Indian Lookout Point
Mormon emigrants traveling west along the north sided of the North Platte River saw many topographical features that were not visible from the south side of the river. These features served as landmarks that guided the Latter-day Saints along their route to the Utah Territory.
Thirty-one miles west of Ash Hollow a line of bluffs called Cobble Hills began to transform the landscape from sand to gravely limestone. At these bluffs on May 22, 1847, Orrin Porter Rockwell, a guide with the vanguard Mormon Pioneer Company, returned to camp stating he "
...had been on the high bluff about a mile northwest and has seen a rock called Chimney Rock."
William Clayton was concerned about the correctness of the distance on the Fremont-Pruess map that they were using as a guide. After hearing that Rockwell had glimpsed Chimney Rock, Clayton decided to see for himself. Although footsore and weary he took his telescope and climbed to the top of the highest bluff to see the famous landmark. He ascertained that at a distance of 20 miles he could see Chimney Rock very plainly with the naked eye. His journal entry states that while he was looking around at the scenery, which he called "romantic,: he was "
...struck at the appearance of a large rock projecting from one corner, which very much resembled a frog's head of immense size with its mouth parts open. The thought was, those bluffs (ought) to be named and what name more appropriate than Frog's Head Bluff..."
Side bar, lower right:
William Clayton: "Crab Creek, 20 feet wide, very shoal... Two miles further will see some high bluffs on the right. By ascending one of the highest you will see Chimney Rock to the west."
Thomas Bullock, Saturday, May 22, 1847 - "...About 11:50 o'clock crossed another shallow creek about 25 or 30 feet wide, then traveled within a forth of a mile & called this site Crab Creek. Camped near a bold Bluff..."
Howard Eagan, Saturday, May 22, 1847 - "...The stream crossed was named Crab Creek, as some of the brethren has seen a very large crab in it. While we were stopped Brother Clayton went up on the bluffs, which were very high and romantic in their appearance. He said he could see Chimney Rock with the naked eye very plain."
Thomas Bullock, July 11, 1848 - "Ascended bold Bluff by Crab Creek and sighted Chimney Rock..."
Catharine Wooley, July 12, 1848 - "Passed Cable's Hill (Cobble Hills). Climbed a bold Bluff with Aunt Minnie to see Chimney Rock... way to then."
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