Which rivers did the Mormon Trail follow?

Platte & Sweetwater Rivers

The Mormon pioneers began their travel west to Salt Lake City in the spring of each year. Water was a main concern for the pioneers because they needed water to drink and for their animals. During the winter they would cross Iowa to a location near Omaha, Neb. and stay for the winter.

In the spring they would travel along the north side of the Platte River into Wyoming and stop at Laramie for supplies. They would then follow the Platte River until it came to an end, cross the mountain range, and then follow the Sweetwater River in Wyoming to South Pass. Then they would turn southward to Fort Bridger, Wyoming and into the Salt Lake Valley.