men of the Green River, which is the headwater of the Colorado River, were involved in The Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Trapping was their main purpose of being mountain men. In the Rockies, beaver was the fur of choice. It was trapped mainly by those who had come over from Europe in company groups. The beaver pelts were sold at a yearly rendezvous and then sold again in big cities. This system allowed the mountain men to stay in the wilderness year round, as they did not have to travel to a city to sell their furs. Both John Jacob Astor's New American Fur Company and the Rocky Mountain Fur Company would be successful in creating the Rocky Mountain trading system. In the spring and fall, the mountain men trapped animals for fur. The spring hunt usually brought in the most furs and was the most profitable season for the Mountain Men. In November, when the streams had frozen over, the mountain men would discontinue trapping. In their spare time, they would play cards, checkers, dominoes, tell stories and read books. They would also compete in physical contests.The mountain men looked forward to Rendezvous. Rendezvous is when the mountain men would gather to sell furs and get supplies. They also played games and swapped stories. A Rendezvous reenactment goes on every July in Pinedale to remember this event. One of the most famous Mountain Men was James Bridger, commonly known as Jim Bridger. Jim Bridger was a member of the Upper Missouri expedition. He was one of the last living mountain men when he died in 188l.Other well-known mountain men are Kit Carson and John Fremont. Many landforms and towns have been named by or after mountain men.
What is the connection between Mountain Men and the Green River? The Green River and its tributaries provided the habitat for the beaver and many other species of animals that were hunted or trapped.
Jim Bridger was one of the most famous mountain men that ever lived.	Beavers were hunted by mountain men for their furs.	"Indian Children" play together in the Green River Rendezvous Pageant in 2001. Courtesy of pinedaleonline.com