Show 66 account often cited: "It was Bridger who stooping down for a drink was astonished to find the water salt and exclaimed as he spat it out: ’Hell we are on the shores of the Pacific”"16 great deal of importance is attached to this voyage on the Bear river Just what time of year was it made? The importance lies in the possibility of both Jedediah Smith and Etienne Provo t having also visited the lake during the winter of 1824 or early spring of 1825 If Bridger made his discovery during the late fall he probably reached the lake before either of the other two It is the opinion of the A writer that this was the case Usually fall weather is peaceful and open with few storms affording an ideal time for such an expedition The river is low and calm during the fall yet it contains plenty of water to float such a small craft It often freezes during the winter In the spring the river would be filled to the banks with flood-wate- rs All sorts of debris and possibly floating ice would add additional hazards to such a voyage Logic then points to the fact that Bridger probably reached the lake sometime in the fall of 1824 About this same time (1824) Etienne Provot was also un- as Lake Great Salt the toward yet an expedition leading from melting snow Allen Kevins Fremont I 155 |