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| Fort Bridger |
The Great Salt Lake was around 100 miles away, which seemed so small compared to their last portion of the journey from Winter Quarters (covering 1000 miles). It was a blessing for them to reach the fort and realize the difficult journey was soon finished.
Here is how their joyful day began:
The morning:
The pioneers broke camp at 7:30 a.m. and prepared to travel across the twisting Black's Fork River. The river is long, and windy, but it was just the beginning of many river crossings that day.
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| Black's Fork River |
Afternoon:
By noon, the company had covered over nine miles on rough, uneven terrain. Their motivation was high, and many were excited to reach Fort Bridger by the evening. This pushed the group forward quickly.
Wilford Woodruff, a fisherman at heart, commented that the company crossed "more than a dozen trout brooks" and some lucky men went fishing and caught some trout (the first Wilford had seen since leaving England).
Early Evening:
The Pioneer Company entered the Bridger Valley, which was dotted with many Indian dwellings and the famous trading post, Fort Bridger. The Fort was not very impressive, but the scenery was reassuring. The company camped out about a half-mile past the fort where "the grass was knee deep and better, " Thomas Bullock commented.
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| Thomas Bullock |
It was a lovely, peaceful scene; lush with streams from melting snow, running into the Black Fork.
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| A picture of Bridger Valley |
However, from here on out, the travel would become more difficult. The Pioneers were about to enter the Mountain Region. Although the Great Salt Lake was only 100 miles away, they had to traverse rocky, mountainous terrain. It was not going to be easy for them.
Source: Knight and Kimball. 111 Days to Zion. Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1978. p. 214-15
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