We visited segments of the trail that was taken in 1776 by Franciscan Priests Dominguez & Escalante in search of a route to California. This journey happened at the same time period as the birth of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The adventure went through parts of modern day Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. They were assisted along the way by Ute Native Americans but eventually found themselves in a dangerous situation.