After reaching the Boise River, emigrant wagons traveled 30 miles to find a good crossing about ¼ mile north of here. To avoid a wide zone of shifting channels, they descended Canyon Hill, where the route is still visible. In 1853, Maria Belshaw wrote, "…crossed Boise River at ford, 15 rods wide 3 feet deep, beautiful river, gravel bottom, very clear, large salmon in it." After crossing, the road headed westward along a route that became US 20.