6. The Route and Conditions
The Trail of Tears spanned over 1,000 miles across rugged mountains, dense forests, and swollen rivers. Those forced to march endured scorching summers and bitterly cold winters without adequate shelter or clothing. Starvation, exposure, and disease were constant threats, contributing to staggering mortality rates—especially among children and the elderly. The National Park Service documents how these unforgiving conditions turned the journey into a relentless ordeal of suffering and loss for thousands.
