Some settlers ended up walking the trail for various reasons:
1. Limited space in wagons: Wagon trains heading to the West during the settlement period had limited space available in wagons. Typically, these wagons could accommodate only a small number of individuals or families. Therefore, some settlers had no choice but to walk alongside the wagons.
2. Preference for walking: Some settlers may have chosen to walk instead of riding in the wagons. Walking provided them with the freedom to explore the surroundings, stretch their legs, and experience the journey more closely.
3. Limited resources: Settlers often had limited resources, and owning a wagon or having a horse for each individual or family was not always feasible. In such cases, walking became the most practical and economical option.
4. Requirement to walk: In certain situations, pioneers were required to walk the trail. For instance, if the wagons were already filled to capacity with essential supplies, children, elderly, or injured individuals, the able-bodied settlers might be required to walk.
It should be noted that while the majority of settlers chose to ride in wagons, some inevitably ended up walking due to the various reasons mentioned above.
Why did some settlers end up walking the trail?
There was only room for one or two people to ride in the wagon.
They liked to walk.
Pioneers were required to walk.
None of them walked because it was too far.
3 answers
pick one
If we have to pick one specific reason, it would be because there was limited space in the wagons.