The Donner Pass Railroad Tunnel Hike was one of the reasons for our trip to the area. My boyfriend…read morehad always wanted to check out the Donner Petroglyphs, and I stumbled across the rail tunnels when looking for things to do while in the area. We parked at the Donner Ski Summit - if you are looking to check out this hike, that is the best place to park and access the start of the tunnels. I truly enjoyed this hike, but was ill prepared. I was fully committed once we were in the tunnels & I should have went back to the car and swapped my "barefoot" style shoes for my hiking boots. The large chunk gravel path killed my feet with the thin soles of the shoes I wore. We hiked through about 5-6 tunnels before heading back. We did a total of 6 miles in and back. There were alot of beautiful street art within the tunnels, we found 19 cave ghosts along the trail as well as some other reoccurring variations of different items over the course of the trail. I would like to eventually take the trail past the last tunnel and to the next set of tunnels some day. This is a trail we would do again next time we are in the area. Though the weather was nice, we both wore hooded sweatshirts as the are in the tunnels got quite chilly. If you plan on checking these trails out, take well charged flashlights or head lights with extra batteries. The tunnels can be PITCH Black when you are in the heart of them. Overall this was a really cool thing to see and I would love to do it again with the correct shoes!

We had out of town family in town last week and we made it back to the Donner (Railroad) Tunnels. I…read morelove the tunnels! It's SO beautiful. And as it was a railroad, it's level and easy, and as it's in the tunnels, you're mostly protected from the weather. Bring good trail walking shoes and a flashlight. (And park across from the Donner Ski Ranch.)

Backround On Donner Lake: Named after the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who became trapped in…read morethe Sierra Nevada Mountains during the winter of 1846-47. The lake was originally known as Truckee Lake, but was renamed in their memory. The Donner Party's ill-fated journey and subsequent struggle for survival has made the area a place of both historical significance and tragedy Background On Visit: Reading articles about things to do near Lake Tahoe, we decided to visit this place. Location/Parking: Located along Donner Pass Rd.. Free parking on the west end of the lake. Ambiance: The views of the pine trees and water are very nice when you drive along Donner Pass Rd.. Probably be more enjoyable as a passenger. Perhaps next time. Entertainment: 1) Boating and Water Sports: Rent boats, kayaks, paddleboards, or hydrobikes at Donner Lake Watersports. 2) Fishing: Donner Lake is known for kokanee salmon and various trout species. 3) Swimming: Enjoy the lifeguard-staffed West End Beach Park or swim at the public piers. 4) Hiking Trails Donner Lake For Thought: Choose Donner Lake for a more serene and accessible experience with a unique history and warmer water. :)

Right off of I-80 in Truckee this is one of the coolest…read moreplaces of the Sierra. Donner Lake is a true mountain getaway for activities from boating & fishing in the summer to snowshoeing in winter. Although it's a fraction in size to its bigger sibling Lake Tahoe, it offers a more relaxed alternative and just as many options of things to do on and off the water. Don't miss Donner State Park while visiting the lake. It is a giant part of local history.

One of my favorite hike in Tahoe National Park ! Sure it's about 5.5 miles RT but it's quite a…read moreworkout with the elevations gains and loose rocks but definetly worth it with all the stunning gorgeous view on top ! Will be back

Excellent hiking trail, except for about the first one quarter. All trails rates this as a hard…read moreTrail. What makes the trail hard is the continuous uphill grade, and about the last half mile. Just take your time, we're good hiking shoes, and bring water. You'll be fine. I did the hike mid October 2020. It was about 60 degrees at the trailhead, but the wind at the peak was at least 35 miles an hour. And it was cold. I went from short sleeves and short pants to a warm coat with a hood. I can't imagine doing this Trail in the snow, although apparently that's a thing. As with most steep trails, the trip up is tiring and the trip down is a constant battle with slipping. there's tons of cool geology along this Trail, although there isn't a lot written about it. Read up on the general geology of the Donner Pass area.

Anytime I'm outside I'm happy, and hiking this trail was no exception…read more The trail to Mount Lincoln starts behind the Summit Haus. Park along Donner Pass Rd, it's a short walk down a paved road to the trailhead and there's a restroom. This trail is thankfully well-maintained and is partially shaded, but don't forget your sunscreen. There are a few spots where it's rocky and the final climb to the peak is really steep, so if you've got treking poles I'd bring them. Overall it's a moderate trail. You're predominantly on the PCT on this one, and the turn to the right for the final incline could be missed by some, so hopefully the cairn I left will help someone else. Only time will tell. Make sure you check out the Roller Pass overlook that's part of the historic Hwy 40 Scenic Bypass. It is absolutely nuts to think that some pioneers pulled their covered wagons up the side of this ridge. Check it out.

It's a great, convenient beach, but it will cost ya. They do charge and it's not cheap and this…read morebeach gets crowded. The beach itself has a large sandy area, which is fun. In the summer, there are plenty of life guards, a fairly large parking lot that does fill up fast, pickleball courts, and boat rentals. However, it can get so crowded, so buyer beware. When it's not crowded, it's lovely! Overall, a great Donner Lake beach.

For the July 4th 2026 fireworks show, our friends, who are residents of Truckee, offered to get my…read moreparty of 6 tickets to see the show at West End Beach at Donner Lake. In order to buy the tickets at the Community Recreation Center, you must be able to show one proof of residency (driver's license, service/utility bill, car registration, current tax bill with an address in the district) and a resident can buy up to 8 tickets. Tickets are NOT sold at the gate. At $25 per person, the whole experience which includes the show at 9:30pm, games for the family beginning at 1:30pm, really good live music, plenty of port-o-potties, and lake fun complete with water rentals, food concessions is pretty good. Being this was our first time at West End Beach, there were lots of decisions to make. After researching this event, here's what we decided: - Take the free shuttle from Truckee High School which begins at 3pm - Bring our own food that was packed in a thermal bag to keep it hot instead of heating up the food at the beach. Although alcoholic beverages are allowed, glass of any kind is prohibited and checked at the gate. When we arrived at the beach around 4pm, there appeared to be no good picnic spots near the lake because those people arrive early in the morning before the gate opens at 9am. However, there's plenty of space to have a picnic meal with picnic tables, but the roped-off area in the park specifically states that the area must be cleared by 7pm. While there was plenty of space in the roped-off area, where would we go after 7pm? As it turns out, things and people begin to shift by about 7pm. In order to avoid putting things away in the dark after the show is over, people are putting their canopies and other equipment away and the family games have ended creating more space to watch the fireworks. After walking around, we found some open spots in the grass to lay down our picnic blankets to watch the show. Speaking of arriving early, there is a beach parking lot which has a limited amount of spaces and those people arrive by 6am to claim those precious spots. One lucky person I spoke with said he arrived at just before 7am to claim the last parking space. Having a parking space would have meant I could have launched my kayak, but my party of 6 was content to play in the water and play games while waiting for the 9:30pm show. If you're going to cook or heat your food, you must bring your own equipment. In fact, you see people cooking on their full-sized BBQs! There were only a few people cooking on the charcoal grills. After the show is over just before 10pm, the shuttle buses are waiting, but it takes a while for everyone to load. Nevertheless, we made it back to the Truckee High School around 10:45p. Since there was some wait time on the bus, I struck up a conversation with the person next to me who said he didn't arrive at West End Beach until 8:40pm and there was still plenty of space for him and his daughter to see the show. If you want to skip bringing your own food/beverages, chairs, and umbrellas, arriving before the show starts sounds like a good option. Lying on our blankets with our coats on was an ideal way for us to watch the show as it felt up close and personal. The show was spectacular.

I am one of those people that actually loves stopping at rest stops. Not just to stretch or use the…read morerestroom, but to totally enjoy nature at its finest. And this place ranks as one of the better rest stops I've been to. This is none other than "Donner Summer Westbound - Nevada County". Located on westbound I-80 (which is Reno to Sacramento), this particular rest stop is located just a few miles west of Truckee and is actually part of the California State Department of Transportation. This place does offer ample parking with a sizable lot that is easily capable of accommodating all vehicle sizes. One great thing about this place is their dedicated restrooms. It is housed in a stone building which is much needed since the 7,000 ft elevation can bring very cold and harsh conditions from fall through spring. And I will say that I've been here a few times during December/January where the temperature can drop below 0°F so make sure to bring warm clothes if you choose to exit your vehicle. Finally, inside also houses two vending machines; one for snacks and the other for drinks. However, many people don't know a lot about the history that took place here back in the 1840's. Many of the settlers of the ill-fated Donner party had to resort to cannibalism to survive. Sadly, many of the died of the harsh inclement elements as well as lack of food on their journey. There is also a giant plaque on a boulder commemorating this moment in California's early history. You will also encounter a decent sized Indian totem in close proximity. Since I am a huge history buff, I enjoy actual sites where all of this transpired. Aside from all of that, the views here are incredible, especially for a rest stop. If you walk a little off the beaten path that has 100+ foot trees, a rocky/snowy hiking area, and even a small lake surrounded by plants and other foilage. During my most recent visit which was on Saturday 7/1/2023 at around 7:30pm, there was still a fairly decent amount of rock hard snow on the ground that was remnants of the late spring storms this area got. With that said and done, I am giving the "Donner Summer Westbound - Nevada County" an above average four-star rating.

On Sunday my mom, toddler and I stopped by to take a restroom break and build a snow man. This stop…read moreis just 6 miles from the true and tragic story of the Donner party in the year 1846-1847 who had to resort to survival cannibalism after completely running out of food as a last resort. They walked so many miles that their feet left bloody trails behind and probably half of the party parished. For the complete story watch The Donner Party: What really happened on Youtube from Mortician Caitlin Doughty. After doing some research of my own she explained it the best. I would recommend making a stop to take a little walk in the snow before it melts or take a leak. I mean when you have to go you have to go right and they're plenty of stalls!? When we visited the vending machines were not filled in case you're looking for a bite, they could have been re-stocking tho. We'll definitely be back next time we're in the area!

Clair Tappaan Lodge was an incredible experience, especially during a major storm week…read more The atmosphere is what makes this place special. You're surrounded by a great, down-to-earth crowd, and it feels like a true mountain community rather than a typical hotel. The staff were outstanding across the board. Everyone was helpful and welcoming, even with the challenges of the storm. The biggest highlight for our family was the food team. Our son has a dairy allergy, and they went above and beyond to accommodate him. They clearly communicated which foods were safe, and on multiple occasions prepared separate options just for him. That level of care made a huge difference for us and gave us real peace of mind. A special thank you to Juan, who was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. From assisting with the reservation, to coordinating with the kitchen, to being a consistent and reliable point of contact, he made everything smooth and easy. If you're looking for a unique, authentic Sierra lodge experience with great people and genuinely caring staff, this is a special place. We would absolutely come back.

Truly wonderful staff and delicious home-cooked meals. The lodge is very welcoming and offers…read moreeverything you need for a comfortable stay in this historic setting. I highly recommend it for short stays while skiing near Sugar Bowl. Myra, Andrew, and the cook, Sue, make you feel like part of the family. Very rustic and absolutely fabulous.