Casting Lots

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Casting Lots

Constantly affraid they would encounter Indians; they entered the Utah Valley near present day Provo, Utah without encountering any. Turning south they trudged on. Just north of present day Cedar City, Utah the expedition turned west. Thinking this would take them directly to California. It would have but fate was not on their side. Snowstorms and freezing temperatures soon dampened their spirits. They entered into the Escalante Desert or Escalante Valley as it is called now.
Here they would be "Casting Lots" at a mineral hot springs. Today you can visit this area and see the monument placed in their honor.

The hardships in a strange land had been overwhelming. Thirst, heat, coldness, constant fear of unknown Indians, all made them weak and tired. Having eaten the cattle they brought with them and the jerky they made, there was only one thing left to eat. They were forced to eat their mules.

With lack of supplies for winter weather and no reserved food they decided to head back to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Southward was the best way to go. Little did they know the return trip was going to be worse than the one they had already encountered.