On California Route 88, on the left when traveling east.
"A part of the way the rocks cover the ground so large that it is with the greatest difficulty that we can find a place to drive our waggons [sic] through the trail is quite crooked" - Amasa Morgan, Jul 24, 1849 — — Map (db m211141) HM
On Crystal Springs Road, on the right when traveling west.
"The river here is…filled with large rocks. We crossed on a bridge but expect to ford the next times…We started through Mad Canyon which is rightly named…the hardest place for teams I ever saw" - Caroline L. Richardson, Sep 12, 1852 — — Map (db m211142) HM
On Carson Pass Highway (California Route 88) at Emigrant Trail, on the left when traveling east on Carson Pass Highway.
"Thence over a high sloping stony hill (sloping to the river) and down a steep hill to a canon or pass creek, where comes the first tug of war! Through the first range of the Sierra Nevada mountains" - Giles S. Isham, Aug 5, 1850 — — Map (db m211139) HM
On Diamond Valley Road just west of Airport Road, on the left when traveling east.
This marks the home of John Albert Thomson (Snowshoe Thomson), great pioneer of the Sierra and hero of the mountains, who for twenty winters carried the mail over deep snow of the mountains on his long skiis [sic], giving help to those in . . . — — Map (db m209084) HM
Bedrock mortars were made by Native California Women. The cup shapes were worn smooth by repeated pounding and grinding for use in processing food. Both the Washoe and Miwuk Tribes traversed and summered in this high Central Sierra Region. Although . . . — — Map (db m10998) HM
Through his life’s dreams and efforts. Thousands enjoy skiing, good water, scenic meadows and preservation of Bear Valley’s natural beauty.
In Appreciation — — Map (db m10965) HM
Near Station House Road just west of Toll Gate Road.
This Sierra Crossing used by Jedediah Smith 1821 - Major John Ebbetts 1850 - Snowshoe Thompson 1856-76 - Gold Seekers 1850's. Old road left Carson Pass Road in Hope Valley, crossed Border Ruffian Pass to Hermit Valley, Pacific Summit and through . . . — — Map (db m10730) HM
About 200 yards offshore, in what was once Silver Valley lies the Reynold’s House. This house appears on an 1878 General Land Office map and was probably one of the many road houses along the route that catered to tourists and travelers. Reynold’s . . . — — Map (db m10999) HM
On Blue Lakes Road, on the right when traveling south.
The Carson River Route saw more wagon travel during the peak of the Gold Rush than any other emigrant trail. Most of these were Gold seekers headed for the diggings in Placerville, Volcano, Jackson, and Sutter Creek. In 1855, the California State . . . — — Map (db m211982) HM
On Carson Pass Highway (State Highway 88), on the right when traveling east.
In 1849 Dr. James Caples passed through here on his way to California’s gold country.
After a brief stay in Old Hangtown (Placerville) Caples remembered the lake and returned here with his family to establish a way station that served weary . . . — — Map (db m11048) HM
Near Carson Pass Scenic Byway (California Route 88).
Front of Marker
"After dinner we crossed the first mountain. The ascent is half a mile and much like going up the side of a house in steepness. With hughe stones in the road, aside the road and all around the road."- Henry Sheldon Anable, . . . — — Map (db m148705) HM
On "Additional Parking" Road near Carson Pass Scenic Byway (California Highway 88).
Below this ridge is what some pioneers dubbed the “Devils Ladder.” A name reflecting the steepness and extreme difficulty that pioneers experienced as they began their ascent over the Sierra Nevada. This climb was usually referred to as . . . — — Map (db m21284) HM
This building has been the pioneer home of the Kirkwood and Taylor families since it was built by Zachary Kirkwood in 1864. This building was one of the first resorts operated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. — — Map (db m100580) HM
Near Carson Pass Scenic Byway (State Highway 88), on the right.
On this spot, which marks the summit of the Kit Carson Pass, stood what was known as the Kit Carson Tree on which the famous scout Kit Carson inscribed his name in 1844 when he guided the then Captain John C. Fremont, head of a government exploring . . . — — Map (db m100568) HM
At this point in August 1849, a group of Odd Fellows nearing their goal, the California gold mines, paused in their struggle up these granite walls, to paint on this and adjacent boulders their names and the three links of the Great Order they so . . . — — Map (db m100569) HM
On The "Additional Parking" Road at Carson Pass Scenic Byway (California Highway 88) on The "Additional Parking" Road.
In February of 1844, John C. Fremont led a group of men over these mountains as they struggled to reach Sutter’s Fort. Little did they know that the pass, which lay 20 to 30 feet under the snow beneath them, would be a major route for the Gold Rush . . . — — Map (db m21278) HM
On Carson Pass Scenic Byway (State Highway 88), on the right when traveling east. Reported missing.
Here the Old Emigrant Road of 1848 swung down across the meadow now covered by Caples Lake (Twin Lakes) and climbed along the ridge at the right to the gap at the head of the valley. From this summit (9,460 feet) it descended to Placerville. This . . . — — Map (db m100570) HM
On Carson Pass Highway (California Route 88) at Mud Flat Road, on the right when traveling east on Carson Pass Highway.
At this place the highway crosses the site of the old emigrant road which here began a long loop around the Silver Lake basin, taking it to an elevation of 9,640 feet at one place. This difficult portion of the road was used by thousands of . . . — — Map (db m175821) HM
On Carson Pass Scenic Byway (State Highway 88), on the right when traveling east.
“…there ought to be a shaft raised to Snow-Shoe Thompson: Not of marble; Not carved and not planted in the valley, but a rough shaft of basalt or of granite, massive and tall, with top ending roughly as if broken short, to represent a life . . . — — Map (db m12028) HM
On California 88, on the right when traveling east.
In 1849 Mary Jane Walker Caples, along with her brother, husband James, and baby daughter Isabella, traveled overland by wagon to the gold fields of California. The Caples went to “Hangtown,” (Placerville,CA) to seek their fortune. James . . . — — Map (db m44987) HM
On Alpine State Highway (California Route 89) at Water Street, on the right when traveling north on Alpine State Highway.
This building was designed by Frederic J. DeLongchamp, a designer and engineer of mining, born in Reno, Nevada, on June 2, 1882 and educated in Nevada. He designed 500 buildings, libraries, hotels, and post offices in the counties of the State of . . . — — Map (db m635) HM
The construction of this historical complex was initiated in 1964, "Alpine County's Centennial Year", by the Historical Society of Alpine County. With concerted effort and fortitude it was completed and duly dedicated as a historical landmark on . . . — — Map (db m3088) HM
On State Highway 4/89 at Montgomery Street, on the right when traveling south on State Highway 4/89.
Originally built in 1862 as the Fiske House in Silver Mountain City. It was dismantled, board by board, in 1886 by A.M. Grover and a crew of men. Each board was marked and many of the old square nails were saved. It was re-erected on this site and . . . — — Map (db m20631) HM
Summer after summer the Washoe Indian people visited the valley. Eventually their idyllic retreat was discovered.
During the winter of 1844 Captain John Fremont may have seen this place during his crossing of the Sierra. Fremont’s diary of his . . . — — Map (db m11001) HM
On Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway (State Highway 4), on the left when traveling east.
Named after Major John Ebbett and pointed out in 1853 to surveyor G.H. Goodard who referred to it as a “route of great promise – probably the best one for a transcontinental railway.”
No emigrant train used this route but a . . . — — Map (db m11444) HM
Telltale signs of geologic activity surround Grover Hot Springs State Park. Bold granite peaks to the northwest are the work of immense mountain building forces. Old lava flows cover hundreds of square miles to the east, giving the Markleeville area . . . — — Map (db m13239) HM
On December 18, 1872, Ernst Reusch, a jealous husband shot and killed E.H. Erickson through the window of Erickson’s Saloon in Silver Mountain City as Erickson played cards. Reusch believed that Erickson had been having an affair with his wife and . . . — — Map (db m116094) HM
On Ebbetts Pass (State Highway 4), on the right when traveling east.
In 1856 a road was completed following the present sign route 4 from Murphys to this point, and thence northward via Faith and Charity Valleys to Hope Valley where it joined the Carson Pass Road. This connection was used by emigrants in 1856 and . . . — — Map (db m10316) HM
Near Alpine State Highway (California Route 89) south of Water Street, on the left when traveling south.
On September 12, 1861, Jacob Markley staked out a land claim of 160 acres, a parcel that included this site. Markley erected a 16 by 20 foot log cabin somewhere near this plaque, covering it with shakes made from local Sugar Pine. He also built a . . . — — Map (db m157808) HM
On August 2, 1885, fire broke out in the Town of Markleeville destroying several buildings, including Harvey and Rask’s Bucher Shop and Smokehouse. Later on in the Fall, the building was rebuilt and reopened as Rask’s Butcher Shop.
The building . . . — — Map (db m11963) HM
In 1875, the Alpine County seat was moved from Silver Mountain (Kongsberg) to Markleeville. A new jail being needed, a foundation was laid using logs. The iron cells from the old jail were placed thereon and using the mortise and tenon method the . . . — — Map (db m3007) HM
Built by the citizens of Markleeville in 1882 it remained in operation until 1929 when the new Webster School was completed. In 1966, with the old school on the verge of total destruction, the Historical Society of Alpine County began to raise funds . . . — — Map (db m3006) HM
On Ebbets Pass Scenic Highway (State Highway 4), on the right when traveling east.
Settled by Scandinavian miners in 1858, - then called Kongsberg. Renamed Silver Mountain in 1863 and made county seat of Alpine County Aug. 11th, 1864. During the Sixties, the town supported a post-office, two newspapers, express office, telegraph . . . — — Map (db m58786) HM
On Diamond Valley Road, 3 miles east of California Highway 89, on the right when traveling west.
This marks the home of John Albert Thompson (Snowshoe Thompson) great pioneer of the Sierras and hero of the mountains, who for twenty winters carried the mail over the deep snow of the mountains on his long skies: Giving help to those in need along . . . — — Map (db m21302) HM
On Diamond Valley Road, 3 miles east of California Highway 89, on the right when traveling west.
John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson (1827-1876) Native of Norway who carried mail across the Sierra Nevada on skis, assisting the needful for twenty years, dwelt and died on this site.
Dedicated on June 30, 1990
Native Sons of the Golden . . . — — Map (db m21301) HM
On Carson Pass Highway (California Route 88 at milepost 6.4) east of Red Vista Road, on the right when traveling east.
[The first paragraph of the marker is unreadable]
One of the most popular passes through the Sierras along the Emigrant Trail was Carson Pass. This Pass was discovered by Kit Carson, a guide to the Fremont Party.
The Fremont Party, led by John . . . — — Map (db m223952) HM
On Main Street (Route 89) north of Montgomery Street, on the right when traveling north.
Markleeville had few amenities during its rollicking youth, though like most respectable
pioneer towns, it boasted a hurdy house. These establishments provided the predominantly
male population a chance to unwind with a drink and possibly . . . — — Map (db m169617) HM
The Raymond Mining District was in operation from 1863 – 1869. It was located roughly four miles north of Silver Mountain and four miles south-west of Markleeville, along Krumm Creek entering Pleasant Valley. Named for R. W. Raymond, who . . . — — Map (db m116092) HM
On Montgomery Street at Laramie Street, on the left when traveling west on Montgomery Street.
This building was designed by Frederic J. DeLongchamps, a designer and engineer of mining, born in Reno, Nevada, on June 2, 1882, and educated in Nevada. He designed 500 buildings, including schools, courthouses, commercial structures, and . . . — — Map (db m3089) HM
On Luther Pass Road (California Route 89) 4 miles north of California Route 88, on the left when traveling north.
"Passed over the summit of the first range and came to [Grass] lake situated nearly on the summit of the mountain....We began our decent [sic] down the mountain over as rough a road as we came up, into Lake Valley" - Luman A. Scott, Sep 8, 1859 — — Map (db m212025) HM
Near Luther Pass Road (California Route 89), on the left when traveling north.
"Then up hill [from Hope Valley] and away, steep and rugged and we at last gain the first summit of the Nevada Mountains [at Luther Pass] and down t'other side more rugged than ever" - John McTurk Gibson, Sep 3 1859... — — Map (db m212003) HM
On Burnside Road, on the right when traveling south.
"We immerged [sic] from the canon [sic] into a pretty valley in between two ranges of high mountains. Pretty pine trees were scattered over a small grass lawn, and a beautiful mountain stream passed through it." - Lorena L. Hayes, Sep . . . — — Map (db m211992) HM
On Burnside Road, on the right when traveling south.
"We crossed Carson River, for here we leave the Carson Route and take what is called the Johnson Route or 'Johnson's Cut-Off to Hangtown'." - J. Robert Brown, Sep 25, 1856 — — Map (db m211987) HM
On Burnside Road south of Carson Pass Highway (California Route 88), on the right when traveling south.
"We crossed Carson River, for here we leave the Carson Route and take what is called the Johnson Route or 'Johnson's Cut-Off to Hangtown'."
- J. Robert Brown, Sep 25, 1856 — — Map (db m212969) HM
On Old Pony Express Way (California Route 88) east of California Route 89, on the right when traveling east.
During the initial five weeks of its operation in 1860, an important remount station of the famous Pony Express was located a few feet from here at Cary’s Barn.
This monument erected by the Historical Society of Alpine County.
National . . . — — Map (db m143520) HM
Daniel Woodford started his hotel, The Sign Of The Elephant, sometime between 1849 and 1857. The Sign Of The Elephant reflects a popular expression of the day for finding something unique or notable. The hotel served travelers along the Old Emigrant . . . — — Map (db m195368) HM
On Old Pony Express Way (California Route 88) east of California Route 89, on the left when traveling east.
Historic Woodfords Station, the Eastern Sierra gateway to the goldfields of California, way station of the famed Pony Express, and entrance to Carson Pass on the Emigrant Trail to the Sacramento Valley. Beginning in 1849 with the building of the . . . — — Map (db m195369) HM
