| Pacific Creek | |
| River | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Wyoming |
| Source | |
| - location | South Pass, Wyoming |
| - coordinates | [1] |
| Mouth | Little Sandy Creek |
| - location | Farson, Wyoming |
| - coordinates | [1] |
| Length | 36 mi (58 km) |
Pacific Creek is a stream in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The approximately 36 miles (58 km) long stream rises on the western side of South Pass and flows into the Little Sandy Creek near Farson, Wyoming. As the name implies, the stream starts just to the west of the Continental Divide and so is on the "Pacific" side of the divide. The waters from the stream eventually flow into the Pacific ocean via the Green River and Colorado River. The stream is a notable landmark on the Oregon, California and Mormon emigration trails.
South Pass was first discovered by white settlers in 1812, and was crossed by the first wagon trains in 1832. Pacific Creek was the first water that the trains encountered after leaving the Sweetwater River at Burnt Ranch on the eastern side of the pass. Many wagon trains took the opportunity to camp and refresh at Pacific Springs which is the first significant feeder into Pacific Creek[2]. After leaving Pacific Creek, the wagon trains entered a dry stretch of the trail with the next good water nearly 40 miles (64 km) away at the Green River.