Crossing the Green River was often the most dangerous part of the westward journey for emigrants bound for Oregon, California, or Utah. By the time pioneers reached the east bank of the Green River after several months on the trail, Utah was close, but those continuing to Oregon or California were only halfway to their destinations. Although the river was perilous, many welcomed its cool water, cottonwood groves, grass for animals, firewood instead of buffalo chips, and the rare chance to camp under trees in western Wyoming. When the water was low before spring runoff and in late summer, fords offered relatively safe crossings, but most emigrants arrived during the annual flood, when the river ran swift, wide, and deep. In response, settlers along the river established ferries to carry wagons across, usually charging high prices of $3 to $16 per wagon, with rates sometimes changing daily as the river level changed. Large wagon trains often needed several days to cross, and as westbound travel grew into tens of thousands each year, ferry operations expanded as well, with as many as 50 ferries operating along the 50-mile corridor of the Green River Valley crossed by emigrant trails.