What decision did the donner family make that end up getting them stranded in the America the story of us westward?

The Donner family made the fateful decision to take a shortcut known as the Hastings Cutoff while traveling west to California in 1846. This route, which was supposed to save time, proved to be treacherous and longer than anticipated. As a result, they became trapped by heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Their poor choice, compounded by harsh winter conditions, ultimately led to their tragic plight and struggle for survival.