Pioneer Day Countdown: July 12, 1847 (Monday)

Today is the day Brigham Young became sick with mountain fever (tick bite sickness).  Previously, President Young had been one of the most active men in the company; as a scout, pathfinder, and motivator, but his illness got him down.

Around 7:15 a.m. camp was broken down, and the company began their trek up a steep hill. Two miles later, they made it to the banks of the Bear River, which is close to the Utah border.

The Bear River south of Evanston, WY.  Near where the Saints would have crossed.

"The river was a very rapid stream, about 100 feet wide" two feet deep, with the bottom covered in many round stones, William Clayton reported.  The wagons were able to move through the water easily.

Clayton observed that willows, plants, and wild strawberries decorated the banks of the stream. 

However, Wilford Woodruff was not as impressed with the "long looked-for Bear River" saying "it wasn't very interesting." Probably because he was focused on finding fishing holes...he continually held his new fishing gear from Fort Bridger close at hand for catching trout. Occasionally, he would fish en route where "fish would jump at the hook as though a bushel of trout were in the hole."

Afternoon:

Around noon, the Saints had reached Coyote Creek Canyon.

The Red Dot is the location of The Needles, which is the start of the Coyote Creek Canyon.

The mouth of Coyote Creek canyon. [Top] is an image of The Needles from the Utah State Historical Society. The [bottom] is an updated image of the moon rising over The Needles.

On the trail of Coyote Creek Canyon. Photo by: gregmacgregor

"There are scarce any wagon tracks to be seen. Only a few wagons of the Hastings company having come this route. The balance (the Donner Party) went the other [Southern] road and many of them perished in the snow, it being late in the season.  Much of their time was lost quarreling over who would improve the road," Clayton wrote.

The Beginning of Company Divisions:

News flooded through the camp about President Young being sick. The company stopped to investigate Brigham Young's mountain fever. After two hours, it was decided that the rest of the company would move on and Brigham would rest, being too sick to travel even as a passenger in the wagon (which is a rough ride even for a well person). Eight wagons stayed behind  to take care of the Prophet.

This was the first division of the company. Later, an advance group would break away from the main body to become a day ahead, and two days ahead of Brigham Young. 

After leaving Brigham Young and his party, the main body moved forward crossing creeks and hills. 

"We passed through some fertile valleys where that eyesore - wild sage [sagebrush] has disappeared," Norton Jacob stated. 

The Evening: 

The Saints covered a total of 16.5 miles, and during the afternoon, crossed over the present day Utah-Wyoming border. They camped near a cave they called "Cache Cave".  They believed it to be used by trappers to store property. 

Cache Cave. Photo by: gregmacgregor

"This county evidently lacks rain," Clayton observed, noting the dryness of the plants and earth. 

They hoped for President Young's party to catch-up and arrive, but they did not make it before nightfall.

Source: Knight and Kimball. 111 Days to Zion. Deseret News. Salt Lake City, 1978