Donner Summit Train Tunnels

Donner Summit Train Tunnels

Donner Summit, 7000 feet in elevation hovering just above Donner Lake, holds some significant California history. Home to where the first wagon train traversed into California, the fist transcontinental railroad crossed over and the fist transcontinental highway went through the Sierras. A hike through the abandoned train tunnels will reveal some of the remnants of the 1800's.

It was Theodore Judah who had the dream to conquer the Sierras by train. For many years he put his heart and soul into finding a path over the Sierras to create the country’s first transcontinental railroad. Despite all the granite walls blocking the way, Judah never gave up. In 1868, the first train passed through this stretch of tracks. Judah was not there on this day. Sadly, he died shortly after the groundbreaking from yellow fever. The mountain where the current train tunnels runs through is now named Mt. Judah in his honor. It was 1993 when the railroad company built a new line about 1 mile south of Donner Summit and used the old tracks and as much as they could for the new line.
  

Now, the tunnels have become a growing tourist attraction for locals and visitors. These tunnels provide hikers and visitors with an incredible opportunity to explore a remarkable, historic location. As you walk trough the tunnels, you will be in awe at the size of them, it’s not every day one gets to (safely) walk through a train tunnel. Most of the area has been taken over by graffiti artists but this adds to the uniqueness of the site. You could literally walk for miles along the old track path. The views are also worth the trip, Donner Lake and the landscape will catch your eye as you pop out of each tunnel.


There are many ways to access the tunnels. As you drive west on Old Highway 40 at the foot of Donner Lake, you will see the tunnels on the hillside on your left. You can park at the end of Rainbow Bridge and hike a short distance up to the site over the granite rocks. Another good access point is to park in the lot across from Donner Ski Ranch, you will see the obvious portal for the tunnel on the far side of the lot.
  

This is great activity option on those days when you want to take a break from the ski hill and the weather is still perfect for outside adventure. If you catch the tunnels in the right conditions, the icicles form perfectly spaced from gaps in the old boards.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Donner Summit Canyon: Day Hike

Donner Summit Canyon: Day Hike

In 2011 the Truckee Donner Land Trust acquired 260 acres of the lower part of "Summit Canyon" below Donner Pass and just above Donner Lake's West End.  This opened up a whole new recreation area for hiking, biking and picnicking.  Especially interesting for it's history as the original Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road in 1864 and for decades, the main route over this part of the Sierra.  

Last weekend I took the family to explore this new area.  We ended up doing a 3 mile round trip up to the Donner Lake lookout.  This is the perfect afternoon activity with everything from river crossings, history lessons and breathtaking views. 

There are many trails to explore but we decided to follow the well marked path and signs pointing us to the viewpoint.  This is a mellow hike that starts off forested and and quickly crosses a river, winds through a marshy meadow and gradually climbs upwards.  You are thoroughly rewarded as you finally emerge through the trees and peak out over the landscape down to Donner Lake.  Waiting for you at the top is your very own picnic table!  

Remember to bing a lunch and enjoy some PB&J's as you gaze at the breathtaking view.  
If you still have more energy in store, you can get back onto the main trail and head even further up the canyon to see the original 1867 Rail Road tunnel, China Wall, petroglyphs and old advertisements painted on rocks while you walk the actual route of the old highway with continuous views of Donner Lake.  If you do reach the top of the summit you can then connect to the Pacific Crest Trail and in the future this will be a connector to the Donner Rim Trail.  

This is an amazing new addition to the Truckee hiking trails.  I recommend getting outside and exploring for yourself!  

Click here for a trail map

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012