If you want to know what it was like to travel this legendary trail, there\u2019s only one way: get on a horse and follow all 2,000 miles of it. That\u2019s what writer Will Grant did, retracing the route from Missouri to California over four and half months. He cooked his own meals and never knew where he\u2019d end up camping on a given night. It was a grueling feat of endurance and logistical fortitude, but it gave him exactly what he was after\u2014the chance to truly understand the people, land, and history of the American West.\nThe Outside Podcast is made possible by Outside+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at outsideonline.com/podplus.