It was too late! At Prosser Creek, three miles below Truckee, they found themselves encompassed with six inches of snow.

On the summits, the snow was from two to five feet in depth.
This was October 28, 1846.

Almost a month earlier than usual, the Sierra had donned its mantle of ice and snow.

The party were prisoners! "All was consternation.

The wildest confusion prevailed.