Was the journey to California safe in 1848?

Answer 1

No. Every mile was dangerous. Each year the wagon trains started in late April or early May. Timing was crucial. If they left too early they might not find enough grass to feed the livestock. Too late they could be stranded in the mountains by snow. The Oregon Trail was little more than a pair of wheel ruts across 2400 miles of prairie land. They faced deep rivers, rapids, and had to Ford these with the wagons. Often, the animals or wagons would be washed down river or get stuck. The first weeks on the trail were the easiest. Wagons had fresh supplies, the animals were sleek and happy, the land was flat and the days were nice. Soon, though, they would face violent rainstorms, winds, and top heavy wagons were blown over by the winds. Everything would get wet. As they got to the Rockies the trail became harder and they struggled with the loads on the wagons. Soon they had to dump household items to lighten the loads. Half of the people were now ill and bounced along in wagons. Many walked the entire route. Those going to CA had to cross the deserts of Utah and Nevada and pull themselves up the Sierra Nevada mountains. They were overcome by heat, tired, and animals would drop dead in the yoke, food supplies ran low, and wagons would go over the side of a mountain pass. Babies were born on the trail and many died, accidents and disease killed people. After 6-8 months they finally got to CA.