This reference to the cutoff is a clue that they were following what was known as the "dry route" from Fort Larned to Fort Dodge. That route did not follow the Arkansas River, but ran slightly farther west and reconnected with the river at Fort Dodge. Note that three days later (Tuesday) he refers to getting back to the Arkansas River again when the "dry route" and the "wet route" converged. In the map below the dry route can be seen to the left of the main trail that stayed close to the river.