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The Party Tries to Shelter Themselves
The group builds cabins and makeshift shelters out of their limited supplies. They huddle together to try to retain heat. -
Travel Begins
The wagon train begins their journey from Springfield Illinois to California. They carry with them "The Emigrants' Guide to Oregon and California" by Landsford Hastings which advertises a shortcut. -
Train Re-stocks
The train heads west from Independence Missouri. Additional people add on to the group which now adds to about 87. -
Group reaches Fort Laramie
The group reaches Fort Laramie only a week behind schedule. Group is warned not to take Hastings Route as it was barely passable by foot. -
Receive letter form Hastings
The train reaches the Continental Divide. They receive a letter from Hastings stating that he will meet them and lead them to the cutoff. -
The Party Splits Up
The group reaches The Little Sandy River where the trail splits into two routes. The majority take the safer route but a group favoring the shortcut elect to take the Hastings cutoff. -
The Group Reaches Fort Bridger
George Donner (the elected captain) and the split off group arrive at Fort Bridger but Hastings has already departed. They are assured that they should follow and catch up. -
Party leaves Fort Bridger
The party leaves Fort Bridger now numbering about 74. They make good progress at 10 to 12 miles a day. -
Party Chooses to Try New Trail
The group reaches the Weber River and find a note telling them not to follow Hastings down the canyon and instead take a different trail through the salt basin. An additional family joins making the party 87 people and 23 wagons. They decide to try the new trail as opposed to backtracking. -
They Begin to cross the Wasatch Mountains
The party begins to travel through the Wasatch Mountains. They are lucky to travel 2 miles a day. -
Travel Through the Salt Lake Desert.
The group travel through the Salt Lake Desert. They loose 32 oxen and many wagons as well as food and water supply. -
Men Sent Ahead for Supplies
William McCutcheon and Charles Stanton are sent ahead to Sutter's Fort to bring back supplies as the group reaches the Humboldt River. The group has finally reached the original shortcut but they have traveled 125 extra miles. -
A Murder in the Group
At Iron Point, James Reed murders John Snyder who was treating the oxen harshly. He is banished from the group. -
The Group Walks to Spare Remaining Animals
The party travels along the Humboldt River. The group runs low on pack animals and everyone who can is forced to walk. A Belgian named Hardcoop is left to die when he can no longer walk. -
Oxen Attacked
Piute Indians attack the group's oxen with poison tipped arrows further depleting their supply of pack animals. -
Group Given Necessary Supplies but Stop to Rest
The group reaches the gateway to Sierra Nevada with no food supplies remaining but Charles Stanton meets them with the needed supplies. They decide to rest for five days while 50 miles from the summit. -
Reed Arrives at Sutter's Fort
James Reed meets William McCutchen at Sutter's Fort. They make plans to go back for their families. -
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The Party Becomes Trapped
Donner's wagon axel is broken causing 22 people to stay behind. Donner cuts his hand and further delays the group. The other part of group travels to "Donner's Lake" but snow starts to fall. Unsuccessful attempts are made to cross the summit. Cabins are constructed and makeshift shelters are made. -
Final Oxen Killed
Those at Donner Lake kill the last of their Oxen for food. Those attempting a rescue believe that the party will have enough food to last several months. Many other animals were lost in the snow. A few days later the final cattle are killed. The people begin to eat twigs, hides, bones and bark. Hunting is unsuccessful. -
Death Due to Malnutrition
Balis Williams dies of malnutrition. The group realizes something must be done -
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First Cannibalism
A group (5 men, 9 women, 1 child) set out on snowshoe to reach Sutter's Fort and get help. They run out of food by day 6 and travel 3 days with no food. Charles Stanton is left behind. The party is caught in a blizzard and many die. The others in desperation resort to cannibalism. Only 2 men survive and all 5 women survive. Plans are made to rescue the stranded party. -
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1st Rescue Party
The first rescue party of 7 men leaves Johnson's ranch. They find 12 dead and 48 remaining. They leave with 23 people but 2 more children die traveling back. Limited supplies are brought in because pack animals can not travel the pass. -
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2nd Rescue Party
A second rescue party led by James Reed first finds evidence of cannibalism at the Lake. The next day they find the Donner group at Alder Creek also resorted to cannibalism. The rescue group leaves with17 people. They are caught in a blizzard and become known as "the starved camp." -
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3rd Rescue Party
William Eddy and William Foster lead a party that reaches the starved camp. The 3 of the bodies including Isaac Donner are cannibalized. At Alder Creek George Donner is found dying from an infection in his hand. His wife Tamzene refuses to leave him and sends her daughters out without her. The party leaves with 4 more members and leaves behind those too sick. People are left to care for the Donners but abandon them to go back. -
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4th Rescue Party
The party sets out but is trapped by a snowstorm. When they reach the camps, they find Louis Keseberg alive and surrounded by the remains of all the others. He is the final member of the party to survive and make it to Sutter's Fort.