The Bozeman Trail: A Rush to Montana's Gold | PBS The Bozeman Trail was an offshoot of the Oregon Trail, a shortcut to the newly discovered gold fields of Montana Territory. Cutting through the heart of Indian country. It became a flash point for a clash of cultures that would explode into warfare, destruction and tragedy. First aired March, 2019. On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this film enlarges the American story to include the people and events long reduced to a footnote.