The attraction of the California Trail was that it went directly to Sutter's Fort at what is now Sacramento. But the challenge was huge, as demonstrated by the Donner party.
They set out too late to get across the pass before the snows came. As a result, they had to overwinter at what is now called Donner Pass. They did not have supplies for this, nor equipment for surviving the bitter cold.
The survivors of the party were rescued next spring, but by this time many had died, all the animals were eaten, and possibly worse.
