Words: Look for these words in bold throughout the book.

GREAT AMERICAN DESERT: The name for the unexplored and uninhabited lands west of the Mississippi River during 

the mid - 19th Century.

LODE MINE: A mine used to reach a vein containing important quantities of metallic ore (gold) and filling a well-defined 

fissure in the rock.

SLUICE BOX: A long, inclined trough or launder with riffles in the bottom that provide a lodging place for heavy minerals 

(gold) in ore concentration. Used to seperate gold from other rock. 

CHIMNEY ROCK: A National Historic Site in Western Nebraska. Used as a landmark by the Oregon Trail pioneers on 

their journey West.

GOLD PANNING: A manual technique for sorting gold. Wide, shallow pans are filled with sand and gravel that may 

contain gold. Water is added and the pans are shaken, sorting the gold from the gravel and other material.

FUNGI: (plural for fungus) Organisms that lack chlorophyll including molds, rusts, mildews, mushrooms, and yeast.

LICHEN: A plant-like growth that is actually a result of a fungus and algae living together. It grows very slowly, lives for a 

long time, looks like moss or a crusty dry leaf and can grow on bare rock or soil.

MOSS: Small green plants that have hairlike structures called rhizoids instead of leaves, stems, and roots. These 

rhizoids grow into the soil and help the plants get water and minerals.

PICK AXE: A heavy iron tool with a wooden handle and a curved head pointed on both ends. This tool is used by miners 

to break rock.

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE: A series of mountain ridges extending from Alaska to Mexico that forms the watersheds of 

North America.

JUMP OFF TOWNS: Towns on the edge of the frontier where the pioneers outfitted and began their journey West.

SOUTH PASS: A mountain pass on the continental divide in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. The pass is located in a 

broad valley and provided the pioneers & their wagons with a level and easy path to cross the Rocky’s.

Public Lands

Belong to You!

The Bureau of Land Management BLM) is a federal government agency that takes care of more 

than 245 million acres of land. Most of these lands are in the western part of the United States. 

These lands are America’s public lands, and they belong to all Americans. These public lands are 

almost equal in area to all the land in the states of Texas and California put together.

The BLM manages public lands for many uses. The lands supply natural resources, such as coal, 

oil, natural gas, and other minerals. The lands provide habitats for plants and animals. People 

enjoy the big, open spaces on the lands. The lands also contain evidence of our country’s past, 

ranging from fossils to Indian artifacts to ghost towns.

Junior Explorers

BLM’s Junior Explorer program helps introduce young explorers like you to the lands and resources what the BLM manages. This “Pioneer Wagon Master Activity Book” focuses on nature 

and renewable natural resources around the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretative Center.
Welcome

 I’m glad you decided to join us! We’re going to have a lot of fun learning 

about history & the natural world at the National Historic Oregon Trail 

Interpretive Center. My Oregon Trail pioneer friends will tell you how to 

complete each activity. The vocabulary words to the left will help you complete 

the activities. If you have any other questions, staff at the Interpretive Center 

can give you a hand. Let’s go!

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is 

a special place. It was created in 1992 to provide an 

educational & interpretive examination of the Oregon 

Trail Experience. Historians come to this site every year 

to study both the Oregon Trail as well as local & natural 

history. As a Wagon Master at the Interpretive Center 

you can help by learning about our nation’s rich history, 

sharing your discoveries with family & friends, and leaving 

things in the Interpretive Center as you find them.

Steps to Becoming a Wagon Master:

1. Walk through the Interpretive Center & Trail System and read the exhibits 

and watch the videos. What two agencies joined to form the BLM?

___________________________________________________________

2. If you are 6-8 years old, complete 3 or more activities of your choice

If you are 9-12 years old, complete 5 or more activities of your choice

3. To receive an award, take your completed Junior Pioneer book to one of 

the Interpretive Center employees, or mail it to the address on the back of 

this book with your return address so we can mail your award to you.
Interpretive Center Scavenger Hunt

The Interpretive 

Center possesses a 

wealth of information 

just waiting to be 

discovered! Explore 

the Center and 

complete each 

question. The 

answers can be found 

in the displays or 

by asking one of the 

friendly staff.

Q: How many pioneers traveled the Oregon Trail? How 

long did it take?

 ____________________________________________

Q: Name three groups of people who came into the 

Oregon Country before the emigrants.

 ____________________________________________

Q: What mountain pass in Wyoming did the Oregon 

Trail pioneers use to cross the Continental Divide?

____________________________________________

Q: In what ways did Indians assist pioneers?

____________________________________________

Q: Name two “jumping off towns” the emigrants used 

to begin the Trail.

____________________________________________

Q: Give two good reasons to go to Oregon.

____________________________________________

Q: Where did the Oregon Trail end? Why was there still 

work to do once they reached their destination?

____________________________________________
Pioneer Math

2+2=4

3x4=12

5-4=1

+

During the long journey West the pioneers faced many challenges. How many miles 

should one travel in a day? How many days rations does one have? These were common 

questions the pioneers must answer correctly in order to survive the trip. Help your 

pioneer friends reach the promised land of Oregon by using “Pioneer Math” to answer the 

problems below.

You brought 400 pounds of bacon for the journey. Each person in your party gets 

20 pounds of bacon. How many people are in your party?

To this date approximately 3 1/2 million ounces of gold has been mined out of the 

hills of Baker County. At the current exchange rate (ask a staff member for the 

current gold exchange rate), how much money in dollars has been mined in Baker 

County?

+

The trip to Oregon is about 2,000 miles. You are currently at Fort Boise and are 

told you have 550 miles left to travel. How many miles have you traveled so far?

=

HORSE DONKEY =
Oregon Trail Word Hunt

Y G L M D D B B F E S F G H I

P A J H G D O L A F F U B R R

G I G O N E X O O U G D E H Q

K C O R Y E N M I H C U O X Z

A Q N N I K S O U T H P A S S

G Y P V E F N O G A W R E E N

D H Y O K E Y M W R K Y V X G

N I U H H F R I U B N C W T K

L U V B J O L N N C D E J K L

L L I H F F A T S G A L F W H

R Y K G D U K E O U G F H K F

U K G T R O W E L I H I Y P V

R Y U C W T J L Y R D R A O M

P H S C O R E G O N C I T Y H

H K G D R T R H P D R G J U S

FLAGSTAFF HILL

WAGON

OXEN

OREGON CITY

PIONEER

YOKE

SOUTH PASS

CHIMNEY ROCK

RIFLE

BUFFALO

Many pioneers 

heading West had never 

traveled far from their 

homes in the East. 

They found the “Great 

American Desert” to be an 

unexplored and dangerous 

place. Others saw it as the 

adventure of a lifetime.

These ten words are things 

the pioneers may have seen 

while traveling West. They 

may be hidden horizontally, 

vertically, diagonally, or 

backwards. Circle each 

word when you find it.
Exploring The West

The Oregon Trail did not just appear out of thin air. For 

thousands of years Native Americans were creating trails to 

reach summer and winter grounds across the West. In 1804 

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, as well as trappers and fur 

traders, used these routes & river passages to open up a path to 

the Pacific Ocean. The migrations to Oregon and California helped 

to connect many of these independent trails forming what we 

now know as the Oregon Trail. Even today we continue to use 

these routes, for example interstate 84 lies atop parts of the 

old Oregon Trail! On the map above draw the route of the Oregon 

Trail. Also mark the locations of Independence, Missouri as well 

as South Pass, and this Interpretive Center.
Tip-Toe Through the Crypto 

Finish

Trail

Head

There are many interesting hikes at the Interpretive Center which 

require hiking through desert landscapes covered with fragile, living 

soil crusts called cryptobiotic soil. Made up of fungi, moss and lichen, 

they resist erosion and hold moisture to help other plants grow. Scientists 

study cryptobiotic soils to understand their contribution to the desert environment. 

These crusts are easily damaged and can take decades to recover if stepped on. Try to hike 

on established trails or along animal trails to minimize damage to cryptobiotic soil. Before 

you head out on the trail, let’s see if we can find our way through the maze to the arch 

without stepping on any cryptobiotic soil. 
Animal Tracks

 mountain lion badger coyote

 black bear pronghorn antelope 

Biologists can tell where an animal has been and where it is going by studying animal tracks. 

Write the animal’s name near the matching tracks. Use the animal names below to help you 

complete the activity. Did you find any of these tracks while hiking our trails?
Connecting to the “Golden” Past

Since the discovery of Gold in Baker County in 1861 about 3 1/2 million ounces have 

been mined out of the surrounding hills. To this day there are still over 10,000 gold mining 

claims throughout the county. Across the countryside lode mines, sluice boxes, gold pans, 

and other mining equipment were used to extract this precious material. Mining towns with 

populations in the thousands literally sprung up over night. Sometimes they were abandoned 

just as quickly. Complete this “golden” crossword puzzle by writing the answers to the 

questions listed below. 

Across:

1. Uses gravity & ‘pounding’ to 

separate gold from other rock.

3. In 1861 gold was found here 

5 miles south of Baker City.

4. Gold is often found in these types of 

under-ground veins.

Down:

2. Gold sticks to this material.

5. A common mining hand tool used 

to crush rock.
Human History in Baker County

Baker City and the 

surrounding County are steeped 

in a rich historical tradition 

dating back to the Oregon Trail 

migrations & the discovery of 

gold in 1861. Pioneers, miners, 

& Native Americans all utilized 

this land and left their mark 

on the region. During summer 

Native Americas would utilize 

the lush Powder River Valley, 

while, in later years, miners 

would scour the landscape for 

gold. Look at the pictues below 

and identify each, then tell which 

group of people: the Oregon Trail 

Pioneers, Native Americans, or 

Miners would use these items. 
Leave No Trace

Then 

remember 

these when you’re 

out for 

a hike!

Draw 

a line from the 

activity on the left 

to the action you should 

take on the right.

Wow! 

I’m not finding 

a lot of evidence of 

careless people. But I 

think we can all do better!

Hiking in areas where 

there are cryptobiotic 

soils.

You finish a candy bar 

while on a hike and 

have only the wrapper 

left.

You’re going camping 

in an unfamiliar area.

You want to have a 

campfire.

A cute squirrel runs 

up to you and looks 

hungry.

You’re on a hike and 

you have to go to the 

bathroom.

You find a historic 

oxen shoe laying on 

the ground.

Pack out all your trash 

and throw it in a trash 

can when you get 

back.

Get maps, learn about 

the area’s weather, and 

have a backup plan in 

case of emergency.

Stay on trails or walk in 

washes when possible.

Leave it there for other 

people to see. Take a 

picture to remember it.

Bring a fire pan and 

pack out your ashes.

Use a ‘Wag Bag” or dig 

a cathole 6-8 inches 

deep, 200 feet away 

from water. Carry out 

your toilet paper. 

Don’t feed animals 

no matter how hungry 

they look.
Journal

Date __________Time _______

Weather __________________

Notes____________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

I saw____________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

I heard___________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_________________

I learned__________________

_______________________

_______________________

I hope you had 

a good time at 

the Interpretive 

Center today. Did 

you learn anything 

new? Did you go for 

a hike? Did you see 

any cool animals? 

Real pioneers keep 

journals while out 

in the field. Record 

today’s date, time, 

and weather. Then 

write about the 

things you did today.
Wagon Master Responsibilities

You’re almost there! By now you have probably learned a lot about different things that 

scientists & historians study at the Interpretive Center. Now it’s up to you to share your new 

knowledge with others. Sign the oath and memorize the Wagon Master responsibilities below. 

Your responsibilities as a Wagon Master for 

the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center include:

1. Never litter and help pick up any litter you see while you at the

 Interpretive Center.

2. Always stay on trails so you don’t step on cryptobiotic soil crust.

3. Never touch, write, or climb on fragile exhibits. 

4. Never chase animals, pick flowers, collect rocks or take anything from

 the Interpretive Center (except great pictures).

5. Help your family, friends and other visitors take care of the National Historic 

 Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Wagon Master Pledge

I _____________________________________, as a 

Wagon Master, do promise to uphold the principles of 

science & history and to use my newly acquired skills and 

knowledge to protect the environment & truth to the best of 

my abilities for the rest of my life.

__________________________ ___________

Signature Date
This is to certify that

__________________________

has completed the 

National Historic Oregon Trail 

Interpretive Center 

Junior Pioneer Book 

and is hearby designated a

in good standing with 

the Bureau of Land Managment

________________________

Official Signature Date
National Historic

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

22267 Highway 86

PO Box 987

Baker City, OR, 97814

(541)523-1843

oregontrail.blm.gov BLM/OR/WA/GI-13/029+4700 (13-0174)