once decided Amador County elections as its votes were always counted last. Irishtown, at the intersection of Pine Grove Wieland Rd. in Pine Grove—This was an important stopping place for emigrants on their way to the southern mines. The first white settlers on this spot found it a "city of wigwams," and hundreds of mortars in the rocks testify that this was a favorite Indian camping ground. Maiden's Grave, burial place of Rachel Melton (d. 1850), a young girl who died while traveling to California via covered wagon (postmile AMA 61.3) Cooks Station, a store and restaurant built in the 1860s and still in operation, elevation Ham's Station is a historic restaurant and convenience store, first established in 1855, with current structures built cerca 1879. It originally served as a toll station on the highway. Tragedy Spring, where 3 of the Mormons who helped build the Mormon Emigrant Trail were killed. Two markers note the original alignment of the Old Emigrant Road that was bypassed with the construction via the Carson Spur. One is at the intersection of Mud Lake Rd (postmile AMA 63.1). The second marker is at postmile ALP 2.4, at Caples Lake. The Kit Carson Marker (CHL #315, postmile ALP 5.2), at the summit of Carson Pass, marks where Carson carved his name into a tree in 1844 while guiding John C. Frémont through the Sierra Nevada. The original can be found at Sutter's Fort, Sacramento. On some large rocks near Carson Pass, a group of pioneers inscribed their names and the emblem of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1849 (postmile ALP 5.3). Major intersections See also Eldorado National Forest, Amador Ranger Station, Pioneer Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, Pine Grove Mount Zion State Park, Pine Grove Sorensen's Resort, Hope Valley References External links Caltrans Road Conditions AARoads: State Route 88 California Highways: State Route 88 Eric Buchanan's Highway 88 Photos 088 088 State Route 088 State Route 088 State Route 088 Eldorado National Forest