Page "Albert Pike" Paragraph 2

In 1831, Pike left Massachusetts to travel west, first stopping in St. Louis and later moving on to Independence, Missouri.

In Independence, he joined an expedition to Taos, New Mexico, hunting and trading.

During the excursion his horse broke and ran, forcing Pike to walk the remaining 500 miles to Taos.

After this he joined a trapping expedition to the Llano Estacado in New Mexico and Texas.

Trapping was minimal and, after traveling about 1300 miles ( 650 on foot ), he finally arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas.