Pilot Peak.

Pilot Peak. The high, symmetrically shaped mountain seen rising to the north is Pilot Peak, named by John C. Fremont on his expedition of 1845.  Previously, the Bartleson-Bidwell party camped here in 1841.  These emigrants had traveled one day and night across the Great Salt Lake Desert to find their first water here.

In the period 1845-1850, the peak was a famous landmark and symbol of hope and relief to the Reed-Donner Party and all other wagon train pioneers who traveled the 70-odd miles of deadly, thirst-and-heat-ridden steps across the Great Salt Lake Desert.  This desert represented the worst section of the infamous Hastings Cutoff of the California Emigrant Trail.

STATE HISTORIC