Jim Bridger was the quintessential America Mountain Man. He began as a trapper in the early 1820s, and would become one of the most celebrated frontiersmen in the United States. He is often credited as the first white man to reach the Great Salt Lake, and amongst the first to explore the Yellowstone area. After the demand for beaver fur declined, he became one of the most accomplished guides and explorers of the west.
Episodes
Jim Bridger – Part 1 – Early Years and the Great Salt Lake
In our first episode of the series, we talk about the early years of Bridger’s life, including his path on becoming a veteran trapper and mountain man. This episode also includes Bridger’s reaching of the Great Salt Lake – him being the first white man to ever reach the lake.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jim Bridger – Part 2 – King of the Mountain Men
In part 2 of our series, we talk about the adventures Bridger had in his years as a trapper (1825-1840). We will also look at some of the people he encountered, and the places he visited. We will also discuss the changing fur industry, and how the west evolved during these years.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jim Bridger – Part 3 – Go West!
In part 2 of our series, the 1840s will feature waves of people coming west – including settlers, miners and Mormons. Bridger will build that will later become a part of the Oregon Trail, and become a guide for those looking to forge new routes through the mountains.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jim Bridger – Part 4 – Brigham Young, the Mormons, and various expeditions
In this episode, we detail the growing conflict between Brigham Young and the United States government – and the effect it had on Bridger. We will also talk about Bridger’s time as a guide for several expeditions – including his work with an American survey team heading into the mountains around the Yellowstone River.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jim Bridger – Part 5 – The Utah War, Raynolds Expedition, Bridger Trail and the Telegraph
This episode covers some of the most dramatic changes of the west in Jim Bridger’s life. This includes the Utah War, the coming of the telegraph, and several expeditions of exploration, including the establishment of the Bridger Trail to the goldfields of Montana.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jim Bridger – Part 6 – Powder River Expedition, Red Cloud’s War, and final years
In the final episode in our series on Bridger, we take the mountain man on his final western adventures – the Powder River Expedition, and Red Cloud’s War. We then wrap up by talking about the final years of Bridger’s life, and his legacy.
Download this episode or listen online.
Maps
This is a (very) rough map of some of the key places that were a part of Bridger’s life.
Oregon Trail Map – Here’s a nice map of the Oregon Trail – and the California Trail – from the blog of J. Dawg.
Resources
Jim Bridger: Trailblazer of the American West, by Jerry Enzler. This is the best biography of Bridger that I found.
Jim Bridger: Mountain Man, by Stanley Vestal. Dated biography, but still entertaining.
Explorers Podcast 