Ordeal By Hunger
By George R. Stewart
The Donner Party
In 1846 the Donner Party set out for California.When the wagon train started their journey there were 87 people in it. By the time they arrived in California only 40 where still alive. During their long trek the Donner Party encountered many obstacles such as
mountains,rivers,and deserts.
Mountains
There were two mountain ranges that emigrants would have to cross on the way to California. The Rockies and the Sierra Nevada's. Both mountain ranges were almost impossible to cross in the winter and the only reason that emigrants could pass through the Rockies was because of South Pass. Once the emigrants passed through the Sierra's they were finally in California.
Rivers
There were many rivers that had to be crossed on the way west including the Mississippi,the Missouri,and the Snake river. Many emigrants drowned in the river crossings. In 1849 alone almost 80 pioneers drowned crossing rivers on the trail.
Deserts
The Donner party planned to travel through the salt flats surrounding the Great Salt Lake.Their guide Hastings told them that is was a narrow area that could be traveled through in several days,but in fact it took the wagon train several weeks. In the desert the party lost 2 of its members and almost half of its cattle. The cattle that was lost were killed by Native Americans.
Native Americans
There were many Native American tribes along the way to California and not all of them were friendly. Several tribes along the trail were known for being quite angry with pioneers for good reason. When the pioneers went through their land they disrupted things and killed buffalo. Also even when the emigrants arrived in California they would build their homes,farms,and towns on what was native soil.
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail - Short Section After Mt Laguna
The Trail to California
The California trail which emigrants such as the Donner party traveled on to get to California was long and difficult. The trail went around and through mountains, and steep cliffs. Many wagons would break down on the trails rough rocks and boulders.