Most
emigrants had been following the south side of the Platte
River for hundreds of miles--this was the best place to
cross. Unlike many other crossings, this river crossing
was was not difficult most years. Thatôs because the Platte
here was often no more than one or two feet deep--althought
it was typically more than a mile wide. Some years, the
Platte River would actually be two miles wide at this point.
The reason for the crossing was simple: for hundreds of
miles, the pioneers had followed the south side of the Platte
River, but the river was about to split in two. If they
stayed on the south side of the river (now the South Platte),
the pioneers would have reached a dead end in Colorado.
So they had to cross the river to connect with the north
branch--called the North Platte.
A
few miles further along the trail was Ash Hollow. Here was
fresh, clean water--a luxury the emigrants had not tasted
for weeks. But getting to Ash Hollow was tricky. The pioneers
had to negotiate a very steep hill. Sometimes they would
let the wagons down with ropes--or get a dozen men to hold
on as "human brakes." Occasionally, the brakesmen
would lose control of a wagon and a severe crash would result.
Once
they reached the bottom, Ash Hollow was a welcome site.
The trees were the first the pioneers had seen for 100 miles.
Most of the wagon trains would rest at Ash Hollow for a
day or two.
Emigrant
E. B. Farnham:
"This is the best looking place we have seen for
some time. It is a cool shady looking place fragrant with
different kinds of flowers of which rose and jasmine are
the principle. Grape vines and currant bushes are plenteous."
Captain
Howard Stansbury:
"Several springs of delightfully cold and refreshing
water were found, altogether the best that has been met
with since leaving Missouri."
Ash
Hollow State Historical Park
Official site of the state park
