Approaching the Sweetwater

This is the view as the trail approached the Sweetwater River. Independence Rock, where the trail met the river, is visible just ahead as a low rock hillock, with the much higher Sentinel Rocks behind.

Pronghorn antelope, with the Granite Mountains as backdrop

The last obstacle before reaching the welcomed refreshment of the Sweetwater River was the crossing of a foul-smelling dry lake bed. Some would gather the alkaline crust, or "saleraetus" as they called it, to use as a substitute for baking powder. While it reportedly gave a greenish hue to the bread, many swore it was as good as any they had ever used. Panorama photo -- scroll right