By this June 1st of 1847, the pioneers had been on the trail nearly eight weeks and had traveled more than 500-miles. Finally, they reached Fort Laramie. This model at today's Fort Laramie shows what it was like.

Here, they found a place to repair wagons, acquire supplies, even meet other Mormon pioneers. Mormons from Mississippi who'd wintered in Pueblo and had been waiting two weeks at Fort Laramie for Brigham Young's group.

Wilford Woodruff:

"NO ONE CAN IMAGINE THE JOY OF FRIENDS MEETING EACH OTHER UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES."

Here they would spend several days crossing the river and preparing to join the Oregon Trail for the arduous journey through the mountains ahead.