Through this natural gateway the Death Valley Forty-Niners, more than 100 emigrants from the Middle West, seeking a shortcut to gold fields of central California, entered Death Valley, December, 1849. All suffered from thirst and starvation. Two contingents passed southward here, the others proceeded northward seeking to escape from region.

State Registered Landmark No. 442

Marker Placed By California Centennials Commission
Base Furnished By Death Valley 49ers, Inc.
Dedicated December 3, 1949