INTRODUCTION Left in the early spring for the trip west Covered over 2,000 miles Travelled 15 miles a day Began the journey at Independence, Missouri Mainly young adult males in the early years Travelled in groups Some groups split up at various parts of the trail Wagon trains came much later

The Great Plains What kind of problems do you think pioneers faced here?

THE GREAT PLAINS No trees, flat, fertile soil Rainy summers Plenty of electrical storms and tornados 15,000 buffalo roam the plains Hides used for clothes and shoes Chips (poo) used for fuel

Platte River How do you think pioneers got across the Platte and other rivers in their path?

THE PLATTE RIVER Shallow Quicksand in river Drownings Crossed by using a quid wire across the river Littered the rivers and surrounding areas with lead, bacon, salt, trunks, driving bells Independence Rock was a marker along the river

Rocky Mountains How do you think settlers felt when they saw the Rocky Mountains? What difficulties did they encounter while crossing them?

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS Wagons lagged behind the main train Some wagons tipped over Trees had to be cut in order pass Wagons had to be unloaded for creek crossings Animals were lost due to overwork Almost an impassable natural barrier Discovery of the South Pass made the trek more doable

South Pass What problems do you think these features caused for the pioneers?

THE SOUTH PASS A dry, rocky terrain of wild sagebrush and prickly pear Gradual inclines made it difficult for the wagon train Wagons had to be emptied and a system of guide ropes and pullies used to keep the wagons from tipping over Many river crossings Unpredictable weather slowed travel No areas for the animals to graze No game available for hunting At the lush banks of the Green River water and timber were plentiful

Great Basin What do you think were the main difficulties pioneers faced here? How do you think they overcame the difficulties?

THE GREAT BASIN An intermountain region between the Rocky, Cascade Mountain and Sierra Nevada ranges Travel was somewhat easier, gradual declines; on a plateau One of the driest parts of the country Trail was dusty and dreary Followed the Snake River; confined to the steep banks and 500 foot bluffs Water was often unattainable Impassable gorges and canyons Deep river crossings were treacherous: swift moving currents and rapids Crossed on ferries: rafts capsized

Blue Mountains What kind of health problems do you think pioneers faced at this point in the journey?

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS Very steep, but not wide Thick vast forest areas Wagons were lifted up by ropes, pulleys, winches, and chains To descend, the same system was used Western slope offered a grassy, lush valley that led to the Columbia R. Many health concerns: exposure to the hot sun, cold nights, rainstorms, hailstorms, sandy and dusty trails, and snow

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS Other health issues included: dysentery, cholera, measles, mountain fevers, sores on unwashed bodies, and accidents Heat exhaustion caused some to fall off the wagon and were run over by the wagon wheels Bugs! Bugs! And more Bugs! Wild animals: snakes, bears, wolves, and buffalo

Columbia River How do you think the pioneers got their wagons and animals down the river?

THE COLUMBIA RIVER South bank of the river lead to the Dalles End of the wagon train portion of the journey Transported by riverboats or rafts River was very swift with rapids Animals were taken over the sheer, narrow footpath along the river Due to uncertain conditions on the river, many pioneers died

THE COLUMBIA RIVER After 1864 a land route was followed “Thursday, September 18th. Traveled 14 miles over the worst road that was ever made, up and down, very steep, rough and rocky hills, through mud holes, twisting and winding round stumps, logs and fallen trees.” Amelia Stewart Knight

Willamette Valley How do you think they felt when they saw this valley? What do you think they did during their first weeks here?

THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY Lush, flat valley awaited the weary traveler Cleared forests and settled in the rich valley of the Willamette Travelled over 2,000 miles from Missouri They successfully conquered the Oregon Trail