Why Go? Panic of 1837- Huge depression leaves

farmers broke Free land- Up to a square mile Fertile soil, nicer weather, fewer diseases

and insects (especially mosquitoes)

A. The Great Plains

•Wide, rolling prairie of lush grasses. •Less than 20 inches of rain a year, but the ground was often muddy-wagons got stuck •Many streams, rivers and springs. •Frequent storms-strong winds and electrical displays. •15 million buffalo roamed--impact?

When to Leave?

• People must leave in early May• Grass needs time to grow in the Great Plains- Food for animals

• Need to beat winter in the Rockies

B. The Platte River was sluggish and shallow. Low, sandy banks, small islands and quicksand. No shade. The heat tired animals and people, and caused wooden wheels to shrink.

C. Rocky MountainsTrail became rugged, trees had to be cut down, boulders moved and detours made around deep gulches. Crossing any water meant unloading, disassembling, and reloading after the cross. The Rockies -largest mountain range in the U.S.Sudden, dramatic change with snow-capped peaks over 3,000 feet high.

Who Went?

Missionaries and fur trappers go first Average farmers follow Merchants and speculators come last

D. South Pass in southern Wyoming was only way to cross mountains. Dry, rocky terrain. Thinning air. Wagons were emptied and a system of guide ropes and pulleys kept them from tipping over. Unpredictable weather.

Facts Death Rate = 10% (disease and

accidents) People walked, wagons for supplies only

E. The Great BasinAfter Fort Hall on the Snake River - a plateau. Dusty and dreary.Followed the Snake, but often on steep 500 foot slopes. Water was often unattainable.Impassable gorges and canyons frequently interrupted the trail.

More Facts Indians generally helpful- they wanted trade Most travelers used the SOUTH PASS They were escorted by Mountain Men like Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger

F. Blue MountainsLast major barrier to the Columbia Valley. Steep climb through thick forests with ropes, winches, pulleys, and chains to lift wagons. Kept the wagons from tumbling uncontrollably downward. Emigrants were weakened by exposure to: hot sun, cold nights, rainstorms, hail, snow storms.

G. Columbia RiverHere wagons were sold or taken apart and travelers continued by raft or riverboat to the Willamette River. Strong winds held the rafts still for days. A swift river with many rapids . Many pioneers died.

H. Willamette Valley It was a lush, flat valley. Most emigrants settled at the mouth of the river. Each year more pioneers arrived, cleared farms, and populated the fertile valley