In the jumping-off town, the newly formed wagon train looked for an experienced guide who knew the route.
No detailed road or trail maps existed. Each wagon train elected a leader called the wagon master. Most wagon trains left in late spring to get through the mountains before snow blocked the passes. They also needed to reach Oregon in time to build homes before winter came. They couldn’t leave much earlier than April or May. This was because grass had to be growing on the plains for their livestock to eat.
