The spelling of the word "was the trail" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is /w/, which is a voiced labiovelar approximant. The next sound is /ɒ/, which is an open back rounded vowel. The third sound is /z/, which is a voiced alveolar fricative. The fourth sound is /ð/, which is a voiced dental fricative. The fifth sound is /i/, which is a close front unrounded vowel. Finally, the last sound is /treɪl/, which is pronounced as /treɪl/. Overall, the word "was the trail" can be spelled as "w-ɒ-z ð-i treɪl".