The Elkhorn River became the first major obstacle for Mormon pioneers on their trek west. Several men had been sent out a week earlier to build a raft for ferrying wagons. They made one from the trunks of cottonwood trees.

This day, April 10th, the first groups arrived and began crossing the stream.

Thomas Bullock Journal: "...ON OUR ARRIVAL WE FOUND THAT THE RIVER WE HAD SEEN IN THE DISTANCE WAS NONE OTHER THAN THE CELEBRATED 'PLATTE' THE HIGHWAY OF OUR FUTURE JOURNEY."

They continued ferrying wagons across the Elkhorn into the evening. As night approached, the camp assigned eight men to stand guard because Indians had been seen prowling about.