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Day 1 - Arrivals
Welcome to the historic gate city of St. Louis. Pioneers headed for the Oregon Trail took steamboats from here to Independence (and later Westport) where they purchased wagons and outfitted them for the five month journey ahead. We will overnight here before embarking on our own Oregon Trail Adventure.

Day 2 - Beginnings
Between 1842 and 1860 an estimated 250,000 emigrants traveled this route west. We'll begin our journey back in time with a visit to the Museum of Westward Expansion which covers the entire period of westward migration Well also visit historic SL Charles, a fur trading center which has been lovingly restored, and Arrow Rock State Historic Site before moving on to Independence, the official start of the trail.

Day 3 - Wagon Ho!
The National Frontier Trails Center sits right on the original spring where pioneers filled their water barrels for the journey ahead. From historic Independence Square, we'll move on to Kansas City, where we'll visit an amazing display of perfectly preserved cargo from an 1850's steamboat wreck, supplies which were originally intended for westering pioneers. Well follow the trail into present-day Kansas and overnight in Topeka near the site where the Oregon route separated from the Santa Fe Trail.

Day 4 - Prairie VIistas
Our fourth day on the trail begins with a visit to the Kansas Museum of History, one of the top state historical museums in the country. Our journey across the prairie will also include a visit to the Hollenberg Pony Express Station where we'll be treated to a pioneer fashion show, exhibiting authentic recreations of garb worn by 19th century men and women. Our overnight will be at Beatrice.

Day 5 - The Great Platte River Road
Today we'll visit Rock Creek Station, the first major milepost on the trail, which served the Pony Express as well as pioneers. We'll see actual wagon ruts carved into the earth by hundreds of prairie schooners 150 years ago. Living history exhibits enhance this outstanding example of a 19th century roadhouse. In the 18 months preceding an 1849 War Department report, an estimated 30,000 emigrants passed through Fort Keamev, built in 1848 solely for the protection of emigrants. We'll tour the fort and hear the reminiscences of a '52 pioneer before overnighting in the nearby town of Kearney.

Day 6 - Ash Hollow / Chimney Rock
Sweet spring water made Ash Hollow a major stopover on the Oregon Trail a welcome respite after negotiating the treacherous Windlass Hill where wagon nits remain to tell the story of the arduous lowering of wagons down the steep incline. Further west, Chimney Rock - perhaps the most famous landmark along the trail - served as a gauge of the distance already covered and as a sign of the mountainous terrain to come. Tonight we'll enjoy a prairie cookout and evening program in the shadow of Chimney Rock. We'll overnight in Scottsbluff.

Day 7 - Fort Laramie / Register Cliff
Established in 1834 by fur trappers, Fort Laramie became a major military post along the Oregon Trail. The living history exhibits and interpretive tour of the fort provide a deeper understanding of both the westward expansion movement and the Native Americans who staked their lives on preventing it. Wagon wheel ruts are still visible at nearby Guernsey State Park and Register Cliff, which rises 100 feet above the prairie, reflects names and hometowns of thousands of pioneers who passed by in the 1850's and 1860's. Well end today's leg of the journey in Casper, Wyoming.

Day 8 - Oregon Wagon Train
Fort Caspar is a faithful replica of the military post built here in 1858. Although it had only a brief lifespan its location marks a crucial crossing (by either bridge or Mormon ferry) of the Platte River by westering pioneers. The and plains of central Wyoming are little changed from 150 years ago when the pioneers approached the Continental Divide. We'll experience our own wagon ride here in authentic Conestoga wagons that retrace the actual route of our predecessors. We'll overnight again in Casper.

Day 9- South Pass -The Continental Divide
Pioneers embarking on the hazardous Oregon Trail knew at the outset that they had to begin late enough in the spring to have grass for the livestock, but early enough to cross the mountains before the first major snowfall. Those fortunate enough to reach Independence Rock by the Fourth of July knew that they had accomplished both goals. The occasion was one of celebration, a pause to rest the livestock and wash off the trail dust and of course, carve their names on the rock. We'll end our day in Evans Eon near the Wyoming/Idaho border.

Day 10 - Fort Brigder / Fort Hall 
This morning we'll pay a visit to Fort Bridger, Wyoming's oldest permanent settlement Established in 1842 by mountain man, Jim Bridger, the fort served the Overland Stage, Pony Express and Union Pacific as well as the weary Oregon Trail emigrants. Then we'll follow the beautiful Snake River into Idaho where we'll visit the recreated Fort Hall (we're two-thirds of the way there!) and the Bannock County Historical Museum which presents the Native American side of westward expansion. A special treat awaits us here: an authentic Dutch Oven Dinner such as the pioneers might have prepared over a campfire. Tonight we overnight in Pocatello.

Day 11 - Three Island Crossing
Some of the most hazardous crossings and precipices of the journey occurred when the pioneers and their stock were the most worn out. Add to that the reaction by the Indians that the pioneers were not just passers-through but permanent settlers, and the task becomes nearly unbearable. Today we'll visit two of the final obstacles: Three Island Crossing and Massacre Rock Pass, each with its own living history interpretation. Our overnight will be in the Idaho capitol of Boise.

Day 12 - Oregon Trail Center
Journey's end is in sight as we move on to the present-day state of Oregon. We'll pass the pioneer mileposts of Farewell Bend where California-bound settlers split off to the south, and Flagstaff Hill, site of the impressive 23,000 square foot Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Probably the most comprehensive interpretive center on the trail, this outstanding facility with its state-of-the-art exhibits and living history interpretation, will complete the experience of our tour. Tonight we'll overnight in nearby Baker City.

Day 13 - Trail's End 
The Lewis & Clark Trail merges here as we follow the Columbia River, stopping at the Dalles where pioneers made the choice of paying exorbitant prices to float their wagons the final 60 miles or following the Barlow Road past the south side of Mount Hood. Oregon City, our home for tonight is the official end of the trail. We'll celebrate new-found friends and a fresh awareness of a major influence on the course of American history with a festive farewell dinner tonight in Oregon City. 

Day 14 - Departure 
Sadly we bid a fond farewell to our Oregon Trail adventure as we board our departing flights for home. 

Highlights: Museum of Westward Expansion, Historic St. Charles, Arabia Steamboat Museum, National Frontier Trails Center, Fort Leavenworth, Hollenberg Pony Express Station, Homestead National Monument, Fort Kearney, Ash Hollow, Chimney Rock, Scotts Bluff, Fort Laramie, Register Cliff, Fort Caspar, Oregon Trail ride, Independence Rock, Fort Bridger, Three Island Crossing, Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Begins in St. Louis and ends in Portland.

Package Includes: 13 nights' lodging, 4 evening meals, 1 luncheon, several continental breakfasts, deluxe motorcoach and driver, professional "wagon master", all admission fees, park entrance fees,  living history programs and re-enactors, baggage handling, airport transfers.

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001