Friday, 24th. As we descended the stream, it rapidly increased in size, and proved to be a branch of a larger stream. The country was desolate and barren, excepting immediately on the streams, where grew a few willows and cottonwoods; the hills in a few places produced a few shrubby cedars. Traveled today about 20 miles.

The creek they were following has joined the South Fork of the Mary’s river. Not that they know that, but at least they have access to water and grass. Numerous small streams flow out of the canyons of the Ruby Mountains join and form the South Fork. The South Fork flows northward, and they want to go west, so they are still wondering when they will be headed in the right direction.

Jimmy John noted in his journal that they killed an ox for food here.