Imagine for just a moment that you are totally covered in dust, feet sore and blistered, and hotter than you could ever imagine.  You have been walking for the past two months and now you seem to be in country that is baron and hot.  As you look out on the horizon, there is the largest mountain range that you have ever seen and you just know that you will never make it over those rugged looking mountains.  It’s the 1800’s and you are one of the millions heading west to settle the “wild west” or in search of gold and strike it rich.

Wyoming played a huge part in the expansion of the United States in the 1800’s.  There were over 340 miles of trails leading to California.  Two of the more popular trails were the Oregon Trail, and the Overland Trails.  The Bureau of Land Management has preserved these trails in Wyoming.  Today, people can experience these trails which have been relatively unchanged since the 1800’s.  People can still see the ruts made by the covered wagons, and visit important landmarks, historic sites and trading posts that were once vital to earlier travelers.  It is amazing to see firsthand what the pioneers had to endure during their journey west.

These trails carried over 200,000 people seeking gold or more fertile land for their crops.  During 1840-1860 it was known as the greatest mass migration in American history.  When experiencing these trails first hand in Wyoming it is a great reminder of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of our early pioneers.