"the day warm [ ] traveled 15 1/2 miles [ ] saw some cedar on the bluffs on both sides of the river the country presenting a barren appearance [ ] camped on the bank of the river near some high bluffs [ ] got a young Eagle on the bluffs"
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This is an exciting day! In climbing a high bluff, he saw Chimney Rock in the long distance. This was good news because it was a well know landmark to aim for on the trail west. It meant that they were about half-way to their destination. It was also an indication that their 'easy' trip across the Great Plains was about to change, and the land was going to get harder.
William Clayton:
".......... a while after we halted Porter Rockwell came in and said he had been on the high bluff about a mile N.W. of us and had seen the Rock called Chimney rock from it which appeared a long distance off [ ]we have been in hopes to come in sight of it to day and feel anxious in order to ascertain more certainly the correctness of Fremonts distance [ ] In order to satisfy myself although my feet were blistered and very sore I determined to take my telescope and go on the bluff to ascertain for myself whether the noted rock could be seen or not[ ] at half past 12 I started out alone [ ] I found the distance to the foot of the bluff a good mile the ascent gradual [ ] from the foot the bluff looks very high and rough many huge rocks having broke from the summit from time to time and rolled down a long distance [ ] I found the ascent very steep and lengthy in comparison to its appearance from Camp [ ] when I arrived on the top I found a nice slightly arched surface of about a quarter of an acre in extent but barren and very little grass on it [ ] huge comparatively smooth rocks peeping through the surface [ ] on one of which I wrote with red chalk “Wm. Clayton May 22 1847”. On the highest point I sat down and took a view of the surrounding country which is magnificent indeed [ ]on the South at the distance of 2 miles from the river there is a range of Cedar trees on the bluffs which very much resemble some of the parks and seats of gentry in England [ ] East I could see where we camped last night the high grass being burning N.E.N. & N.W. alternately appeared high swelling bluffs and vallies as far as the eye could see or the glass magnify.....at the distance I should judge of about 20 miles I could see “Chimney Rock” very plain with the naked eye which from here very much resembles the large factory chimneys in England although I could not see the form of its base [ ] the rock lays about due West from here [ ]after gratifying my curiosity and seeing the men collecting their teams for a march I descended on the west side of the bluff......"
