"19th [ ] according to arrangement the most of the wagons resumed our journey down the Weber a few miles then crossed this stream and took up a small valley by a rout caled Reeds Cut Off [ ] this was done in order to avoid the Kenyen of Weber River [ ] camped at night on a fine stream caled Kenyon Creek [ ] distance 13 3/4 miles"
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Reed's Cutoff was referring to James F. Reed of the Donner Party. The canyon he is referring to is Echo Canyon. They are still following the faint Donner trail and improving it as they go for others that follow. They are about 36 miles from the mouth of Emigration Canyon and 'home'.
Brigham is still sick although improving slightly and he is following the main party riding in the carriage for a more comfortable ride. However, the ride is very rocky and both he and Albert Rockwood cannot take the jostles.
Meanwhile the advance party are getting their first look at the valley as John Brown climbed up Big Mountain on foot and saw it through a canyon opening. Brigham is back a few miles with the group that are taking care of him and of Albert Rockwood.
William Clayton entry for the day:
"Monday 19 [ ] morning fine and warm [ ] Prest. Young considerably better [ ] at ¼ to 8 we started onward leaving pres Young & Kimball’s wagons and several others [ ] we found the road very rough on account of loose rocks and cobble stones [ ] after travelling 2¼ miles we forded the river and found it about 18 inches deep but forded without difficulty [ ] soon after we were over Er Snow came up and said the camp were requested to halt awhile till Dr Richards came [ ] one of his oxen is missing and he wishes to go on [ ] we concluded to move on a little to where the road should turn off between the mountains to avoid the Kanion [ ] Er Pratt went 3 miles out of his road and had to return again [ ] ¾ of a mile from the ford we found the place to make the cut off and there halted a while [ ] I put up a guide board up at this place marked as follows “Pratts Pass to avoid the Kanion. To Fort Bridger 74¼ miles [ ] Brother Pack having charge of the company concluded to move on slowly and be making our way up the mountains [ ] we accordingly started and after travelling a mile from the forks began to ascend and wind round the mountains [ ] we found the road exceeding rough and crooked and very dangerous on wagons [ ] 3½ miles from the forks of the road the brethren made a bridge over a small creek over which we crossed having passed a number of springs near the road [ ] 2¼ miles further we arrived on the summit of the dividing ridge and put up a guide board '80 miles to Fort Bridger.'
At this place Ers Kimball Woodruff & G A Smith and H Egan rode up to view the road &c [ ] the descent is not very steep but exceeding dangerous to wagons being mostly on the side hill over large cobble stones causing the wagons to slide very bad [ ] after travelling a little way G A Smiths wagon wheels gave way going down a steep pitch [ ] the spokes are loose in the hub and work about so that when the wagon slides they dish inward &c [ ] at 2 o clock we halted beside a small creek to water teams having travelled 10½ miles over exceeding rough road [ ] a wagon was unloaded and sent for G A Smiths loading which is reported to be 2 miles back [ ] while they were gone many turned out their teams to graze [ ] at ½ past 3 the men returned with the wagons putting the loading into several so as to proceed and at 25 minutes to 4 we started forward the road turning suddenly to the right for about ¾ of a mile and then a South West course again [ ] here we ascend a very long steep hill for near a mile then descending by a very crooked road [ ] I think a better road might be made here and this high hill avoided and save a miles travel [ ] after travelling a little over 3 miles we crossed a creek about a rod wide and 18 inches deep pretty steep going down but good going out [ ] we went on a little further and at half past 5 camped on a small spot surrounded by willow bushes full of musquitoes having travelled this afternoon 3¼ miles and during the day 13¾
The day has been hot and no wind [ ] teams sweat much and it has been a pretty hard days travel. [ ] there is not much grass here but is said to be more plentiful a little further [ ] several accidents have happened to wagons today but nothing serious except brother G A Smiths [ ] Dr Richards wagons arrived in camp at the same time the rest did [ ] the sick are getting better [ ] in the evening the brethren picked up a lot of dry willows and made a coal pit to set G A Smiths tire before we can leave tomorrow [ ] the evening and night was very cold"
