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Journal of Western Travel
by John McTurk Gibson
edited by Weldon Hoppe
July 1st, 1859 -- Were told this morning, that it was only ten miles across from the Sweetwater to where we would strike it again, so I left the teams, and with my little brother-in-law went a hunting, following the river, climbing precipices, and descending them again almost perpendicularly, saw any amount of snow, crossed ravines several times on the top it. While resting on a cliff I observed some geese away below me on the other side of the river, over 200 yards off shot one, and waded the river swift as a mill- tail to get it, chased some antelopes, killed one, and after packing it and the goose for several miles, we accidentally came across the teams, camped on a creek 16 miles from the morning camp, and still 9 miles from the river yet. Two more of the boys are still out. I expect they kept up the river to the crossing.Powell
Travelled 16 miles. We travelled up the river 4 miles then left it for a distance of 27 miles. We found some springs 4 miles from the river, another 7, all excellent water. A small creek 12 from the river. We are camped by this creek. We saw snow by the road side and we throwed some snow balls at each other. We passed over some hilly roads to day. The boys killed a young antelope and a goose. Bart Bellows and Badger are hunting. They will be out all knight as they followed the river up this morning. Expected to come to the road in a few miles. Gibson got in at dark.