After fording the South Platte River at California Crossing, emigrants on the Oregon Trail faced California Hill, a climb of about 240 feet in a mile and a half and the first major hill on the trail. Wagons used it from 1841 to 1860 before heading northwest across the tableland to Windlass Hill and Ash Hollow. Deep ruts still cut into the steep parts of the slope, and grassy swales mark the rest. The roughly 140-acre site, on the National Register since 1974, was given through the Oregon-California Trails Association by Malcolm E. Smith Jr. in memory of trail historian Irene D. Paden.

Visiting: the historical marker is on the north side of U.S. 30 about 4.5 miles west of Brule; the ruts are visible about two-thirds of a mile north-northwest of it. There is no fee and no facilities.

Information: Keith County Visitors Center, 119 E. 2nd St., Ogallala; 800-658-4390.