The journeys of a wagon train as it leaves Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts and Rocky Mountains. The time period for this thread is the mid 1830's.
Three major historical trails crossed America's western territories as wagon train routes to Santa Fe, Oregon, and California.
The Santa Fe Trail began in 1821 as a 900-mile (1,400 km) foreign trade route to New Mexico. It was unique in American History due to its overland commerce routes rather than seafaring transportation.
The 2,000-mile (3,200 km) Oregon Trail became more heavily traveled in 1843 by settlers wanting to establish new homes in the northwest.
Other pioneers forked off on the equally long and grueling 2,000-mile (3,200 km) California Trail to seek their fortunes in the gold fields