Two men with questionable pasts, Glyn McLyntock (James Stewart, The Rare Breed) and his friend Cole (Arthur Kennedy, Bright Victory), guide a band of pioneers from Missouri over the Oregon Trail to a new life in the Columbia River Basin. As winter nears they are cheated out of their supplies and McLyntock cross rivers, climb mountains and out-guns greedy hijackers to ensure delivery of the goods. Along the way, he is double-crossed by Cole and assisted by handsome San Francisco gambler, Trey Wilson (Rock Hudson, Gun Fury) and the beautiful Laura Baile (Julie Adams, Crooked River).