pack animals to move supplies. Typical pack trains would have 8–12 mules or oxen pulling 3 wagons weighing around 12,000 pounds. In April and May, the weather was more mild and grass would begin to grow as the long pack trains would begin their journeys north. Mule skinners typically rode the left-wheel mule and controlled the lead mule while bullwhackers walked alongside the slower animals, cracking their whips and yelling "Gee!" and "Haw!" The mule skinners and bullwhackers, although respected for their skill at driving the pack trains, were known as heavy drinkers and profane speakers. Prices of goods Farmers of the Salt Lake Valley developed a surplus of produce to help meet the demand of the gold rush towns, but as demand grew, farmers, merchants and freighters outstripped the supply. As the population grew in Montana, so did the demand for food like beans and fruit, as well as cloth and other goods. Flour was the most important staple that was transported along the Montana Trail as it was crucial to a healthy diet. Prices for flour and other goods fluctuated widely. Flour could be unsellable because it was too cheap, but four months later there could be no supply and a large demand. During the winter of 1863–1864, heavy snows caused a flour famine which resulted in the "Bread Riot" in Virginia City. Regardless, because of transportation and delivery costs, food was still very expensive. Bad weather and other transportation problems sometimes caused food shortages, and early snows cut off food supplies. Tolls Prices were also driven up by the costs of tolls. Tolls were required at many ferries, bridges and roads, but none of these tolls went toward maintaining the roads. Because of the disrepair of the roads, the journey took even longer. However, freighters and travelers had to use the tolls regardless because some of the most dangerous parts of the trail were manned by toll-owners. For example, the Snake River, which runs through Idaho, was very treacherous and scared many freighters and travelers. The expensive cost of tolls, along with the longer travel because of the lack of maintenance of the trail, contributed to higher costs of goods once they reached Montana. Freight companies Higher costs for food and other goods were also affected by the freight companies themselves which transported goods along the trail. The Diamond R Freighting Company, based in Virginia City, Montana,