Eight years after Mexico gained independence from Spain (1829), New Mexican traders traveled to establish new and commercial relations with frontier settlements in California. These traders carried local products in exchange for mules and horses, including blankets, ponchos, serapes, socks, hides (gamuzas, buffalo, bear and beaver skins).

During the winter of 1829-1830, Antonio Armijo led the first trade caravan of 60 men and 100 pack mules from Abiquiú  to Mission San Gabriel in California, east of Los Angeles. It took them about 12 weeks to reach California and 6 weeks to return.   

Click here for more information about the OLD SPANISH TRAIL