A part of the company desired to remain and follow the guide. The others had lost all confidence in his knowledge as a guide in the Rocky Mountain country, and wished to start today and follow the small stream down to Bear River valley, where it was thought to flow.
A vote of the company was taken on the question and the latter party was in the majority.
We started at 8 o’clock and travelled down the stream a distance of about 22 miles, where we intersected Bear River valley near the mouth of Smith’s Fork where the road crosses the same. We traveled three miles farther and camped on Bear River.
Our road today was wellnigh impassable. We are once again on the California trail after having wandered in the mountains for twelve days. Many ox teams that were behind us when we left the road on the Sweetwater River, are now many miles in advance of us. This route has been christened “Thing’s Cutoff.” A majority of the company was in favor of trying it, relying on Captain Thing’s knowledge of the country and experience.
Monday, August 13.
Traveled ten miles down the river, crossed Thomas’ Fork and camped.
Bear River valley is very beautiful and possesses a fertile soil, but the altitude is high. The nights are probably frosty.
Bear River discharges its waters into Great Salt Lake at its northern extremity. The River Jordan also discharges its Salt Lake at its south side, and yet the lake has no visible outlet. (Distance, 10 miles.)
Tuesday, August 14.
In the forenoon we passed over a high spur of the mountains and intersected the river again near Peg Leg Smith’s, an old one-legged trader who has lived here among the Indians fourteen years. He has a small log cabin and one or two other small buildings.