The Mormon Trail travels close to the Platte River for about 500 miles, and for much of that distance it parallels the Oregon and California Trails. Generally, the Oregon and California Trails traveled on the south side of the Platte River, with the Mormon Trail traversing the north side. The Mormon pioneers preferred traveling on the opposite side of the river to avoid potential clashes with former enemies. All emigrants were interested in finding feed for their cattle so if over grazing occurred on one side of the river, emigrants would switch to the opposite side of the river.

Cholera was a threat to travelers along the river. Water-born germs were unknown to the general population in those days and cholera took a toll on many emigrants. One pioneer in the summer of 1864 tells of instructions given to his group of Latter-day Saint by their captain after a couple of people in their group died of cholera. “Captain Thomas Johnson called the camp together and said, 'If you will do as I tell you with regard to the water that you use for drinking I will promise you that there shall not more than five die in this camp with the Cholera.' All believed what he said and did accordingly and the strange promise was literally fulfilled, for just five and no more died. While the gold seekers ahead of us and the Saints behind us were dying at a fearful rate. I will now tell you about the water. The Platte water being muddy, there had been wells dug all along the Platte bottom to get clear water . . . The council was this, to not go near those wells for water but get their water out of the river and drink none without boiling and to fill their churns, teakettles, and everything that they had that would hold water, with boiled water to use while traveling . . . The Lord had respects to the words of his servant and preserved the camp from further sickness and death.”