The road to Fort Thomas went southwest to the town of Bonita before turning north and following the western side of Mount Graham. About from Fort Grant the road entered a pass leading to the Gila River valley. Wham's convoy reached Cedar Springs, in the pass, around noon and swapped their mules for a fresh set that were waiting at the NN ranch. Campbell, whose horse was faster than Wham's wagons, waited at a stagecoach half-way station a short distance further down the road. The station was operated by Mormon polygamist Wiley Holladay. Holladay was away that day, leaving his wives, Harriet and Eliza, to run the place. Wham and his escort reached the station around 12:45 PM, at which time Campbell rejoined the group.