When preparing to take on a journey along the Oregon Trail, you should know the facts about the Oregon Trail. Travel to Oregon Country during the 1860s was primarily by foot, with covered wagons, but as the railroads came to the West, it became more difficult to travel the distance. Cholera was a common cause of death along the trail, and Native American attacks increased. After 1860, travel to the West began to decline, and travelers faced more attacks by Native Americans. This article will cover some important information about the Oregon Trail and how to prepare for a four to six month journey.

cholera was the main cause of death on the Oregon Trail

Although cholera was not a common killer on the Oregon Trail, the disease did kill people. The symptoms of cholera, also known as shigellosis, include diarrhea laced with blood and abdominal pain. It spread through contaminated food and water, and was a more serious issue on Civil War battlefields. Infected food and water spread the disease by bacteria, and the main means of prevention was to wash your hands often. However, sanitation was not a priority on the Oregon Trail, and there were no facilities in the area where travelers lived.

Other diseases on the Oregon Trail included alkali sickness, which was a result of drinking water with an extremely high pH. The standard treatment for alkali sickness was an acidic substance, usually flour. People who caught cholera were often unable to recover quickly because of the high water pH levels. Luckily, higher elevations kept cholera epidemics at bay. However, this was not a solution for the disease’s spread.

Travel declined after 1860

After 1860, travel on the Oregon Trail declined. Many Native Americans had died along the way. Travelers were often without food, water, or tools, and often had no idea where they were or what to do next. Travelers often left a message at landmarks along the trail to warn them of possible dangers. These messages could be carved into rocks, trees, or even skulls. In addition to messages, settlers often left strips of cloth on landmarks to signal their presence.

The Oregon Trail was a popular route in the 1840s. By 1860, fifty-three thousand people had travelled the route. But, after 1848, the majority of travelers headed for California. This was the time of the California gold rush, which happened after the Mexican-American War. Thousands of people flooded into California and other Western states. Many travelled by sea to reach the Gold Rush, but the Oregon Trail was a major connecting route between the two states.

Native American attacks increased on the Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail became a favored destination for native Americans, and by August of 1846, there were more attacks on pioneers than ever before. Modoc people occupied the area around Tule, the Lower Klamath, and Clear Lakes. Invasion of the Modocs by the explorers caused a spike in violence and disagreement between white pioneers and Native people. On August 17, the Modoc tribe retaliated by killing four white pioneers, including Kintpuash and his father. The Modoc attacked the settlers in the area, but the U.S. military forces did not intervene.

The Shoshone believed the Union would lose the Civil War, so they faced a choice between reclaiming their sovereignty and starving to death. The Shoshone chief, Pocatello, attempted to stop emigrants from passing through their territory. The Shoshone began military action by attempting to block the emigrants’ trails. The first skirmishes were at the City of Rocks, along the California Trail. In the skirmishes, six white men died and the rest escaped.

Preparation for a four to six month journey on the Oregon Trail

Before heading out on the trail, you must prepare yourself for the trip. A full supply of food is a necessity for long-distance hiking. You will need a cast iron skillet, coffee pot, and water barrels. It will be necessary to purchase extra parts for your wagon, such as axles and tongues. You also need cooking utensils and water barrels for your family. You will also need hunting knives and fishing poles.

The cost of an ocean voyage was prohibitive. A single fare in a cabin in 1849 cost almost $500, and would barely provide a family with the basics they needed to settle in the new land. But a wagon journey to the new Oregon territories took four to six months. Besides, there were other risks involved in sea travel. A journey of more than a year could cost more than half a family’s income.

Planning for unexpected ferry rides on the Oregon Trail

It’s hard to imagine that 200 years ago people would take a trip from Oregon to California without having to deal with the possibility of an unexpected ferry ride. After all, the Oregon Trail spanned more than two thousand miles. While the Oregon Trail is a famous historical route, there are a few unexpected ferry rides that could throw the entire journey off course. Fortunately, navigating this route on foot is a lot safer today than it was in the early nineteenth century.

The Oregon National Historic Trail, an easier route, follows the original trail, which stretched more than two thousand miles from Independence, Missouri, to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. This journey would typically take between five and six months. While some people traveled the entire length of the trail, others stopped at other points along the way or moved south into California or Utah. While the trail’s popularity peaked in the 1840s and was in high demand for much of the century, it still has an impact on the landscape of the U.S.