Alonzo wrote on Oct. 16, “We ascended a mountain this morning that was 4 miles to the summit. Some snow and the clouds were below the highest peak. From this summit we could see the southern portion of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. 3 miles from this summit down to level ground and a terrible road up and down. Another 1 mile hill. Ed and I push the cart and old Blinkey (the horse) up hill. Our horses are just about worn out. Thank God we are near a resting place for them, for they need rest. We are ready ourselves for anything that comes along. Encamped at the foot of the last hill just over it and it was a hard one.”
The relatively easy traveling of the route today allows one to marvel at the variety of landscape and the spectacular views. Probably not the reaction travelers had one hundred and sixty years ago as they maneuvered some of the most difficult roads of the entire journey.
(Click on photos to view a larger image)
William Clayton described the last creek to cross in the Emigrants’ Guide, “Last creek. You cross this creek nineteen times. Several of the crossings are difficult. There are several side hills which require care in teamsters. Three camping places on it but the road is rough.”
Alonzo noted the same stretch on Oct. 17, “Drove 10 miles, we crossed the last creek 19 times in 5 miles and the crossings are bad. Today at 11Oclk we did emerge from a deep canyon out into the Valey and our eyes did behold a mud city build of dobies. It is quite a large valley surrounded by mountains, snow on the tops the year round, and the tops of some are above the clouds, a grand view to behold.”
No comments:
Post a Comment