The Forty Mile Desert, the dreaded section of the California Emigrant Trail

The Forty Mile Desert was the California Gold Rush name given to Nevada's Lahontan Valley region east of Fernley. In 1843, the Walker-Chilles party became the first wagon train to use this settlement route, with the heaviest use occurring between 1849-1869. Regardless of the desert's known dangers, this became the accepted trail to the two main routes to California - the Carson River and Truckee River trails. 

Starvation and thirst preyed upon people and animals every mile of this trail. A survey made in 1850 illustrated appalling statistics - 1,061 dead mules, 5,000 dead horses, 3,750 dead cattle, and 950 graves.