2. 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

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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