15th. Very cold day; have to wear our overcoats and mittens. Rained all
night and forenoon, with a right smart chance of a snow storm. After
the snow storm had blown out we had one of the most splendid views of
the Rocky Mountains that the mind could conceive. They were clothed
with pure white snow from base to summit, gigantic specimens of
Nature's monuments. Passed some small creeks to-day furnishing some
good water; also several alkali lakes and swamps. Thousands of wagon
loads of pure saleratus and pearlash could be got here. The crusting
over some of the swamps readily supported a man walking upon it. We
gathered some for use and found it much stronger than the manufactured
article, but think it contains some poisonous property, as the bread
made of it affected us disagreeably. I should advise all to observe
caution in using it. Passed the Independence Rock, which is a huge mass
of granite covered with the names of thousands who have gone before us.
Crossed the Sweet Water river, which is about 10 rods wide, and three
feet deep at the ford, and camped one mile from the crossing.