Emigrant Gap
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Emigrant Gap | |
|---|---|
 State Landmark Tablet, Emigrant Gap |
|
| Elevation | ~5,200 ft. / 1,585 m |
| Location | California,  United States |
| Range | Sierra Nevada |
| Coordinates | |
| Traversed by | Interstate 80
(former)U.S. Route 40 Southern Pacific Railroad |
Emigrant Gap or Emigrant Pass is a mountain pass on the California Trail, where it crosses the Sierra Nevada, on the western side of what is now known as Donner Pass. Here the cliffs are so steep that, back in the 1840s, the pioneers on their way to California had to lower their wagons on ropes in order to continue.
The Emigrant Gap was so named because it was the last major obstacle on the emigrant trail by which pioneers, heading west, emigrated from the United States to California, which was part of Mexico until it was captured by the United States in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
There is a California historical marker (number 403) on Interstate 80 commemorating this brave and arduous task. Dedicated on 25 June 1950, it reads:
- The spring of 1845 saw the first covered wagons surmount the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They left this valley, ascended to the ridge, and turned westward to old Emigrant Gap. The wagons were lowered by ropes to the floor of Bear Valley. Hundreds followed before, during, and after the gold rush. This was a hazardous portion of the overland emigrant trail.[1]
Emigrant Gap is located near the town of Emigrant Gap, California.
 |
This California location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it and citing the source of your information. |
