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Dead Horse Summit During the early 1900's, mail was carried from Bartle, the end of the McCloud River Railroad, to Fall River Valley, via horse teams. In the winter the horses were equipped with snow shoes and pulled a bobsled with the mail. In sections of the route, the snow was from six to twelve feet deep. In the winter of 1916, a man came to Fall River Valley to purchase horses for the army. Against advice, he stated for Bartle to put his horses on the train. Some of the horses became trapped in the deep snow, so the man dug down to the ground, distance of ten feet, so the horses would have a solid place to stand. He then built fires by the horses to keep them warm. In spite of all he could do, many horses died from exposure and lack of movement. As you drive down Highway 89, near Bartle, you pass over a summit, which is called "Dead Horse Summit". Now you know the reason for the name. from The Siskiyou County Museum and Historical Society Keith Arnold |