Donner Party Hike sponsors: Cedar House Sport Hotel, Donner Lake Village Resort, Donner Memorial State Park, Hampton Inn and Suites Tahoe-Truckee, Inn at Truckee, Sugar Bowl Ski Area, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, Truckee Donner Lodge, U.S. Forest Service and Wild Cherries Coffee House.
Hikers can experience the early emigrants’ journey across the Sierra Nevada mountains without reliving the dangers October 4 & 5 by participants in the 24th Annual Donner Party Hike.
Participants can choose from five different hikes on Saturday and on Sunday a walking tour. All events offer insight into emigrant history from area guides, along with invigorating recreation and beautiful scenery.
Saturday’s hikes begin and end at the Mt. Judah lodge at Sugar Bowl located of old Highway 40 (Donner Pass Rd.) on Donner Summit. Guides will lead groups of approximately10-20 people to interpretive spots giving detailed historical information focused on emigrant and area history. In the afternoon, hikers will enjoy a hamburger lunch and a speaker.
Hike options include a 3.5 mile one way trek in Summit Canyon. Other hikes include a 4 mile round trip that will explore the Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road and 1913 Corridor Lincoln Highway with views of petroglyphs, old roadside billboards and the China Wall. In addition, a 4-5 mile hike heading up Roller Pass and/or Mt. Judah; a 6 mile hike past pristine High Sierra Lakes; a strenuous 6 mile hike over Coldstream Pass, one of the most heavily traveled emigrant routes; or a 4 mile walk around Summit Valley (grinding rocks, Van Norden Dam, Dutch Flat Rd. etc.).
Sunday offers a more relaxed walking tour departing from the Donner Camp Picnic Area, located on Highway 89 North. Activities include a walking tour where guides will detail the Donner Party’s encampment, a visit to the Murphy’s Cabin Site and entrance to the Donner Memorial State Park Museum offering a historical movie about the Donner Party. Participants will need to provide their own transportation to the Donner Memorial State Park.
Space is limited for all events and reservations are required. Registration for the Saturday hikes is $45 per hiker and includes a guided hike, commemorative ballcap, BBQ lunch and afternoon presentation. Deadline is September 26.
Sunday’s walking tour is $15 and includes the guided walk and entrance to the Emigrant Trail Museum. 2-day hike package is $60. Complete hike descriptions and registration forms can be found at - www.donnerpartyhike.com or info@donnerpartyhike.com
The Donner Party Hike event is organized by Kathy Hess of Just Imagine Marketing.
October 14 & 15, 2017
Sugar Bowl's Mt. Judah Lodge
