THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (77HIS BOOK is printed from photographic plates of the Original Copy of this GUIDE, which was printed in St. Louis in 1848. This original copy is on file in the HISTORIAN'S OF- FICE Library. (Signed) A. WILLIAM LUND Assistant Historian Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' EMIGRANTS' GUIDE: TABLE OF DISTANCES, SHOWING ALL THE SPRINGS, CRFEKS, RIVERS, HILLS, MOUNTAINS, CAMPING PL .CES, AND ALL OTHER NOTABLE PLACES, FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS, TO THE VALLEY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE. ALSO, THE LATITUDES, LONGITUDES AND ALTITUDES OF THE PROMINENT POINTS ON THE ROUTE. TOGETHER WITH REMARKS ON THE NATURE OF THE LAND, TIMBER, GRASS, &c. THE WHOLE ROUTE HAVING BEEN CAREFULLY MEASURED BY A ROADOME- TER, AND THE DISTANCE FROM POINT TO POINT, IN ENGLISH MILES, ACCURATELY SHOWN. BY W. CLAYTON. ST. LOUIS: MO. REPUBLICAN STEAM POWER PRESS— CHAMBERS & KNAPP, 1848. OoPV Eight secured, by W. Clatto5, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Missouri. PREFACE. When the author first compiled tlie following work, it was not with a design to publish it, although well aware of the advantages which emigrants, traveling to the Valley of tue Gheat Salt Lake, would continually realize by having it in their possession. However, there were so many who ap- plied for copies of it — and the labor of writing a copy being considerable, as well as requiring much time — it was con- cluded to publish it in its present form, by which means it can be afforded at a price which will bring it within reach of Any person wishing to have it. Many works have been published, and maps exhibited for the instruction of emigrants, but none which ever pretended to set forth tlie particulars contained in this work, so far as regards the route from Council Bluffs to the Great Salt Lake. The distances from point to point are ehown as near as a Jloadomder can measure ; and by this means the traveler can know, each day, the kind of country lying before him, and how far he must go in order to find a suitable place to camp at night. Emigrants have lost many of) their teams in the neighbor- hood of the AUiali lakes, in consequence of not knowing the distance from any one of these lakes to good water. By pay- ing attention to the remarks in tliis work, a person need run 710 risk, inasmuch as all the Alkali lakes, which are near the road, are mentioned — and, also, the places where an encamp- ment can be formed with safety. The author feels a delicacy in saying much in favor of the " Guide,'' but is well aware that, when its merits have been tested by experience, no person will repent of having pur- chased it. It is, therefore, submitted cheerfully to the con- sideration of an intelligent public. St. Louis, Mo., \3(h Much, 1848. 1205217 AUTHOR. EXPLANATION. In the following table, the large fype shows the prominent points and places which will natumlly be noticed by the emi- grant. The first column of figures shows the distance from point to point, in English miles. The second column of figures shows the total distance of each point to Winter Quarters ; and the. /AfrtZ column, the total distance of each point to the Temple Block, in the City of the Gbeat Salt Lake. As, for example : How far is it from Winter Quarters to Pappea? Answer, (page' 5, second line) 18 miles. How far from Pappea to the Elk Horn river ? Answer, (page .5, second and third lines) 9 miles, &c. Again : How far is it from Raw Hide Creek to Fort John ? Answer, (page 11, last line) 12 miles. How far is Fort John from Winter Quarters ? Answer, (p. 12, first line) 522 miles. How far is Fort John from tlie City of the Great Salt Lake ? Answer, (p. 12, third column of figures) 509 miles. The small type, in this table, contains the various renidrks touching the nature of the road, lands, and its adaptation for camping purposes, &c. For example : What is said concerning the " La Bonte river?" Page 13, ticeond line. Answer. '* It is a good place to camp — being plenty of tim- ber, grass and water" — the necessaries for camping purposes, dtld consequently can be depended on. But, if thought advisa- ble to go a little further, " there is a good camping place a mile further," consequently you have choice of the two good places, within one mile of each oilier. Wliat is said of a branch of the La. Bonte? Page 13, third line. Answer. " Doubtful about water ;" consequently not safe to depend on far a camp ground. It is also said that the " banks are steep," which shows that it is not very good to cross, &c. EMIGRANTS' GUIDE. PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DiaT. miles. Kbom W Qk3 inilcB. l-'BOM lofGSL miles. Winter Quarters, Lat. 41° 18' 53" The lofid good, but very crocked, followinc the ridee» find pasting over a coutinual succcseion of hills and hoi lows. Pappea, ten feet wide, high banks. Some timber on the crcpk, but it is dilVicult to water teoms. Alter thia, the road ie crooked and uneven to the Kll: Horn. Elk Horn, nine rods wide, three feet deep. Current r.ither iwift, and not very pleasant to ferry. Plenty of timber on its banks. (Sec Note 1.) Creek, ten feet wide, steep banks. This creek has a good bridge over it, but little timber on the banks. There Is a high post, erected near the bridge, for a guide lo it. Platte river and Liberty Pole. Plenty of limber, but you will probably have to go to the river lor water — distance about a quarter of n mile The nearest and best road to water is round the east pomt ot the timber. Small Lake (narrow) south side the road. No timb.r on the Lake. Circular Lake, or pond, close to the road, (south.) - - - - - No timber. Jn the nciL-hborliood of thiF, the i-oad runs alongside a number of email lakes, or ponds, lui two miles ; but there is little timbc;r ni-ar thcin. R. R. and T., road joins the river, Lat. 4V 27' 5" This is a point where a branch of the river nui^ round nn iBla.Td. on which is plenty of timber. Not niucl water in the channel, but plenty for camping purposes. Indian Grave, north side the road. This is a large pile of earth, about eighty yards north of the road R. R. and T., road joins the river. Plenty of timber and water, without leaving the road Shell creek, 12 feet j^v^de, three feet deep. This creek is brid:ied, and n few rods lower is a placr ti ford Plenty of timber on it. After this ynu will probw bly find no water for tweWe miles, without turning con- siderably from the road. Small lake, south side of the road. Plenty of water in tho Spring scay takinq; a south. west course from this creek, you would strike Wood rivCrsi.-c oreight miles above the old croesiiig place. And thence crossing to the riatto, by a course a little west of south, I'dC road may be nhortcned at least live milca. Dry creek. --.._- " << . . - - . Main Plallc river. . - - - You do not come within two miles of the river, until Wi arrive at Wood river. ood river, 12 feet wide, one foot deep. Plenty of timber, and a good place to camp. li:inkf dfisccndin^r, ftoi-p, and soimi soli — but good goini; out 'I'lie road now generally ruus from one to two miles distant l'r<«ra the main PUtte. Road descends to lower land. The road now runs near the limber for two miles The grass is high, and a good chuncc to camp, without turning otf the road. Road ascends to higlicr land. Vou will pro!):i!)ly have to turn olT the road some, foi the next cnmiiiitg i)laee. ravine — steep descent. Deep Two and a quarter miles beyond this, is a good plac. to cnnip, there b'iingiilenly of grass and water, on a low bimch, iilinut twiMity rods south of the road. There is, bow ever, no limber but willow. Deep dry creek. •- - - - No timber on it. Creek or slough, soulli side the road. - Plenty of willows and grass, but doubtlul for water. Deep, dry creek, _ _ _ - Tlio h'ad of (Jiaiid Iiland is about opposite to thic creek, but the road now runs SO far from liio river, wc could not asccmln c.\aclly. 5} I 127 904 127. G 5} 18 6^ 11 22^ 4i 217.] 127^ 1332 139i 157i 158.^ 159 165^ 1G9:\ 183:' lS5i 208 208i 211.? 213'. TROMIKENT POINTS AND REMARKS. £lm creek. - - - - i - Deep banks, plenty of timber, but no water, October 9, 1847. Iload leaves the river near timber. This is a pretty good camping place. Buffalo creek, south side the road. A wide creek, with deep banks, but no tiaibcr ex- cept a few willow buslips. 'I'he road runs alongside this creek for three and a hitU' miles. Crossing of Buffalo creek. - - - R. and R., road runs near the river. Pretty good clinnce to camp. R. and R., road runs near the river. Pldnty of bufialogi-ass, and short prairie-grass. Plenty of timber on an island, close by. yVillow Lake, south of the road. - Good placo to water teams, but no timber for camp ing purposes. Ptah Lake, south of the road. The lake is long and very crooked. About a mile \iei foro you arrive at it, the road runs near the river a little fiece, then leaves it again. )eep, dry creek. _ - _ - Low, sandy bluffs, extending to the river. R. and R. near the Sandy Bluffs : Latitude 4r0'47". . - . . After leaving this plnce, the road leaves the river, and runs near the foot of the bluffs, to avoid a bad swamp. You will not strike the river for sixteen miles, but will have no ditflculty in finding feed and water. Skunk creek, six feet wide. Crossing of Skunk creek. - - - Banks some soft, but not difficult. No timber. Lake or marsh, south of the road. Lake, south of the road. - - - Plenty of grass and water, but no timboi' nearer than five or six miles. Good spring of cold water. - - - At the foot of the blufts, north of the road, and at the head of tho Pawnee swamps. Low, sandy bluffs. - - - - This is opposite to the junction of the north and south fbrks of Platte river. Lat. 41° 7' 44" ; Long. 100° 47' 13" ; Altitude, 2,685 feet. Carrion creek, 10 feet wide, one foot deep. Good place for grass, but no timber near. R. R, and T., road, river and timber. - Good place to camp. Last timber on north side the river. You will find no more timber on the north side the river for two hundred railtfs, except one lone tiee. Youi only dependence lor fuel wiil be buffalo chips and drill wood. Wide, deep creek. - - - - Plenty of water. October 4, 1847. The banks are high but not bad to cross. H 221 m 2273 i 228^ 3 7. 2311 239i 5i 244^ 7 25U 11 259i 2i 4 2613 2753 3 2783 2 5 2803 286^ 1 1. 287i 2883 4i 293 u 294i 31 2973 43 302i 33 306^ 21 308i PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DiST. IwQbs. mike. I miles. hrom CofGSL inilcB. R. R. and lake, road and river near a bayou. Oppoait"? to thia placo arc several lalanda, covered with willow buahea, which will answer for fuel, and there Ib little difficulty Id gettiog to it. Black mud creek. - . - - Plenty of water. October 3, 1847, but little feed for teaina. R. and R., road joins the river. - After this, the road again leaves the river, until you arrive at the north lilulT |'ork. Road good, but poor feed. Small creek. - - - - - Steep banks, hut very little water. North Bluff Fork, 6 rods wide, 2 feet deep. Swift current, muddy water, low banks, quick-eand bottom, but not bad to cross. Poor place for grass. Sandy Bluffs, east foot. - - _ The road over these bluffs is very crooked, but not bad. If a road cun be made up the bed of the river, it would save at least two miles travel. Sandy Bluffs, west foot. - - _ By following the foot of the bluffs, after this, the road may be shortrncd at Icaet a mile, and be equally as good a road ns to follow the river. 2d. Sandy Bluffs, east foot. - - - These bluft's are hard on teams, being mostly soft eand 2d. Sandy Bluffs, west foot. Bluff Creek, 4 feet wide, 1 foot deep. - After this, the ro.id maybe made considerably shorter, by lollowine tli<" foot of the bluffs. 3d. Sandy Bluffs, east foot. - - - These bluffs arc sandy, and heavy on teams. Near thr west fide you will lind several steep places to descend, but not difficult, the sand being soft. Small creek, running between the bluff's. Many small Lizards on the sandy places, but they ap- pear to be perfectly harniloss. Sandy Bluffs, west foot. - - - Bluff Spring and small creek 200 yards, and one a quarter of a mile. - In the neighborhood of these creeks the land i' ewampy and solt. The road was made close to the blulVr. to avoid the swamps Petite creek, 4 feet wide, 9 inches deep. Plenty of water, some muddy, October 1, 1617. i^.iti tude 41= 12' 50 '. Picanninni creek, 3 feet wide. Good spring water, and plentiful, October 1. 18-17. Goose creek, 30 feet wide, 3 inches deep. After crosfing tliifi, you pass over n low range o! bluffs, very sandy, but only a qurirtcr ot n milf wide : ih- 1, you descend on the bottom land again, but will lind it aoli end fljiringy. Small spring creek. . - - - ^ ..ny sprinu's of cold water at the foot of the blulVs. Small creek, 4 feet wide. - - - Elcnty of clear cold water, October 1, lS-17. a 309ji 721i 2 2 Sh 3d U 4i H 3111 3133 317i 3201 322i 32GI 3303 332 332-i 338^ 3383 3403 341 342 343^ 344 345i 346J 10 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DiST. tn>lo9 Krom WQrs. miles. Duck-weed creek, 10 feet wide. - Abundhncc of c-ood, cold sprins water, Oct. I, 1847. Shoal stream, 3 leet wide. - - - Dry, October 1, 1847. Rattlesnake creek, 20 feet wide, I5 ft. deep, Swift currpnt, sandy bottom, but not bad to cross. Cedar Bluffs. On\the south side the river. Lat. IP 13' 44" Loog 101° 5-2' Creek, six feet wide. - - - - Water plenty, September 30, 1847. Land,{ii this neigh- 1'orhood, sandy. Creek, four feet wide. - . - Plenty of water, September 30, 1347. Crooked Creek, five feet wide. - Plenty of water. September 30, 1847. Carap Creek, eight feet wide. Two creeks here, about the same size, but a few rodt apart— water cold and plenty, September 30, 1647. Nc doubt they rise from springs. Creek, three feet wide. - - - Plenty of water. May 20, but dry, September 30, 1647 Pond Creek, four feet wide. Dry, Scptembor 30, near the river, but further north rianv ponds and tall crass. Wolf Creek, 20 feet wide. - At the east foot of Sandy Bluffs, which arc bad to cro.^s, you will probably have to double teams, if heavy loadcil. Sandy Bluffs, west foot. - - - Two hundred yard further, is a creek five feet wide. Watch Creek, 8 feet wide, and 2 feet deep. Aftor thi?, the road runs pretty near the river baaks, to avoid seme swamps near the blufis. *' Lone Tree," north side the river. About three hundred yards south from the road. Ash Hollow, south side the river. So jiamed from a grove of Ash timber growing on it. It occupies a space of about fifteen or twenty acres, and in surrourdt'd bv hish blutts. Castle Creek, 6 rods wide, 2 feet deep. Swift current, quick-sand bottom, water muddy. Low bank?, but not cood lo cross, on account of quick-sands. Castle Bluffs, south side the river. Yoii cross no more creeks of water, until you arrive at Crab creek, twenty-five and a half miles^om here. The road cood, except in one place, where you travel three-fourths of a mile over sand. Sand Hill creek, 12 feet wide, south side the road. - . - - - Kear some sandy mounds, on the north side the road Creek or slough. - - - - Dry. Creek or slough. Dry. Sandy Bluffs, east foot. - - - X sm 2 3482 31 352a n 354 5 359 h 359^ i 359^ 4 363a 4 367a i 368 n 369^ 5 370^ 31 3735 4^ 878 23 380a 3 383a 4^ 388 3 388a n 390i 71 3971 3 4001 11 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DiST. tnilca. From WOrs. miles. I'rom CofGSL miles. Sandy Bluffs, west foot. - - - Dry creek. - - - - _ Dry do. _ - - - . Dry creek, 30 feet wide. - - - The road runs near the river, from hero to Crab creek Crab Creek, 20 feet wide, very shoal. - Two miles further you will aee some high bluffs on the right. By ascending one of the highest you will aee Ohimney Rock, to the west. Small lake, south of the road. fJood chnnce to camp, without turning from the road Cobble Hills, east foot. - - . You cross three dry creeks before you arrive here and then you travel over another range of sandy bluffs — ascent prcttv Ptcep, but not very sandy. Cobble Hills, west foot. After you descend on the low land, you will find it mostly sandy for ten miles, and in some places very heavy drawing. "Ancient Bluff Ruins," north side the road. Latitude 41° 33' 3". - - - Resembling the ruins of ancient castles, fortifications, &c. ; but visitors must be cautious, on account of the many rattle-snakrs lurking round, and concealed in tlie clefts of ihfl bluffs. R. and R., road joins the river. - Good pl,ii;o to camp. After this, the road runs near the river, until you arrive at the next low eandy ridges. Low sandy bluffs, cast foot. Low sandy bluffs, west foot. Aftrr this, the land for several miles, is soft in wel wcTtbrr, but good traveling in dry weather. <' Chimney Rock," (meridian) south side the river. - - - - - Tlic higher Kind now begins to be sandy and barren. Many Prickly-pear.s wnd Wild .Sage, which continue mostly throuah tlio remriindor of the journey. Scott's Bluffs, (raer.) south side the river. The road here in near enough to the river to camp Lat. of mori.lian. 41'= .'",0' 52". ; Long. 10 P 20'. Spring Creek, 10 feet wide, 8 inches deep. South of the road. You do not cross it, but travel hall n mile alonijiide. Good water, and many trout in it. R, and R., road runs near the river. Good chance to ramp. Low sandy bluffs, north side the road. - You travel at the foot of these bluffs, but will find the road Hfindy and hcnvy on teams. Creek, about 200 yards south of road. - By ascending one of the highest bluffs near, you have .1 view of " Liiramie I'eak" in the Black Hills. Timber, north side the river. Road here about a quarter of a mile from the rivi^r — ftfter this, generally from one to two miles distant. The road, to Lnramic. very sandy. " Raw Hide" creek, 1 rod wide. : I'lenty of water, Juno 1st, but dry, Sept. 15, 1847. 4 40U 401i 402^ 406^ 3 409i n 410^ 5 415^ 2^ 4175 H 419 lOi 429^ 7A 1 437 438 14^ 452^ m 472 4 476 12^ 488^ 2} 49U 2 493^ lU 5043 5^ 510 12 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DiST. iniles from W Qr3. miles. From CofCTSL miles. "Fort John" or Laramie lord. - The fort Inya about one tind a half m'.les wcft from the river. The ford is good in low water. River 108 yarde wide. (See Note 3.) Steep hill to descend. - - . The descent lieini? over rock, and very steep, malie^ it dangerous to wagons, but it is not lengthy. Steep hill to ascend and descend. ' In traTclino: over this hill, you will find the road rocky In places, and about half way over there is a sudden turn In the road over rough rocks, which is dangerous to wag one, if care is not taken. Road leaves the river. - - . At this point, the road bends to the south-west, leaving the river. You will not come to the river banks again for eighty miles. " Warm Springs," Lat. 42° 15' 6". - This is a very strong ppring of clear water, but it is warmer than river water, ot oil seasons of the year Very sleep bluff, half a mile up. - Before arriving at this, you pass through a narrow ra- vine, between blutfs. The ascent is unpleasant, on ac- count of cobble stones. "Porter's Rock," left of the road. A mile beyond this, you descend to the lower land again. The descent is steep, lengthy and sandy. Bitter Creek and Cold Spring. This was dry, September 13. Here is plenty of timber, end if there is no water, you will find plenty three and a half mile« further. Bitter Creek-^second crossing. - Bend in the road. - - - - Road turns south about two hundred yards, to avoid A deep ravine, then back again the same distance. Dead Timber creek, 10 feet wide. Plenty of timber, grass and water. Creek, south side the road. You don't cross this creek, but go just above it. It Is a good chance to camp. Small creek and spring : Lat. 42° 21' 51" Not safe to depend on for a camping place. Little prass and not much water— dry, September 13, 1847. Steep hill, quarter mile up. Pleasant view of the surrounding country from the rummit. The descent steep in several places, and many cobblestones in the road. "Horse Creek" and Heber's Spring. • The spring lays a little to the right of the road, at the edge of timber. If it is dry. there is water in the creek, about one hundred yards north from this spring. BluflF ^ths of a mile to the summit. Difficult to ascend on account of six or seven steep places, where you will probably have to double teams. Small creek : Lat. 42° 29' 58". - After crossing this, you cross five others, about a mile epart, but none of them safe to depend on for a camping place, being little grass, and lees (11 any) water. 12 I 522 7^ 4h U H 41 H 71 2i 2i 529 5333 534^ 536i 5371 542^ 546^ 547^ 549:1 550 55U 559^ 559§ 565 567. 569: I PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS Dl§T. miles. Frem l trt.iii WQng.lCofGSL miles. I miles. 6lh small creek from the last. After croising this, you fiscend a high bluff, the top of which ia a succession ot biils and hollows ior five milee. The road is good, but crooked. " La Bonte" river, 30 feet wide, 2 ft. deep. Good place to camp — plenty of timber, gr«s9, and water. There is also a good chance, a mile further. 1*161115 of wild mint on the creek. Branch of La Bonte, 10 feet wide, 18 inch- es deep. - - . - - Doubtful about water, .^tccp banVa. You have now traveled near a mile over this dark, red sand, and will find It continue three and « half miles further. Very small creek. - _ - - Little chance for gras.s, and less for water. One mile beyond this, you nitcend another bluff, but the road is tol' erably straight and good. Look out for toads with homf find tails. Very small creek. - - » - Very poor chnnco for camping. Very small creek. - - - - I'he rood runs down the channel of this creelj, near two hundred yards, but there is little grass on it. A La Prele river, one rod wide, 2 it. deep Current rapid — good place to camp. Land betwcoB creeks mostly sandy and barren. Road from here to the Platte very uneven, being a succession of hills and hollows Small creek. - - - - - No place to cam]) — doubtful for water. Box Elder creek, 5 i'eet wide. Clear water, and plenty — but not much grass. Not very good to cross, banks being steep. Some timber on it Fourche Boise river, 30 feet wide, 2 feet, deep: Lat. 42° 51' 5". Current rapid. Plenty of good grase and timber. North fork of Platte river. - - - Not much grass here. You will now find a sandy roa(' and heavy traveling:. " Deer Creek," 30 feet wide, two feet deep : Lat. 42° 52' 50": Altitude, 4,864 feet Lovelv' place to camp. Sv^'ift current, clear water. and abundance of fish. Nice grove of timber on the banks, ond a coal mine about a quarter of a mile tip. on the east side. After this, you will find eandy roads for nine miles, but not much grass. Deep hollow, or ravine — steep banks. - Sudden bend in the road. - - - To avoid a deep ravine. Grove of limber on the banks of the river. Good chance to camp. Lat. 42*^ 51' 47". Crooked, muddy creek, 12 ft. wide, 1 deep. Not good to crosE— steep banks. Plenty of grass, but no wood. Muddy creek, 3 feet wide. - - - Soft banke find ba I to cross. Ccneidcrable small lim- ber, but little grass. After this, good but crooked road. Deep gulf. 41 5 6i 6i a n 1 3^ 4 2§ 5^ 1 1 5^ 23 574^ 5823 5875 594 600^ 6001 602i 606^ 607i 6101 6141 619f 456^ 448i 443^ 437 430J 430i 4281 4241 423J 420i 416i 41U 622i 628 4081 403 629 402 630 401 6353 Bm 638i 392i 14 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. D:sT, miles. From W Qrs. miles From CofGSL tnilefl. Creek, two feet wide. - . - No place to camp. Muddy creek, 5 feet wide, H feet deep. No chance to camp. 2 ravines, near together : Lat. 42" 5^44". Opposite here there is a fording place, where compa nics generally have forded the river. Creek five feet wide. - - - Abundf.nce of ttsh, early in the ecason, but Iittlo graSE. Knd no timber. Upper Platte ferry and ford. Flenty of feed and some timber on both sides the river (See Note 4.) Lat 42° 50' 18". Altitude 4,875 feet. Road turns south, and rises a long hill. - Ascent gradual. Many Ein;rular looking rocks on the eouth side. "^Descent rough and crooked. Towards tht foot, road very uneven. Mineral spring and lake.. - - - Considered poisonous. No bad taste to the water, un- less the cattle trample in it. In tliat case it becomes black find is doubtless poisonous. No timber near. Rock avenue and steep descent. - The road here passes between high rocks, forming i kind of avenue or gateway, for a quarter of a mile. Alkali swamps and springs. • - This ought to be avoided as a'camping ground— it ii A small valley, surrounded by high bluffa. The land ex- ceeding miry, and Amelia bad. There is a creek of gooo WKtur north-west. No timber and little graf s. Next mile, rough road. Small stream of clear spring water. Good camping place. Plenty of grass, butro wood. ''Willow Spring." - About three rods west of the road, at the foot of wil low bualics. Water cold and good— grass plenty, but creek some miry. ♦'Prospect Hill," (summit.) Pleasant view of the surrounding country, to the Sweet Water mountains. Bad slough. - - - - - Plenty of gross, but little water. A mile further is i. hill, both steep ascending and descending. Creek, 300 yards south of road. - ^ Plenty of giass, but no wood. Small creek, left of the road. Grass plentiful, but doubtful for water, and no wood The road runs alongside this creek fer half a mile. Grease-wood creek, 6 feet wide 1 ft. deep. Very little grass, and no fuel but wild saM. Roac from hero to the tiweet Water sandy, and very heavy. Alkali springs and lakes. - - - Here gather your Paleraitus from a lake, west of the road. Land swampy, and smellg bad. Water poisonous " Sweet-wSter river," 8 rods wide, 2 ft. deep. . . - - - Swift current— 2ood water. Grass plentiful, but little timber. (See Note 5) n 1 3 3 1^ 7 2 4 23 1 Si 13 21 U H . H (J40 641 644 647 648, 655^ ?91 390 387 384 382i 3755 661 370 668a 670| 674.1 677i 678^ 6SU 683i 6851 687 6931 698 362i 3601 3565 3531 352a 3491 ,347J 345i 3436 \ 837i 333 15 PRO^^NENT POINTS AND REMARKS. I from W Qbs mile* From CofGSL tniles. Independence Rock and lord. On the north side of the river — about six hundred rards lonp, and a hundred and twenty vrtde, composed ol hard firanite. (See Note i) Devil's Gate. A little west from the rofld. The rirer here passes hctwecn perpendicular rocks four hundred feet high.— This is a curiosity worthy of a travelcr'a notice. Creek two feet wide. - - - . Not ;ood to crofls. The road runs near the river bnnks for ten miles after this. Creek, 6 feet wide. - - - . Good to croES. Water and grass plenty, but lacks timber. Vou will find grass all along on the banks of the river, but very little wood. Deep ravine and creek. - - - Plenty of grass and water, but no wood. Deep ravine and creek. - - - Doubtful for water. Road leaves the river : Lftt. 42' 28' 25". Road after this, eandy and heavy, and passes over s high bluft". Land barren lor seven and a half nriles (Seo Note C.) Alkali Lake. On the left of the road. Sage creek. - - - - - No glass. Hiah banks. Doubtful for water, but Wild Ssee plentiful. Ono and three-quarter miles further you «n-ive on the river banks ajain. Creek, three feet wide. - - - Doubtful for water, but the road runs closo to the river. High gravelly blulf. - - - - Lelt of the road, and a very good place to camp. Bilter-cotton-wood creek. - Doubtful for water and grass. Some timber on it. Af- ter this, the road leaves the river for six miles. Road arrives at the river. - - - Leave the old road and ford the river. - By fording here, the rond ia shorter, and you avoid much very heavy, sandy road. Lat. 42^ 31' 20". Road turns between tho rocky ridges. - After this, you ford the river twice — but it is easily fordfd. Then ilie road leaves the river again. Ford No. 4 — good camping place. Alter this, the road leaves tho river agnin, and you will probably find no water fit to drink for sixteen and » half miles. Ice Spring. - . , - - This is on a low, swampy spot of lard on the right of the road. Ice may generally be Ibund, by dliigingdown f bout t\yo feet. ThercVue two alkali lakes a Utile lurthor. Alkali springs. - - - - - On the Iclt of the rohd Steep descent from tlio bluffs. Ford of Sweet-water, No. 5. - - Plenty of good eniss and willow buihcs. Klvcr about three roda wide, and two fecttlcop. 5i 6^ 3 69811 332i 41 H 1 6i 'oi 1 704 704i 705 71U 712 715 715^ 720 724i 725^ 727 733^ 733A 735 743 748^ 749 '^■7581 ^^59^ 327 326A 82G 3193 319 31G 3155 3101 3061 305i 304 297J 297^ 296 288 282i 282 2725 27ia 16 PKOMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. Dl9T. mUcs. l-rom WQrs. milcB. from CofGSL miles. Creek a rod wide. - - - - Doubtful for water. Bluff or hill, I2 miles to summit. Tho ascent gradual, though steep in some places. Road joins the river, and fords it. The river is forded here, to avoid croeeing the next high, sandy ridge, making the road much better, and aome shorter. Ford back. . * - - - River banks and stream, 25 feet wide. - This appears to be a branch of the river, running round a piece of land, about a quarter of a mile vcide. Creek, two feet wide : Lat. 42° 28' 36". A good cold spring, a little to the right of the road anda softrwampjustbelow.butitisagood place to camp Road leaves the river. - - - Good camping place. Afterthis, the road winds around and over a succession of hilU and hollows, for three miles. Rougli, rocky ridges. - - , - Dangerous to wagons, and ought to be crossed with care. Soft swamp and very small creek. No place to camp. Creek, a foot wide. - - - - Creek, two feet wide. ... Strawberry creek, five feet wide. Plenty of grass and water, and some willows. Good place to camp. There is a poplar grove about o mile below. Quaking-aspen creek. - » . This rises in a small grove of timber on the south side the road, but is not safe to depend on for water. Branch of Sweet-water, 2 rods wide, two feet deep. Good place to camp. Water good and cold. Grast and willows, plenty. Willow creek, 8 feet wide, 2 feet deep. Good camping place for grass, water and willows. The ford is near three rods vride. Sweet-water, 3 rods wide, 3 feet deep. Good place to camp. After traveling seven miles be- yond this, and passing between the Twin mounds, you will find a good camping place a quarter of a mile north of the road. South Pass, or summit of dividing ridge. This is the dividing ridge between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. Altitude, 7,085 feet. Pacific creek and springs. - - - Abundance of cra-ss any where for a miJe. Good water, and plenty ot Wild Sage for fuel. Pacific creek (crossing) three feet wide: Lat. 42° 18' 58": Long. 108° 40' 0". Not good to cross Pretty good place to camp, escepi for wood. After you leave here you will find a good road, but very little water. Dry Sandy. - - - - . The water brackish, and not good for cattle. Very little grass, but no wood. i Bh 3 2 2i 3 II 4 2 1 2i 2i 43 91 3 n 9 7591 760 763? 764 764d 767i 769a 772 775 7761 777 779 780 7821 785 7891 799 £02^ 804 813 17 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DlST. miles h'lOIQ niilej. !• loni CofGSL miles. Junction of California and Oregon roads. Tako tliQ IcU bond road. Good road a low niilts, alter war.b sandy and heavy. LiUlo Sandy, 20 feet wide, 2^ feet deep. Muddy water — swift current. Plenty of willowa and mid aage. Abundance of grass down llic stream. AUei tiiia, barren and fandy land. Big Sandy, 7 rods wide, 2 feet deep : Lat. 42" ii' 42". - . - - Good chance to camp. A few miles further, you will find a short piece of rough road, over rocks and cobblt stones. No grass or water after this for near K miles. Big Sandy. - - - - - Good chanco to camp. After this, barren, sandy land nnd heavy road till you arrive at Green river. Green river ford, 16 rods wide. - Good camping any where on the banks, and plenty ol timber. It is not diliicult fording in low water; but if too higii to ford, the best crossing place Is upstream. Latitude —2 miles above— 4P 5J' 3T"; Long. 109^ aU'. .\!t. C.OOO feet. Good camping place on Green river. Plenty of gra^s lirre. But no other very good chanci ti camp on thi< side the river. Road leaves Green river. - - - No grass nor water after this for fifteen and a hall miles. Land rolling, barren — mostly sandy, aud several Sleep plMCCd to pass. Black's fork, 6 rods wide, 2 feet deep. - Good chance to camp, and a nice place, though not much timber. Ham's fork, 3 rods wide, 2 feet deep. - rav)id current, cold water, plenty of bunch grass anc willows, and is a good camp ground. Black's fork again. - - . - Not much grass, but plenty of 'willows. You will now have i-ome unrvt-n rond, with many ravlnea. Small creek, 2 feet wide. - - - No grass, and probably no water. Black's fork, third time. Alter crooiin;; you will find n good camping place rinnty of bunch grses ; also, wild tlax. Black's fork, fourth time. ... Vou ford again at a eood camping place. Stream 2 rods wide, 2 feet deep. Very swift current, and plenty of bunch grass. Roa*' pvolty rou^h after this. Stream — good camping place at a bend. Vou do not croM the rtream, but there i? a good camp Inff nlace, whrre the road passes a bend of tlm crrck. ''Fort Bridgcr:" Lat. 41° 19' 13"^ Long. 110' 5'; Altitude, 6,G65 feet. You cross fourcushiog creeks, within half a mile, be for© you r'Bch the Fort, and by traveling half a mile be yond iho Fort, yoa will crois three others, and then find a good place to oamp. The Fort Is composed of four log hou.'cs nnd a smal enclosure lor hor*CJs. Land exeeedlns rich- water cole? and good, and confiderable timber 9 6 73 3d 819 212- 8263 835 17 852 179 10 862 169 U S63i 167§ Si 867 164 15d S82i 1481 33 8865 1441 U 888 143 103 8983 132i 2 .9003 ISOi 2i 903 128 23 9053 125* 9094 917i 204* 196 12U 1134 18 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS. DiST. miles. Kroia I From WQks. CofGSL miles, I miles. Cold Springs, on the right side the road. Tbcro is timber here, and ii is a pretty good campmg place. Small creek and springs. - - - No feed here, and no place to camp. Summit of High Ridge: Lat. 41° 16' 11". After this, you travel several miles on tolerably level land, then you descend to lower land by a etecp, tediotis route. Muddy Fork, 12 feet wide. Plenty of bunch grass and willows. Water clear, and not bad tasted. After this, you will probably find no good water lor eleven miles. Copperas, or Soda Spring. - - - Left of the road at the loot ot a hill. The road now begins to ascend another high ridge. Summit of Ridge : Altitude 7,315 feet. The descent is lengthy, and some tedious. About half way down you pass over rough roclis, and the pass being narrow, malcea it dangerous to wagons. Copperas, or Soda Spring. - - - Cattle will drink this water, and there is plenty of grass around it. A little lurther the road turns to the left and passes dovyn a narrow ravine. Spring of good water, south side the road. This is surrounded by high grass, close to the creeli Bide. There is another spring a little further on thenoUb eide the road, which will probably be the last water you will find till you arrive at Sulpbur creels. East foot of dividing ridge. - - - Dividing ridge between the waters of the Colorado and Great Basin. Ascent very steep and crooked— narrow summit and steep descending. Alter this, crooked road between mountains. Altitude of ridge, 7,700 feet. Sulphur creek, 10 feet wide. Plenty of grass and some willows ; also, small cedar at the foot of the mountain. (See Kote 7.) Bear river, 6 rods wide, 2 feet deep. - Swift cuiTcnt— clear cold water ; plenty of timber and p-ass. Altitude at ford, 6,836 feet. Summit of Ridge. - - - - Half a mile further you cross a email ridge, then de- Bccnd into, and travel down a nice narrow bottom, where is plenty of gr^ss. Spring of clear, cold water. On the south -side the creek, about two rods from the road. The spring Is deep— watrr clear, cold and good Perhaps it will not be easy to find, being surrounded by Yellow creek, cross at foot of rocky bluffs. You will soon cross this ncain, and about a mile fur ther you ascend aaother long ridge, the ascent being pretty et«ep and tedious. Summit of Ridge. - - - Descent pretty steep. About three-fourths of n mile down from the Kuramit, is a spring of good cold wati^r, oe the left of the road. 1 4i II 1 4 6 II 21 II 41 II 9231 925 92G 9304 934i 936 937 941i 942a 948^ 950^ 95c 9541 959^ 9au 71* 691 19 PROMINENT rOINT3 AND REMARKS. trum CofGSr. Cache Cave and head of Kcho creek : Al- titude, 6,070 feet. Cave in tlio blutTi noith. Several epriiiga along the roaJ. bcloie you nrrivc hcie, nnd one, a quarter of a mile f outb from tbc Cave. Plciiiy of giuss, ao J a good place to cnaijj. Cold spring, on the right of the road. - TbU also ii agOLxl place to CBmp, being plenty ofgrofs Cold spring, south side the road. - At the fool of (I high bill. Good place to camp. After this, you travel dowu a narrow ruTine, Lelween hiirl) mountains, till you arrive at Weber river. Not much dil ficulty for camping down it. Deep ravine. - - . - . Steep on both banks. After this, you will cross Echo creek a number of tunes, but iu no place very difficulL Red fork of Weber river : Alt. 5,301 feet. There is a good camping place a mile before you ar- rive hero. Alfo, almnat Kny where on the llnnka cf thf river. Plenty of timber. The stream abounds with spotted trout. Weber river ford, 4 rods wide, 2 ft. deep Good to ford. Plenty of grass and timber on both ridee the river. Pratt's Pass, to avoid the Kanyon. The Knnyon is a few milci below, where the river rana between high mountains of rocke. tjome emigrantt have paH«ed throuqb, but it is dangerous. East ibot of Long hill. Therj is a email creek descends down the ho'low. up which the road is made. There are acveral £prijigs near the road. Bridge (over the creek.) Not a bad pincc to camp. Summit of RiJge. - - - - The country wcht look* rough and monntninous. The descent is uot pleasant, boirj; mostly on the side hiU. Small creek, left of the road. Good place to camp. Plenty of praep, w\icr nnd wil Iow«. The road here turns north a quarter of a mile, then wcit, and ascciKls a siiTp bill. Kanyon creek, 1 rod wide, 1 foot deep *Lat. 40° 54' 7". ... - You have to crpps tl.l) creek thirteen times, l^fsideo tWD bad »warap(i. The road is dangerous to wngon», on accouDtot dei'fe, high bu.'hes, fees, luid abort turns iu the road. Gool pbce to camp. (See Note i).). Leave Kanyon creek. - . Here you turn to the right, nnd begin to noccnd the highcnt raoutrt'tn yon cross in thn whole journey. You travel thrnu;jh timhcr, Boinc ou iiido hills, and cxuss tbi cro«k a numhcr of times. Small spring, left of the road. You Will probably lind water In a^veTnl places, but il is BlicrtJiin where, na it runa but • lUtlc way iu a place, itnd then sinks in the esr b. Summit of mountain : Ahi(udc. 7,245 feet. Yon have now a view of the lonth part of tbo Valley of the Great b'alt Lake. The d'-scent i.« ctrrp, leuglhy.l •nJ tedious, on account of stonips in the roiul. ' Sa £65 2 2i U 16 2i 25 U 21 967 9601 970.J 986^ 990J 991 992 9944 996^ 9985 10014 1009i I012i 1013i 66 64 611 60i 44 i 40i 40 3D 36i 34i 32* 291 21} m 20 PROMINENT POINTS AND REMARKS, DlST. miles. From WQbs. miles. iTom CofGSL miles. i 1014 17 i 10143 m 23 1017^ m 11 1019^ 111 1 1020i 101 3 1021 10 5 1026 5 5 1031 Bridge over a deep ravine. - - - This is dfingerous to cross, and a wagon may be easily upset. The road lays through a forest of email timber, find is unpleasant traveling. Brown's creek and spring. - - - Not a bad place to camp, but there is a much better one, half a mile lower down. Cold spring on Brown's creek. - Within a rod of the road, on the east side, under a grore of Black Birch bushes. Good place to camp, but Dome miry. Good camping any where for two miles lower. Leave Brown's creek. . - - You now ascend another high mountain, by a steep and crooked road. On both sides this mountain, there arc many Serviceberry bushes. Summit of last ridge. - - - - The descent is very steep, ail the way, till you arrive on the banks of Last creek. Last creek. - - - - - Vou cross this creek nineteen times. Several ef the crossings are difficult. There are several side lulls which require care in teamsters. Three camping places on it, but the road is rough. Mouth of the Kanyon. . - - You now enter the Valley ef the Salt Lake. The road at the mouth of the Kanyon bad, and rough with stumps Afterwards, descending and good. City of the Gbeat Salt Lake. The city is located within three miles of the mountains, %vhich enclose the east side of the valley — \vithin three miles of the Utah outlet, and twenty-two miles of the Salt Lake, ^'hc land is gradually sloping, from the mountain to within, a ..mile of the Outlet, and is of a black, loose, sandy nature. A Stream of water rushes from the mountains east of the city, and, at the upper part, it divides in two branches, both of which pass through the city to the Outlet. The water is good, and very cold, and abundance for mill purposes, or for irrigation. The air is good and pure, sweetened by the healthy breezes from the Salt Lake. The grass is rich and plentiful, and well filled with rushes, and the passes in (he mountains afford abundance of good timber, mostly halsam Fir. The valley is about forty miles long, and from twenty to twenty-five miles wide. It is beautifully surrounded on the west, south, and east by high mountains. Salt Lake extends from a point a little south of west, from the city, to about eighty miles north, forming the north-western boundary of the 21 valley. There are two sulphur springs a mile and a half north from the *Temple Block ; the water is salt, and a little warmer than blood : two miles further north there is a sulphur spring of boiling water. There is not mueh land on the north part of the valley tit for cultivation ; but the cast side is well adapted for farming, being well watered by several large creeks, and the soil beautiful. The land on the west of the Utah Outlet, is also good for farming, and easily irrigated from the south end of the Outlet. The latitudes, longitudes, and altitudes are copied from the observations and calculations made by Elder O. Pratt. The variation of the magnetic needle, at the City of the Great Salt Lake, 15° 47' 23" east, as determined on the 30th July, A. D. 1847, by the mean of several observations, and calculations of the Sun's Azimuths and Altitudes. * Latitude of northern boundary of Temple Block, 40° 45' 44". Longitude of do. do. do. 111° 26' 34". Altitude of do. do. do. 4,300 feet. 22 NOTES. Note i. If the Elk Horn river is forJable, you leave the main road a mile before you strike the river, and turn north. After leaving the road ihrce-fourihs of a mile, yo\x will cross a very bad creek or slough, being soft and miry ; but, by throwing in long grass, it will be good crossing. You then travel three-fourths of a mile further, and arrive at the ford. You will go up stream when fording, and gradually come nearer to the opposite shore, till you strike a piece of low land on the west side j you then pass by a narrow, crooked road, through the timber, till you arrive on the open prairie. You will then see a post erected in near a south direction, about a mile distant. Go straight to tluit post, and you will find a good bridge over the creek — and there, again strike the main road. From Jicre, you have before you near five liundred miles travel over a flat, level country, and a good road, with the exception of several sandy bluffs mentioned herein. The road generally runs from one to two miles from the Platte river, but not too far to turn off to camp in case of necessity. All camping places, which lay near the road, are meiTtioned in this work. You will find near two hundred miles without timber, but in that region you will find plenty of buflalo chips, which are a good substitute for fuel. Buffalo are numerous after you arrive at the head of Grand Island, and continue two hundred miles. Note it. The descent to the ford is steep, and at the bottom very sandy. Your best chance to ford will, probably, be to enter the river opposite to where you descend from the bluff; then go near a straight course, but inclining a little down stream, till more than half way over, when you will find a sand-bar. Follow this, down stream near half a mile, and you will then see a good place to go out on the south side. In this river the channels often change — the old ones fill up, and new ones are made — hence, the wisdom and necessity of hav- ing several men go across on horses, to find the best route, be- fore you attempt to take wagons over. If this precaution is not taken, you may plunge your wagons from a sand-bar into a deep hole, and do much damage. If you ford up stream, and come out lu'gher than where you enter, after crossing, strike for the bluffs, in a direction a very little west of south, till you arrive on the old road. On arriving at Prairie creek, if you take a south-west course, a short day's drive will bring you to Wood river, six or eight miles above where the old road crosses; and by keep- ing the same course after crossing Wood river, you will strike 23 tlie Platte ten or twelve miles above where Wood river emp- ties into it. By this means the road would be shortened at least iivc miles, and probably much more. Note hi. Fort "John, or Laramie," lays about one and a half miles from the river, in near a south-west course, and is composed of a trading establishment, and about twelve houses, enclosed by a wall eleven feet high. The wall and houses arc built of adobes, or Spanish brick. It is situated on the Lara- mie Fork, and is a pleasant location : the latitude of the Fort is 42" 12' 13"; longitude 104° 11' 53", and altitude above the sea, 4,090 feet. After leaving here you begin to cross the *' Black Hills," and will find rough roads, high ridges, and mostly barren country. There is, however, not much diffi- culty in finding good camping places, each day's travel, by ob- serving tlie annexed table. Tliere is a road Ibllows the river, instead of crossing the Black Hills, and it is represented as being as near, and much better traveling if the river is fordable. By following this road you have to cross the river three times extra, but will find plenty of grass, wood, and water. If the river is fordable at Laramie, it is fordable at those three places, and you can go that route safely. Note iv. The best place to ford will probably be a little below the bend in the river. After this you have fifty miles to travel, which is dangerous to teams, on account of Alkali springs. Great care should be taken to avoid them, by select- ing a camping place where none of these springs are near. Note v. In low water the river is easily forded opposite to the Rock Independence ; but, if not fordable here, a good place can be Ibund a mile higher up the river. Independence Rock is one of the curiosities to be seen on the road, mostly on account of its peculiar shape and magni- tude. Thcre^are many names of visitors painted in various places, on the south-east corner. At this corner most travelers appear to have gone up to view the top ; but there is a much better place on the north side, about half way from end to end. Latitude 1^_ miles below 4T 30' 10". The road along the Sweet Water is mostly sandy and heavy traveling. You will find many steep places, and as you ap- proach the Rocky Mountains, you will find some high hills lo travel over. After crossing the mountains the country is level, but still barren, and, if possible, more sandy. You will have to make some long drives to obtain water for camping. There is great lack of timber, from ihe Upper Platte ferry to Fort Bridger, 24 and in fact scarcely any kind but willows. In all this region the willows and wild sage form your chief ingredient for luel. Note vi. It is supposed that a good road can be made here, by following the banks of the river. If so, these high bluflj, and much sandy road, would be avoided. Note vn. At the foot of the mountain, on the south side the road, and at the edge of the creek, there is a stroiTtj sulphur spring. A little above the spring, on the side of tlie moun- tain, IS a bed of stone coal. At the foot of the bluff, west of where you cross the crctk, is a noble spring of pure, cold water ; and about a mile from this place, in a south-west course, is a " Tar," or " Oil Spring," covering a surface of several rods of ground. There is a wagon trail runs within a short distance ol' it. It is situated in a small Ijollow, on the left of the wagon tr.iil, at a point where the trail rises ajiighcr bench of land. ^Vhen the oil can be obtained free from sand, it is useful to oil wagons. It gives a nice polish to gun-stocks, and has been proved to be highly beneticial when applied to sores on horses, cattle, &c. Note viii. From the summit of this ridge, you will see to the west, a ridge of high, rough, peaked rocks. The road runs at the south foot of that ridge, and there crosses Yellow creek. From the place wliere you now stand, the road runs through a beautiful narrow valley, surrounded by gently rolling hills, and is pretty straight and pleasant traveling, till you ar- rive at that ridge of rocks. There is little difficulty in finding a good camping place, between here and the ridge in view, ex- cept for fuel, which is scarce. There are several springs of good water along the creek. Note ix. On this creek is a very rough piece of road ; the bushes are high, and road narrow, in consequence of which wagon coVers are liable to be torn, and bows broke. There are many short turns in it, where wagon tongues are liable to be broke. Some of the crossing places are bad. There is a good camping place where first you strike the creek — one about half way up, and one a quarter of a mile before you leave the creek. The ascent up the next mountain is both lengthy and tedi- ous, mostly through high timber, and there are many stumps in the road. It is a chance whether you will find any water till you descend on the west side. From this creek to the valley is decidedly the worst piece of road on the whole journey, but the distance is short, and by using care and patience, it is easily accomplished. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. ^MN 81 1964 & OCT 29 1976 NONRENEWABLE JUL i ^ 1991 DOE 2 WKS FROM DATE RECEIVED i 10M-1 1-50(2555) 470 I MfilN^T