The pioneers of 1847 reached the Green River the morning of June 30th.

Orson Pratt:

"(THE) GREEN RIVER IS VERY HIGH THERE BEING IN THE CHANNEL FROM 12 TO 15 FEET OF WATER...WITH A VERY RAPID CURRENT."

They immediately began building two rafts for the ferry. Meantime, excitment filled the camp with the unexpected arrival of Samuel Brannan from California.

A year earlier he'd led 238 Mormons from New York City to San Francisco via the tip of South America aboard the ship Brooklyn. Now, he came from the California coast, hoping to persuade Brigham Young to settle there. But, the Mormon leader knew the place for the Saints was in the mountains.