Why were people traveling on the California Trail?
Why were people traveling on the California Trail? The California National Historic Trail was a mid-19th century highway for human movement to lures of gold and farmland in California. Between 1841 and 1869, more than 200,000 emigrants traversed the California Trail.
What were the major struggles on the trail?
Stream and river crossings, steep descents and ascents, violent storms, and the persistent threat of disease among large groups of travelers were the most common challenges. Disease was the greatest threat on the trail, especially cholera, which struck wagon trains in years of heavy travel.
What are some fun facts about the California Trail?
The California Trail is an emigrant trail that is about 3,000 miles in distance. Over 250,000 individuals and farmers used it while looking for gold in the gold fields and rich farmlands of the Golden State. It was open from 1841 to 1869, and was considered to be the greatest mass migration in the American History.
Where did people stop on the California Trail?
South Pass was one of the most significant, as many emigrants considered it the halfway point. Finally, Sutter's Fort represented the end of the trail for most travelers. Independence Rock and Devil's Gate were popular places to leave your mark on the stone, some of which still remain.
How difficult was the California Trail?
While heavily traveled, the California Trail proved to be extremely difficult and even fatal for many travelers to cross. Fort Laramie was the last stop for many forty-niners before ascending the Rocky Mountains. Due to the necessity of lightening the load, gold-seekers discarded goods along the trail.