The 40 mile desert was the most feared stretch of travel for the pioneers in covered wagons traveling the California Emigrant Trail, more so even than the Sierra. This waterless "Dry Drive" extended from the end of the Humbolt river at the Humbolt Sink to the sparkling waters of the Truckee River East of present day Reno. Wagon trains typically took 2-3 days to cross, carrying water, grass for their oxen, and pulling their wagons across the shrubby desert and the blindingly white salt flats.