Erastus Snow was once a part of the Main company, but in the morning he had carried a letter from Willard Richards to Pratt's Advance Guard. Once he reached Pratt's company, and the letter was read (mainly covering instructions to plant crops immediately) Snow and Pratt set off ahead to scout the way.
They made their way 4.5 miles down Emigration Canyon, which Pratt called Last Creek, traveling to just near the mouth of Emigration Canyon.
Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow climbed the old Donner Hill (the dangerous steep slope the Donner Party struggled up), and "a broad valley stretched out before us."
The sight, after having been shut up in the high mountains for many days was overwhelming.
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| The statute from This is the Place Heritage Park Pratt and Snow celebrating. |
"We could not refrain from a shout of joy, which almost involuntarily escaped our lips the moment this grand and lovely scenery was in our view," Pratt said, "We immediately descended into the lower parts of the valley and although we had but one horse between us, traversed a circuit of about 12 miles before we left the valley and returned to camp."
The rest of the 43 men of the Advance Party had remained in Emigration Canyon, slowly moving forward and trying to improve the road the best they could.
The Main Company:
The Main company had spent the night in East Canyon, near Big Mountain. They began their trek around 6:30 a.m., on what was to be one of the last and most difficult days. They began near the base of Big Mountain and the wagons had to be pulled up the slope.
"Much time was necessarily spent cutting down tree stumps, heaving out rocks and leveling the road. It is an exceedingly rough place," William Clayton said.
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| One view from the peak of Big Mountain. Today, you can hike the Historic Pioneer Trail from Big Mountain. It's a good Pioneer Day activity. |
The ascent grew steeper, being the steepest near the peak. When the pioneers reached the peak, they saw glimpses "of an extensive valley to the west, but on ever other side are high mountains, many of them white with snow," Clayton said, "it seems as though a few hours of travel might bring us out of the mountains."
Big Mountain was steep, so the wagon wheels had to be locked to make their descent, to keep them from running away.
"We found the road down exceedingly steep and rendered dangerous by the many stumps of trees left standing in the road (by earlier clearing work). The brethren cut many of them, which delayed us much," Clayton said.
About a mile down, the company came upon a temporary bridge the Advance Party had created. Small trees were piled on top of each other to fill a deep ravine. It was steep down both sides of the ravine, and Joseph Rooker's wagon overturned trying to cross.
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4.5 miles down the summit, the Saints found a good camping spot with a cold water spring and plenty of grass for the cattle. The teams had been harnessed for 10-hours without eating "and the feeling of many was to stay here," Clayton said.
However, others were anxious to push ahead and reach the Valley, so the company pushed onward.
Soon, they came upon Little Mountain. The uphill battle was very difficult for the animals, and "some teams began to fail," Clayton observed. However, they all made it to the top.
After descending down the Little Mountain slope, the company halted on the banks of Emigration Creek. They had covered 14-miles in 13 hours.
Stephan Markham, from the Advance Company, rode to the Main Company, and informed them that the Advance Company was only a half-mile ahead. He helped the tired company set-up their camp.
Brigham's Party:
They hadn't moved at all for the day, due to the sick individuals. They remained camped in East Canyon.
Source: Knight and Kimball. 111 Days to Zion. Deseret News. Salt Lake City, 1978.
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