Carson Pass, E Calif., highway pass (elev. 8,650 ft/2,637 m) across the Sierra Nevada, in Alpine co., 17 mi/27 km SSW of S Lake Tahoe. State Highway 88 passes through. In Eldorado Natl. Forest. Discovered by Kit Carson when he guided Frémont’s expedition into Calif. in 1843–1844; it was later crossed by an emigrant trail. Kirkwood Ski Area to W. Also called Kit Carson Pass.
