On April 7, 1844, John Charles Fremont passed within sight of this spot while crossing from the San Joaquin River to the Kings River with his mountain men guides Thomas "Broken Hand" Fitzpatrick, Kit Carson, and Alex Godey. He described a vast prairie with great bands of elk, wild horses, and antelope, while wolves stalked young animals nearby. He returned in 1846 and took part in the Mexican War. In that war he was served by James D. Savage, who later became a trader friend of the Indians, commander of the Mariposa Battalion, and discoverer of Yosemite. Fremont later became recognized as a pathfinder, U.S. Senator, Civil War general, and presidential candidate.