Travelers on both the main route and the Sublette Cutoff had to cross the Big Sandy River. The main route crossed the Big Sandy in Farson, WY. On the Sublette Cutoff, the crossing is nine miles west of Parting of the Ways, northwest of today’s Eden Reservoir. Both crossings could be difficult.

Between Big Sandy and the Green River, the emigrants faced many long miles without water. If they were lucky, recent rains might have left small pools but these were infrequent and could not to be counted on. Therefore, the Big Sandy became an important watering site. Usually, the emigrants would fill every available container and then wait for dusk so they could take advantage of the cooler night to cross the desert. While they would still have many miles to go when the sun rose, they could hope that the morning dew would provide some meager fluid for their livestock.

J. Goldsborough Bruff described the Big Sandy as "a larger edition of the Little Sandy," not exactly a ringing endorsement. Excellent pristine ruts can be found near both of the crossings. Highway 28 running southwest of Farson parallels the main route and the swales are often visible alongside the highway, sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left.

National Park Service Comprehensive Management Plan
Currently there are few threats because of limited access; however, vehicle overuse in the future could threaten nearby ruts, as well as degrade the nature of the river crossing. The site is not listed on the National Register.

Ownership
Public (BLM)/Private

Directions
Sweetwater County, Wyoming. T26N/R106W

Just past the intersection of Highways 28 and 191 in Farson, there are two historical markers. A few yards south of these markers, a modern bridge crosses the Big Sandy. This is also where the main route forded. The Big Sandy crossing on the Sublette is very difficult to reach because of irrigation canals.