The Oregon Trail was a treacherous and harsh 2,200-mile journey that began at various points along the Missouri River and headed west into the supposedly beautiful and abundant Oregon Territory. Many supplies were needed for the journey and families had difficulty earning the necessary money. Indian attacks were not a problem at first, but things heated up as more and more people used the trail to access the Oregon Territory. Illnesses and accidents also became a problem for travelers as not much was known about health at that time. The Oregon Trail proved to be a very difficult journey for travelers to venture on, but people were persistent in settling this new territory. The trail's most popular periods were during the 1840s and 1850s. In that time frame, Oregon Territory meant not only the state of Oregon but also Idaho, Washington, and some small parts of Wyoming that made up Oregon Territory. Wagon trains making the arduous journey across the Oregon Trail ranged in size from ten wagon trains to several hundred wagon trains. Before leaving, the people on board the train elected a leader and created some rules that had to be strictly followed by each individual traveler. The cost of undertaking this journey was staggering to families at the time as it cost between five hundred and one thousand dollars to outfit a family for the long journey. Most families needed to save for several years before they could afford all the equipment needed for The Oregon Trail. The absolute most important thing the pioneers needed was a good, strong wagon and a healthy team to drag it long distances without much rest. The wagons were usually sturdy farm wagons, ten feet long and four feet wide, with canvas stretched... paper in the middle... and lost their appeal to many pioneers looking for new places to settle, so Oregon The trail has become a thing of the past. For most people, the Oregon Trail wasn't worth it, and some even lost their lives trying to find a new life in this territory. Perhaps the most important item needed for the journey was a sturdy, well-built wagon and a healthy team of oxen to carry it. After the California Gold Rush, attacks and invasions by Indians on small wagon trains became more widespread, so the U.S. Army had to intervene. they needed to make a home for themselves after traveling all the way. After most of the land was settled, the Oregon Trail eventually faded away and became something most people forgot about, perhaps even, a thing of the past..