Exploring traces of the Oregon Trail with my kids

California Hill is a well preserved section of the Oregon Trail on the Nebraska prairie. The historic area is on private land, but walking the area is allowed by the land owner through gate. Remnants of the trail exist as deep gouges, swales, and ruts in the ascending terrain.

Having travel from southern Texas two days earlier, where it was 106F, I was surprised by the excessive heat in Nebraska. After our hike up the hill and back, we were completely soaked with sweat and exhausted. It was 102!