I am trying to figure out how to change the default starting map height you get each time you open the map. Not the max/min height that you can zoom to, but the height the map starts at when you open it.

I've tried just about every ini setting that looked like it might have something to do with that, and also a number of settings in the CK "World"\World Space" screen, but I'm not finding it. Does anyone now how to do this? There does not appear to be an ini setting for it, so I'm assuming it's in the CK.

As of the 1.8 patch that's all built into the world settings. Open the CK and load your mod. (Or whatever has the worldspace you're trying to affect, like Tamriel for vanilla Skyrim) Then, on the top toolbar, click on World > World Spaces, then select the world you wish to change in the list. You'll see options near the center of the window for all that. "Initial Pitch" is the one you need. It sets the initial angle of the camera. Tamriel is 50 by default.