California Trail

The California Trail was a historic route used in the 1800s by thousands of pioneers migrating westward to California during the Gold Rush. Stretching about 2,000 miles from Missouri to California, it crossed plains, mountains, and deserts, often challenging travelers with difficult terrain and weather. The trail was part of a network of routes that facilitated migration, trade, and settlement in the western United States. It played a significant role in American expansion and westward development, leaving a lasting mark on history through landmarks, trail remnants, and the stories of those who traversed it seeking new opportunities.