The 2,200-mile east-west trail served as a critical transportation route for emigrants traveling from Missouri to Oregon and other points West during the mid-1800's. Along this route,the settlers would face many challenges such as Indian attacks, fierce weather, difficult terrain features, and many diseases(etc.). This trail was the only viable land route for settlers to get to the West Coast. The first emigrants to make the trip were Marcus and Narcissa Whitman who made the trip in 1836. Once in Oregon and California, settlers would start a new life and build farms or sett off to the gold mines. Today you can visit Oregon and see the the 125 historic sites and see over 300 miles of existing wagon ruts. The Oregon Trail had many difficulties
