America’s Historic Roads
Puzzle 35 · Mountain Passes and Wagon Roads · Page 55 in print
Carson Pass
From 1856 to 1876, John “Snowshoe” Thompson carried winter mail along the Carson route.
Jump to a word
The words
Big Tree Road
1856 road promoted by merchants.
Caples Lake
Site of the Caples family way station.
Carson Canyon
Gold-rush approach on the Carson route.
Devil's Ladder
Steep ascent on the Carson route.
Forty Niners
Gold seekers who used this route.
Genoa
Eastern endpoint of Thompson’s mail journey.
Handmade Skis
Equipment Thompson used to carry winter mail.
Hope Valley
Valley crossed before Red Lake on the Carson River Route.
John Thompson
Mail carrier known as Snowshoe Thompson.
Kit Carson
Scout who guided Frémont over the Sierra and inscribed his name at Carson Pass in 1844.
Overhang
Rock shelter used by Thompson.
Placerville
Western endpoint of Thompson’s mail journey.
Red Lake
Lake below Carson Pass reached by emigrant wagons.
Way Station
Stopping place established by the Caples family at Caples Lake on the Carson route.
West Pass
Second summit on the Carson route.
Sources
- OCTA newsletter, March 2013 (California National Historic Trail)National Park Service
- Devils Ladder, Carson RouteNational Park Service
- AlpineCalifornia Office of Historic Preservation