Greg Palmer leds a hike on Donner Summit. He Has led a hike during the event for the past 17 years. | Tim Erskine ·
Hikers can travel the footsteps of early emigrant’s journey across the Sierra Nevada mountains on Oct. 5 and 6 by participants in the 21st Annual Donner Party Hike.
Participants may choose from seven different hikes on Saturday, and a walking tour on Sunday. All hikes offer interesting insight into emigrant history from local area guides, along with invigorating recreation and beautiful scenery.
Early Truckee history
While much is publicized about the Donner Party (see Sierra Stories in this issue), it was the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party that made the first successful attempt at taking wagons over the summit of the Sierra Nevada in 1844. With help from an old Indian they called Truckee, the group was able to follow the river from what is now Donner Lake, up and over the Sierra. The group was later credited for opening the first practical wagon route to California along what was later to be known as the Truckee Route of the California Trail.
Starting in 1846, thousands of emigrants chose the Truckee Route, traversing Roller Pass, as their access to the lush valleys of California. They came by the thousands, staging their wagons at the base, waiting to access Roller Pass. Twenty years later, construction of the Dutch Flat & Donner Lake Wagon road was completed. This opened up the pass to stagecoaches and eventual automobile traffic. Numerous stage stations were built, including Grey’s Station. The settlement later grew into a small town called Coburn’s Station and was later renamed Truckee.
In 1867, construction of the transcontinental railroad began. Opening up the pass through the mountains to the masses, the railroad’s construction contributed to future economic growth of Truckee including logging, ice harvesting and winter sports.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Saturday’s Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Hike explores the Dutch Flat road, China Wall, plus a new interpretation of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy route, just north of the historically accepted version. The Roller Pass Hike gives a perspective of where emigrants were forced to winch their wagons up a 35-degree granite slope. The Railroad Snowsheds Hike explores the transcontinental railroad snowsheds along with railroad history.
New this year, is the Summit Meadows hike, which travels along Lake Van Norden with stops to see rocks with mortars and other remnants of emigrants passing through. This area, known as Royal Gorge, is now owned by the Truckee Donner Land Trust. generation. All of Royal Gorge’s remarkable meadows, peaks, natural resources and the Nordic ski area have been protected forever and will be open to the public for recreation.
There are six other hike options of varying length offered on Saturday. Explore the Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road and 1913 Corridor Lincoln Highway with views of petroglyphs, old roadside billboards and the China Wall. Hike up Roller Pass and/or Mount Judah to see where wagon trains were winched up over the granite. Discover pristine High Sierra lakes. Each hike offers a unique and memorable experience.
Following the Saturday hikes, participants will enjoy a hamburger lunch and a presentation by Ethan Rarick, author of “Desperate Passage: the Donner Party’s Perilous Journey West.” This up-to-date narrative history of the Donner Party provides a fascinating and compelling look at this frontier drama.
Saturday’s hikes begin and end at the Mt. Judah lodge at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort on Highway 40. Guides will lead groups of about 10 to 20 people to interpretive spots giving detailed historical information focused on emigrant and area history.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Sunday starts at 9 a.m. with a more relaxed walking tour departing from the Donner Camp picnic area, 2.5 miles north of Truckee on Highway 89. The unforgiving Sierra Nevada winter of 1846-47 started early, setting the stage for what was to become an incredibly agonizing story of human desperation and determination. In April of 1846, the Donner Party set out to reach California. A series of errors, mishaps and tragedy followed in their footsteps.
Following the walking tour where guides will detail the Donner Party’s encampment, participants will drive to Donner Memorial State Park to hear more about the Donner Party, the Pioneer Monument, visit the Murphy’s Cabin Site, and enjoy entrance to the museum offering a historical movie about the Donner Party.
Tickets
Space is limited for all events and reservations are required. Saturday hikes are $50 each and include guided hike, commemorative ballcap, hamburger lunch and afternoon presentation. Sunday’s walking tour is $15 and includes the guided walk and entrance to the Emigrant Trail Museum. A two-day hike package is available for $65. For details or to purchase ticket, visit truckee.com or call (530) 587-8808.
Oct. 5 hikes
Summit Canyon
Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road | 3.5 miles
Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road
Wagon Road, Lincoln Highway, petroglyps & China Wall | 4 miles
Roller Pass
Pacfici Crest Trail & Coldstream, Roller & Donner passes | 4.3 miles
Roller Pass/Judah Loop
Roller Pass with Judah Loop & Donner Peak | 5.4 miles
Coldstream Pass
Emigrant routes on Coldstream Pass | 6 miles
High Sierra Lakes
Hidden alpine lakes on Donner Summit | 6 miles
Summit Meadows
Lake Van Norden, eimgrant remanents | 3.5 miles
