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Ascending OR descending steep trails, the fording of deep, wide, or fast-moving rivers, broken axles, and getting stuck in ruts or mud or sand were all problems that individual wagons had to overcome on the great venture west. Wagon trains still had to be able to keep their accompanying livestock nearby while protecting them from wolves, mountain lions, bears, and the occasional wild, rogue native American raiding parties. Watering places for the animals and 'sticking together' were of prime importance. Traveling at the right time of year to avoid the mountain snow was an important lesson driven home by the horrible misfortunates of the doomed Donner Party (See the Related Link[s] listed below). Many wagon trains avoided the rigors of the Oregon Trail by taking the southern, Santa Fe Trail instead.

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13y ago

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