Who traveled the Old Spanish Trail?
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Who traveled the Old Spanish Trail?
Antonio Armijo
A route connecting Los Angeles and Santa Fe was finally established in 1829. Antonio Armijo, a Mexican merchant and trader, led 60 men and 100 mules across the wide expanse of the Colorado Plateau and forged a route through the Mojave Desert on his way into Southern California.
Why did people travel on the Old Spanish Trail?
The Old Spanish Trail has been called the most arduous and difficult trail in the United States. With Native American historical roots, the trail was used by the adventurous and opportunists bringing textiles from Santa Fe to trade for mules and horses in Los Angeles beginning in the early 1800s.
How long did it take to travel the Old Spanish Trail?
A one-way journey might take from 1 ½ to 3 months. As numerous traders made the long trek, several main routes and alternates were developed over the years, including a route following the Colorado River to Needles, California, which became the preferred route for many.
What were the hardships of the Old Spanish Trail?
Traveling 12 – 15 miles per day, a round trip would take from 180 – 225 days, assuming that nothing went wrong along the way. The journey on the trail was difficult. Travelers had to deal with water issues – both the lack of it for drinking and the over-abundance of it for river crossings.
What is the Old Spanish National Historic Trail?
The Old Spanish National Historic Trail is known for being the most laborious route traveled by the 19th century wayfarers and traders. Spanning almost 2700 miles, it is known as the large-scale, deformed route that journeys through six states, namely New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California.
How did the mules travel on the Old Spanish Trail?
Mules loaded with goods had to scramble up narrow paths, swim across creeks, and at times drag their handlers across roaring rivers. Despite the long, treacherous journey, the Old Spanish Trail remained an extraordinarily popular trade route until the Mexican-American War in 1848.
What is the Armijo route of the Old Spanish Trail?
The Armijo Route of the Old Spanish Trail was established by an expedition led by Antonio Armijo in 1829-1830. Leaving on November 7, 1829 Armijo’s expedition traveled a route northwest and west of Santa Fe from Abiquiu, following the Chama River and the Puerco River, and he crossed to the amazing San Juan River basin.
How many miles long was the trail to the Pacific?
Approximately 700 mi (1,100 km) long, the trail ran through areas of high mountains, arid deserts, and deep canyons. It is considered one of the most arduous of all trade routes ever established in the United States. Explored, in part, by Spanish explorers as early as the late 16th century,…