The Way West

With South Pass behind them, Oregon- and California-bound travelers faced the second half of their journey, and the roughest travel was yet to come. From Missouri to South Pass, emigrants were able to follow rivers, but from South Pass to Oregon and California they faced dry stretches such as the high-altitude desert of the Green River Basin. The dry climate played havoc with wagon wheels by shrinking wood away from iron rims. About 20 miles west on the trail, emigrants arrived at the Sublette Cutoff, also known as the Parting-of-the-Ways, where groups separated, some going to Oregon, some to Utah, and others to California. Whatever their destination, every day they struggled with life along the trail. Lonely graves, most unmarked, testify to thousands of lives taken by cholera, accidents, especially at river crossings, and childbirth. Attacks by Native Americans were often feared, but almost never occurred.

Wyoming · United States