This work draws heavily from the diaries of 17 men and women who made the tourmonth 2000 mile trek to California during 1849 and 1850. Part One coverstravel fro... » 

This work draws heavily from the diaries of 17 men and women who made the tourmonth 2000 mile trek to California during 1849 and 1850. Part One coverstravel from the Missouri River to Fort Laramie Part Two covers Fort Laramie toFort Hall and Salt Lake City and Part Three covers the trek from there to theSierra Nevadas.Each part has chapters that detail specific parts of the trail or sites wherethe migrants found something important to write about. The diarists tell ofthe adventures hardships desires concerns deprivations sicknesses anddeaths along the way and of crossing the last great obstacle the Elephant as many of them called it the high ridge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. «