Emigrant Gap is a gap in a ridge on the California Trail as it crosses the Sierra Nevada, to the west 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. There is a California historical marker (number 403) on Interstate 80 commemorating this brave and arduous task, which was dedicated on June 25, 1950. Emigrant Gap is located near the town of Emigrant Gap, California.