History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

ARRIVAL AT UTAH LAKE. 11
from proceeding, pretending ignorance of the country
and danger from the Comanches. But the 3d of September
saw them again on their way. Pursuing a
north-west course, the second day they crossed and
camped on the north bank of the Rio San Rafael, or
Colorado, 11 in latitude 41° 4'. Their course thence
was north-westerly, and on the 9th they crossed a
river called San Clemente, 12 flowing west. Signs of
buffaloes were abundant, and on the 11th they killed
one. Two days afterward they crossed the Rio de
San Buenaventura, 13 the boundary between the Yutas
and the Comanches, in latitude 41° 19', at a place
which the priests call Santa Cruz. Here were six large
black poplars, on one of which they left an inscription.
After resting two days they took the course of the
San Buenaventura south-west ten leagues, and from
a hill saw the junction of the San Clemente. Descending
a little farther they found a river flowing in from
the west, following which they reached a branch the
17th, naming it the San Cosme. 14
From this point they proceeded westward, following
up the Uintah, across the Duchesne, and over the
mountains, with no small difficulty, to a river which
they called Purisima, 15 and which they followed till
on the 23d they came in sight of the lake which the
natives called Timpanogos, but which is known now
as Utah Lake.
Several reasons combined to bring the Spaniards
so far to the north of what would be a direct road
11 GraDd River; but the latitude given was about 1° 30' too high.
12 White River, the point of crossing being near the Utah line.
13 Green River. The latitude given is at least 50' too high. The crossing
was above the junctions of White River and the Uintah with Green River.
See Rep. Fr. Alonso de Posada, custodio de N. Mex., in Doc. Hid. Mex., i.
439.
14 This is the north branch of the Uintah. Indeed the narrative of the
explorers makes their route in this vicinity unmistakable.
la Now the Timpanogos. 'Proseguimos al noroeste media legua, pasamos a
la otra banda del rio, snbimos una corta cuesta y divisamos la laguna y dilatado
valle de Nuestra Seiiora de la Merced de los Timpanogotzis—asi lo nombramos
desde aqui.' Diario, Doc. Hid. Mex., serie ii. torn. i. 454.