"the morning cold with occasionally some specks of snow [ ] we again resumed our journey [ ] distance 16 1/2 miles [ ] the day was blustry and cold [ ] in the afternoon a party of 35 Sioux Indians crossed the river to our camp to visit us [ ] they were friendly and camped near us and were around our camp in the morning [ ] some of the Brethern traded with them for ponys robes mockasins and so forth"
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The pioneers now have been on the trail 40 days. They are about two days from Chimney Rock and they know it.
They knew it before they left Winter Quarters. In a few days they will take a trail south and split from the Oregon Trail.
They will begin to follow the Hasting's cutoff that the Donner Party traveled a year before on into the valley. William Clayton estimated the mileage between Winter Quarters and Chimney Rock roughly 440 miles.
