The words of McGlashan may now best serve our purpose.
"Generally, the ascent of the Sierra brought joy and gladness to weary overland emigrants.

To the Donner Party it brought terror and dismay.
The company had hardly obtained a glimpse of the mountains, ere the winter storm clouds began to assemble their hosts around the loftier crests.

Every day the weather appeared more ominous and threatening.

The delay at the Truckee Meadows had been brief, but every day ultimately cost a dozen lives.

On the twenty-third of October, they became thoroughly alarmed at the angry heralds of the gathering storm, and with all haste resumed the journey.