2. While the Whole Trail was Challenging, the Worst Part was Near the End
While the whole trail was tough on the pioneers, it usually became harder as the path went on. Part of this was because near the end of the journey, there was practically little to no food left for many of the families. During the most significant years of traveling, which was from the mid-1840s and into the early 1860s, the supply stops would not be able to keep up with the demands of food and supplies. Therefore, some of the families on the wagon trains were not able to resupply their wagon throughout the trip.
Moreover, there were always times when the supplies and food out become damaged, lost, or fell out of the wagon due to the rivers that needed to be crossed and driving conditions of the trail. Furthermore, sometimes pioneers ended up giving some of their food to Native Americans in return for help the pioneers received from the Native Americans along the path. There were times when families were so desperate for food that they started to eat rawhide or tree bark just to try to keep alive.