Register for a Hike
Saturday hikes will begin and end at the Sugar Bowl Resort; located off I-80 at the Soda Springs exit (directions below). Choose one of the hikes listed below. Guides lead groups of approximately 15–20 people to interpretive spots telling stories and giving detailed historical information focused on emigrant and area history. Tickets are $65 per hiker; $75 after September 19.
If you have problems registering for a hike, or if you need help, please call (209) 606-6859 and ask for Bill.
Following the hikes and lunch we will present a chautauqua focused on the Reed Family of the Donner Party followed by a presentation by the extreme athletes who will just have completed a reprise of the 1844 Stephens Party’s Sierra crossing.
Notice: “Normal” Registration closes at 12:01 on Saturday, Sep 19, 2025, two weeks before the event. “Late” Registrations made after that will cost an extra $10. This has to do with the food ordering and scheduling with Sugar Bowl.
Notice: Refunds will be available through Friday, Sep 19, 2025. This is because food will have been ordered. Written (e.g., email) requests are preferred over phone calls or text messages.
Notice: In the event that the USDA Forest Service closes the Tahoe National Forest, we will be unable to hike. For health and safety reasons, we may need to cancel the event. In either case, refunds will be made upon request (minus the Eventbrite processing fee). You may request that your fee carries to next year’s event. Let’s hope that the winds blow favorably.
Directions: Meet at Sugar Bowl’s Mt Judah Lodge; From Norden, CA (off I-80 at the Soda Springs exit): Go east on Donner Pass Rd for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Sugar Bowl Rd. In about 0.6. as you enter the parking lot, stay to the left. Go as far as you can (towards “the loop”) and park. Lodge is on the left. (GPS Coordinates: 39.30552, -120.33323) Times are listed below.
Final instructions will be sent to you two weeks prior to the Events.
Groups of hikers will depart once an adequate number has gathered. Note: departure times are estimates and reflect the range of departure times. Your return time will vary based on departure and hike choice.
Historic Donner Pass
Moderate: for 2.5 miles round trip
We think this is the “goldilocks” trek of all the hikes offered. It’s not too long, nor too difficult, but in that sweet spot to enjoy an experience chock full of stunning views and intriguing history. Far below lies Donner Lake where the pioneers were stranded in 1846. Across the way is the forbidding canyon that blocked their way. Ironically, just 23 years later, the first transcontinental rail route was blasted through Sierra granite, including miles of snow sheds and numerous tunnels visible across the way. And just to whet your appetite a bit more, learn about the so-called “starved camp;” how non-native catfish may have gotten in a nearby pond; and why the giant concrete letters “SF” and “SL” were embedded on a ridge above you. There’s lots more. Come join us!
Planned Departure Time is: 08:30
Donner Peak / Coldstream Pass
Strenuous: for 4.5 miles round trip
This is an easier option for people who don’t want to do the whole Judah Loop. We’ll get up to Coldstream Pass and then you’ll have the option of walking up the granite slabs to be rewarded with a view from a notch almost 2,000 feet directly above Donner Lake. Of the three Donner Passes, this was used the most until the coming of the Dutch Flat Rd. Si during our illustrated hike, you’ll hear what it was like in the old days, previous conquerors of Donner Pk.; and then stories, lots of stories, about the Emigrant Trail, marking the trail, Coldstream Pass, Theodore Judah, the first rope tows on Mt. Judah, how Mt. Judah got its name, the first locomotive over the summit, Sierra Junipers, etc. It’s uphil all the way going, but downhill all the way back.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:30
Railroad Summit Tunnel and More
Moderate: for 3 miles round trip
Tunnel 6 was the engineering marvel of the 19th Century, the longest of the 15 tunnels of the transcontinental railroad as it crossed the Sierra. It was drilled through solid granite taking two years with progress of only inches per day. Come with us to see the tunnel, touch tool marks left by Chinese railroad workers more than one hundred fifty years ago. See the Central shaft and hear about blindfolded mules. Hear stories about life in the largest Chinese railroad workers camp which was on Donner Summit. Theodore Judah laid out the route of the transcontinental railroad and thought snow would not be a problem. He was wrong. Learn why and what the Central Pacific Railroad did about it. Then we will go down to the snowsheds and China Wall, past the largest railroad workers camp, and learn more about what it took to build the transcontinental railroad. We will see some great views, hear some good stories and even see the most inspirational square yard in the most historically significant square mile.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:30
Summit Valley
Moderate: for 4 miles round trip
This walk through Van Norden Meadow in the Summit Valley tells the history of Van Norden dam and the lake, Native American grinding rocks, metates, and basalt flakes, the Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Rd., the sheep industry and shepherd’s cabin remains. Follow in the footsteps of the Donner Party on the emigrant trail that passed through Van Norden Meadow and brought thousands of settlers to California.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:30
Summit Canyon / Dutch Flat Wagon Road
Moderate: for 3 miles round trip
Summit Canyon shows the riches of Donner Summit history and show you that Donner Summit is indeed the most historically significance square mile in California. Here’s the first transcontinental railroad, first transcontinental highway, first transcontinental air route, and first transcontinental telephone line. The first wagon trains to come to California with wagons came up the canyon. The Donner Party rescuees came up the canyon. There’s the 1914 underpass, ads painted on the rocks more than a 100 years ago and still (barely) visible, There are petroglyphs 2-4000 years old, and the Chinese RR workers camp. Learn about some of the first transcontinentalists by automobile, and some smaller firsts: the first bicyclist over the Sierra, the first auto over the Sierra, the first motorized crossing of the U.S. (over Donner Summit.), and more. Then of course, there are the wonderful views. This walk through history is all downhill. We’ll use cars to shuttle back up to lunch.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:30
Roller Pass / Judah Loop
Strenuous: for 6 miles round trip
Elevation Change of 1100 feet
This is the most popular hike on Donner Summit. Those who hike by themselves, even with our brochure with the QR codes, miss out on the many many stories and of course the historical pictures: Roller Pass, discovered in 1846; Sierra Junipers; Johnny Ellis and his rope tows; Sugar Bowl; Theodore Judah; the Emigrant Trail; Sierra Crest Trail; Weddell markers of the Emigrant Trail; the first locomotives over the summit (they did not go on tracks) and why; Chinese RR workers’ camp; Red Mountain; the first transcontinental air route; and then on top of Mt. Judah – wow, what a view. You will be entranced! You will also be really ready for lunch when you get back.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:00
High Sierra Lakes
Strenuous: for 6 miles round trip
Hike?! History?! You’ll get them both – and more -- on this trail. Enjoy the stunning views of Donner Lake and what some call the most important square mile in California history from your perch above Donner Pass. Take in the serenity of three Alpine lakes nestled in the forest and find out how one of them figured in a century-old crime of passion. How did Donner Summit become a summit anyway? And why is that sword in a stone? We’ll tell that and more. And you’ll earn bragging rights that you hiked on part of the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:00
Natural History Hike
Easy: for 2 miles round trip
State Park Interpreter, Nick Potter, will lead an approximate two-mile hike starting at the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center. BUT the hike will gather at Donner Ski Ranch at 8:45 to carpool down to the State Park. The focus will be on the beautiful setting and rich biodiversity of Donner Lake. Starting with the stunning geology of Donner Lake and the surrounding canyon, to the prolific aquatic life which includes the top of the lake’s food chain, the Osprey and the Bald Eagle. The diverse conifer forest at Donner Lake supports a very visible bird and squirrel and other mammal population, including the largest North American rodent, the American Beaver. The easy terrain of this hike is perfect for nature lovers, budding naturalists and hikers with health limitations.
Planned Departure Time is: 08:45