OPEN
ALL LANES CLEAR
Last updated at: NOV 15, 2026, 5:56 AM PST · Caltrans
Live Caltrans status, chain controls, and cameras for SR-88 over Carson Pass, Kirkwood to Hope Valley.
133 - EB SR 88 Pine Grove
Pine Grove|landscape2,575 ft
133 - EB SR 88 Pine Grove
Pine Grove · 2,575 ft
1 of 1
LUMBER YARD
Meiss · 6,512 ft
LUMBER YARD
Grizzly Flats · 6,545 ft
PEDDLER VISTA
Kit Carson · 6,830 ft
IRON MT RD
Kit Carson · 7,604 ft
SILVER LAKE
Pioneer · 7,319 ft
MARTIN MEADOW
Pioneer · 7,621 ft
2 MILES WO KIRKWOOD - CARSON SPUR
Pioneer · 7,972 ft
KIRKWOOD
Kirkwood · 7,811 ft
KIRKWOOD - CARSON SPUR
Pioneer · 7,775 ft
Check Current Highway Conditions
This highway information is the latest reported as of Sunday, November 15th, 2026 at 05:56 AM.
IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA
Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Silver Lake (Amador Co) to 5 mi west of Picketts Jct (Alpine Co)
Incoming storms, road conditions, and resort news, straight to your inbox.
Watching the sky over the pass? See Carson Pass weather, with current conditions and the forecast for the summit.
Check the live chain controls for every Sierra pass before you leave, not just Carson.
Read the chain guide for what R-0, R-1, R-2, and R-3 mean, and what to carry in the car.
For the whole highway, Jackson to the Nevada line, see the full SR-88 road conditions page.
Live road conditions for SR-88 over Carson Pass, from Silver Lake and Kirkwood, over the summit at Caples Lake, and down past Red Lake Creek to Hope Valley. Carson Pass is the high route to Kirkwood and the back way between the Amador foothills and the Carson Valley. The status above is the live Caltrans picture for the pass, with the chain controls, cameras, and advisories for the Carson Pass stretch below it.
Is Carson Pass open?
Right now, SR-88 over Carson Pass is open with no chain controls posted (Caltrans, last updated NOV 15, 2026, 5:56 AM PST). Carson Pass is the summit of SR-88 between Kirkwood and Hope Valley.
Do I need chains on Carson Pass today?
Right now, SR-88 over Carson Pass is open with no chain controls posted (Caltrans, last updated NOV 15, 2026, 5:56 AM PST). If the live page shows R-1, R-2, or R-3 at Kirkwood, Caples Lake, or Red Lake Creek, follow that level. See the chain guide for what each level means.
Where are the chain control points on Carson Pass?
On SR-88, Caltrans runs chain control points through the Carson Pass corridor, including Kirkwood and Silver Lake on the west side, Caples Lake at the summit, and Red Lake Creek and Pickett's Junction on the east side. The live chain controls on this page show which points are active right now and the level at each one.