When encamped at Nevada's Carson Valley on January 31, 1844, Frémont decided to detour west during the winter conditions to Sutter's Fort in California for supplies.

The Washoe were right in that they were not able to find food or game, and they ended up resorting to eating dogs, horses, and mules just to survive.

On February 21, the expedition made it through the now-named Carson pass west of Red Lake and arrived at Sutter's Fort on March 6 with no fatalities.

The Carson Trail became one of the primary routes across the Sierra used by overland immigrants to California in the Gold Rush era.

Brigham Young evacuated Mormon settlers around Carson Pass in July 1857, shortly after the breakout of the Utah War.