"cold and cloudy [ ] traveled about 15 3/4 miles [ ] This day at noon we arrived opposite the spot where the Oregon road comes over to the north fork where there is a small grove of ash called Ash Hollow"
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They are following the Oregon Trail and have reached Ash Hollow. It was well known in advance as a place for food for the animals and good clean water and an excerpt from "111 Days to Zion" describes it well:
"As they followed the north fork of the Platte river, the pioneers noticed rocky bluffs on the opposite side instead of the usual sand hills. A ravine led into the bluffs and a grove of ash trees could be seen. Some of the company thought it might be Ash Hollow, an emigrant landmark where the Oregon trail joined the north fork of the Platte, although on the opposite side of the river from the Mormon route. If it was really Ash Hollow, the pioneers would know for certain how far they were from Fort Laramie."
"Four men were sent over the river and soon confirmed that this indeed was Ash Hollow. The site offered several acres of fairly level ground amidst the bluffs. It was a popular stopping place for people on the Oregon trail, although the bluffs were hard to cross."
"One of the rocky bluffs was known as Windlass Hill because wagons had to be winched down its steep slope. Early accounts often mentioned accidents and injuries on this hill. Indians also liked the hill because they could ambush emigrants while everyone was so busy with the wagons."
Brigham Young had extremely good maps about this trek to the Salt Lake Valley. A recently released book, "40 Ways to Look at Brigham Young", notes that he read John C. Fremont's "1845 Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains". Another was Lansford W. Hastings "The Emigrant Guide to Oregon and California". He wrote to Joseph A. Stratton who presided over the Saints in St. Louis and asked him to bring him "one half dozen of Mitchells new map of Texas, Oregon, California, and the regions adjoining." He added in the letter.."If there is anything later or better than Mitchells, I want the best."
I recommend the above-mentioned book. It's fascinating and it reminds me again just how great a man the Lord prepared to deal with this journey. He was so prepared.
