<P> The Platte River and the North Platte River in the future states of Nebraska and Wyoming typically had many channels and islands and were too shallow, crooked, muddy and unpredictable for travel even by canoe . The Platte as it pursued its braided paths to the Missouri River was "too thin to plow and too thick to drink". While unusable for transport, the Platte River and North Platte River valleys provided an easily passable wagon corridor going almost due west with access to water, grass, buffalo, and buffalo chips for fuel . The trails gradually got rougher as it progressed up the North Platte . There were trails on both sides of the muddy rivers . The Platte was about 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and 2 to 60 inches (5.1 to 152.4 cm) deep . The water was silty and bad tasting but it could be used if no other water was available . Letting it sit in a bucket for an hour or so or stirring in a 1 / 4 cup of cornmeal allowed most of the silt to settle out . Those traveling south of the Platte crossed the South Platte River with its muddy and treacherous crossings using one of about three ferries (in dry years it could sometimes be forded without a ferry) before continuing up the North Platte River valley to Fort Laramie in present - day Wyoming . After crossing over the South Platte the travelers encountered Ash Hollow with its steep descent down Windlass Hill . </P> <P> In the spring in Nebraska and Wyoming the travelers often encountered fierce wind, rain and lightning storms . Until about 1870 travelers encountered hundreds of thousands of bison migrating through Nebraska on both sides of the Platte River, and most travelers killed several for fresh meat and to build up their supplies of dried jerky for the rest of the journey . The prairie grass in many places was several feet high with only the hat of a traveler on horseback showing as they passed through the prairie grass . In many years the Indians fired much of the dry grass on the prairie every fall so the only trees or bushes available for firewood were on islands in the Platte river . Travelers gathered and ignited dried buffalo chips to cook their meals . These burned fast in a breeze, and it could take two or more bushels of chips to get one meal prepared . Those traveling south of the Platte crossed the South Platte fork at one of about three ferries (in dry years it could be forded without a ferry) before continuing up the North Platte River valley into present - day Wyoming heading to Fort Laramie . Before 1852 those on the north side of the Platte crossed the North Platte to the south side at Fort Laramie . After 1852 they used Child's Cutoff to stay on the north side to about the present day town of Casper, Wyoming, where they crossed over to the south side . </P> <P> Notable landmarks in Nebraska include Courthouse and Jail Rocks, Chimney Rock, Scotts Bluff, and Ash Hollow State Historical Park . </P> <P> Today much of the Oregon Trail follows roughly along Interstate 80 from Wyoming to Grand Island, Nebraska . From there U.S. Highway 30 which follows the Platte River is a better approximate path for those traveling the north side of the Platte . The National Park Service (NPS) gives traveling advice for those who want to follow other branches of the trail . </P>

Where does the oregon trail start and finish