In the 1830's in the wild Wyoming territory a young fur trapper named Jonathan Byrd accompanies his older partner to the yearly Rendezvous in a Rocky Mountain valley. Spring is the time for the trappers to sell their furs, to trade for goods, a time for the fur company men to grow rich off the mountain men's labors. French-Canadians, Americans, Indians all come together for trading purposes. Inevitably Rendezvous turns into drunken revelry once whisky is trotted out. Jonathan Byrd has no taste for whisky, no liking for wild merrymaking or games. He is convinced to try a foot race where the prize is a tall, beautifully marked pony that a Crow Warrior has offered. Jonathan wins the race, but accepts the animal only reluctantly. He is coerced into a shooting match with the chief of the Crows, and at that contest is awarded the Indian's daughter whom he refuses. She will not be chased off. Jonathan has it in mind to give up the high country life and has located a little folded valley called Shywater. Alone, determined he sets out to make a home of Shywater. Before long, however, other Byrds arrive. Jonathan's cousin is a failed farmer and an alcoholic. He has brought his wife, son and infant daughter to Shywater with no thought given as to how he was going to support them in this wild country. Along with them has trailed a pair of men from the wild Texas border country who prove to be wanted killers. Jonathan's "prize" wife has returned to be welcomed, and Jonathan and his Crow wife continue their struggle to make Shywater a place of peace and fulfillment