On November 28, 1846, the Mormon Battalion of the U. S. Army West crossed these mountains near this summit en route to California during the Mexican War. Colonel Cooke had dispatched scouts ahead to find the best route. An Indian guide, Charbonneau, while scouting ahead was attacked by three grizzly bears. He killed one bear, which provided meat for the troops. Lieutenant Stoneman with 21 men could not find a suitable route down the mountain. They began cutting a road, but the task was too laborious and progress was slow. Colonel Cooke then ordered the wagons unloaded and the supplies packed on horses and mules for transport down the mountain. The wagons were lowered down the 40% grade by ropes. One wagon crashed to the canyon bottom. Henry Bigler wrote, "no other man but Cooke would attempt to cross wagons at such a place. Cooke had the spirit of a Bonaparte."