The location of the ports was inconvenient and the journey often took a full year compared to four to six months by wagon. The Oregon Trail was more of a network of trails rather than just one. Numerous other trails followed, including the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, and the Bozeman Trail. Some came as far as Oregon's Willamette Valley to farm and others split off into southern Idaho to follow the California Trail in search of gold. Once in the desired location, settlers would begin a new life building farms or working in gold mines. Whether the perilous journey across the county was worth it or not, only the early pioneers would know. In early spring, the pioneers gathered in the meadow... center of the map... the men followed Lieutenant Gratten to make the Indians pay for their mistake. When the Sioux realized their mistake they were offered a horse in exchange. Gratten ordered his men to fire on the tribe who had been told by their leader to hold off on retaliation. However, when Gratten shot the chief, a war broke out with the Sioux Indians that lasted for decades. Weather was another major danger that the colonists faced on their journey. Traveling in the summer months meant thunderstorms, lightning and hail. Death by lightning or apple-sized hail was not uncommon. Overall, one in ten did not survive the long journey across the country. The Oregon Trail migration is one of the most important events in American history. Today, you can travel a similar route from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon, visit 125 historic sites, and see more than 300 miles of existing wagon ruts..

Topic > The location of the ports was inconvenient and the journey often took a full year compared to four to six months by wagon. The Oregon Trail was more of a network of trails rather than just one. Numerous other trails followed, including the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, and the Bozeman Trail. Some came as far as Oregon's Willamette Valley to farm and others split off into southern Idaho to follow the California Trail in search of gold. Once in the desired location, settlers would begin a new life building farms or working in gold mines. Whether the perilous journey across the county was worth it or not, only the early pioneers would know. In early spring, the pioneers gathered in the meadow... center of the map... the men followed Lieutenant Gratten to make the Indians pay for their mistake. When the Sioux realized their mistake they were offered a horse in exchange. Gratten ordered his men to fire on the tribe who had been told by their leader to hold off on retaliation. However, when Gratten shot the chief, a war broke out with the Sioux Indians that lasted for decades. Weather was another major danger that the colonists faced on their journey. Traveling in the summer months meant thunderstorms, lightning and hail. Death by lightning or apple-sized hail was not uncommon. Overall, one in ten did not survive the long journey across the country. The Oregon Trail migration is one of the most important events in American history. Today, you can travel a similar route from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon, visit 125 historic sites, and see more than 300 miles of existing wagon ruts..