Route Across the Rocky Mountains gives an edited version of the actual events of two nineteenth century pioneers, Overton Johnson and William H. Winter, exploring westward expansion. The book provides a colorful tale of the men's journey, as well as their two years spent in the West. Like other settlers, they took the trip for economic opportunity and adventure. They tell of their trials, tribulations, triumphs, including the death of twelve of their fellow travelers, one of which was a six-year-old crushed by a wagon wheel. During their trek, they encountered and documented the diverse territories of Indian, American, English, and California settlements.

Contributions by: David M. Hovde, Angela Firkus