Crossing the Green River

Crossing the Green River. The Oregon Trail. Crossing rivers was the most dangerous activity emigrants faced on their journey west. By the time weary pioneers enroute (sic) to Oregon, California, or Utah reached the east bank of the Green River, they had been on the trail for several months. Utah was close, but those going to Oregon or California were only halfway there. , Though crossing the Green had its perils, most emigrants were happy to see the cool water and lush cottonwood groves with grass for their hungry animals, firewood instead of buffalo chips, and the chance to camp under trees - a rare opportunity in western Wyoming. , Before spring runoff and in late summer when the water level of the Green was low, fords provided relatively safe crossings. However, most emigrants reached the Green River at the height of its annual flood when it flowed swift, wide and deep. , Several enterprising pioneers settled along the river and established ferries to float emigrant wagons across. Ferry prices were usually high ranging from $3 to $16 per wagon and were virtually the only way to cross the river. Ferry prices sometimes changed daily to correspond with the changes in the river level. It often took several days for large wagon trains to cross the river. , As the number of people headed west swelled into tens of thousands each year, the number of ferries on the Green increased also. As many as 50 ferries are thought to have operated along the 50-mile corridor of the Green River Valley crossed by emigrant trails.