We'll Find a Better Way

Joe Walker intended to find a new and better way through the Sierras.  At this point six of his men decided to remain in California.   George Nidever was a talented cabinet maker and later moved to the coast and became a prosperous sea otter hunter.  Walker had no hard feelings for the men who stayed - the whole journey had been voluntary. 

In February 1834, the party of now 52 men left San Juan Bautisa with 315 horses, 47 head of cattle, 30 dogs and traveled parallel to the Sierras, looking for information on any pass through the mountains.  At what is now present day Bakersfield, they turned east up the Kern River and came to a Tubatulabel Indian Village where they learned of a pass and were offered guides to take them. 

Walker was the first white man to travel through Walker Pass - one mile above sea level but far enough south to be snow free in early winter.  In 10 years this would be an important gateway for the settlers. 

Next time...Searching the Sierras