Hard Road West: History and Geology along the Gold Rush Trail

The dramatic journeys of the 19th century Gold Rush come to life in this geologist's tour of the American West and the events that shaped the land.

In 1848, news of the discovery of gold in California triggered an enormous wave of emigration toward the Pacific. The dramatic terrain these settlers crossed is so familiar to us now that it is hard to imagine how frightening—even godforsaken—its sheer rock faces and barren deserts once seemed to them. Hard Road West brings their perspective...