TOWNS & LANDMARKS
This Illinois town is where the Reed family begins their journey west.
Springfield
The wagons often get stuck while crossing this natural obstacle.
Answer: What is mud (or rivers)?
These animals pull the wagons across the trail.
Answer: What are oxen?
Patty hides this special item in the wagon when told to leave things behind.
Answer: What is her doll?
Families travel west in these covered vehicles.
Answer: What are wagons?
The group travels through this state before heading into more dangerous territory
Missouri
The group struggles to move forward through this harsh desert area.
the Great Salt Lake Desert?
As food becomes scarce, families begin to lose these animals.
Answer: What are livestock (oxen/cattle)?
The Reed family is separated from James Reed after this happens.
Answer: What is he is forced to leave the group (banished)?
Travelers must cross rivers, which can be very this.
Answer: What is dangerous?
This fort is one of the last stops before heading into the mountains
Fort Bridger
Delays happen because the trail is harder than expected due to this choice.
Answer: What is taking the Hastings Cutoff?
Some animals die because of this harsh condition.
Answer: What is lack of food/water (or exhaustion)?
The Donner Party becomes trapped after this weather event.
Answer: What is a heavy snowstorm?
Food must be carefully managed because supplies are this.
Answer: What is limited?
This shortcut route chosen by the group ends up slowing them down.
Answer:
What is the Hastings Cutoff
Early snowfall creates this major problem for the travelers.
Answer: What is being trapped in the mountains?
Losing these animals makes travel much more difficult because they do this job.
Answer: What is pull the wagons?
People in the group must build these to survive the winter.
Answer: What are shelters/cabins?
Travelers rely on each other for survival, showing this important trait.
Answer: What is teamwork/cooperation?
This mountain range traps the Donner Party with heavy snow.
Answer:
Sierra Nevada mountains?
Because of delays, the group reaches the mountains during this dangerous time of year.
Answer: What is late fall/early winter?
In desperate times, animals become this for the starving travelers.
Answer: What is food?
Rescue parties finally arrive bringing this life-saving help.
Answer: What is food and supplies?
Continuing the journey despite hardships shows this character trait.
Answer: What is perseverance?