Survival in the Sierra: A Driving tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit
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About the Tour
About the Tour
When the Reed family became trapped and snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, their lives would never be the same. On this driving tour, you’ll hear Virginia Reed’s firsthand account of the challenges and victories that these members of the Donner Party pioneer group experienced while stranded for almost four months, through the 12-year-old’s journal.
This real-life adventure starts at the Gatekeeper’s Museum. As you drive, you’ll hear how the Reed family left Springfield, Illinois in the spring of 1846 and arrived in California almost a year later in the winter of 1847.
You’ll take the highway and the path that the Donner Party followed, and link up with the Truckee River to snake alongside its frigid rapids. You’ll have the option of visiting Palisades Tahoe, a ski resort formerly known as Squaw Valley, explore the town of Truckee, and take in spectacular views of Donner Lake along the way. The tour ends at Donner Ski Ranch, where you’ll have the option of visiting the abandoned Donner Pass train tunnel #6.
As you drive and enjoy the picturesque beauty of Tahoe’s alpine forest, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Hear quotes from Across the Plains in the Donner Party: 1846-1847, Virginia Reed Murphy’s personal diary
- Marvel at the views from the tram ride to the top of Palisades Tahoe (optional stop)
- Find out why Squaw Valley changed its name
- Hear why Truckee was known as the Ice Capital of the West
- Understand the challenges of building a railroad over Donner Summit
- Stroll along Truckee’s sidewalks and do some shopping or enjoy a meal in the quaint western town
- Take in the spectacular view from the top of Donner Summit
- Contemplate the difficulties the Donner Party experienced in the winter of 1846-47
- Visit the Donner Memorial State Park
This 30-mile driving tour can be completed in about 90 minutes without any stops. On the other hand, this is your adventure. You may stop where you want, when you want, and for as long as you want. It’s up to you!
Parking fees aren’t included in the price of this tour. For more detailed information about the stops on this tour please see “Places to stop along the way”. Please review the “Precautions” section for important information on driving and hiking. This is one of five VoiceMap driving tours I’ve written that explore the area in and around Lake Tahoe.
Voice acting credit: Virginia Reed by Robin Baumann
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Lynn Momboisse
Hi! My name is Lynn. I am a native of California and have resided in Northern California for most of my life. I have a love for discovering the hidden treasures in my own back yard. For many years I lived in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea where I co-authored the book Historic Homes and Inns of Carmel-by-the-Sea. During my time in Carmel-by-the Sea, I served on the Carmel Heritage Society, and Historic Resources Board. My love of history and passion for discovering the beauty of the Golden State has led me to create a fun little blog titled "Adventures of a Home Town Tourist" where I recount many of my walking tours and hiking adventures throughout the world. I currently live in the majestic Sierra Foothills and have written several walking and driving tours of the Lake Tahoe area as well as the California Gold Country. I am so excited to continue to share my travel adventures through the power of VoiceMap. I can't wait for you to join me. Happy Adventures!
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 7
The Donner Party
View locations and route
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Tahoe City
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Fanny Bridge Tahoe City
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Gatekeeper's Museum
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Truckee River
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Palisades Tahoe
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1960 Winter Olympics Torches
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Truckee
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Truckee Welcome Center
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Donner Memorial State Park
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Donner Lake
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Donner Lake Overlook
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Donner Summit Bridge
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Donner Ski Ranch
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Historic Summit Tunnel
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start location130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145, USA
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Total distance39km
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Final location19320 Donner Pass Rd, Norden, CA 95724, USA
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Distance back to start location23km
Directions to Starting Point
Gatekeepers Museum, 130 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, California
Parking Lot of the Gatekeepers Museum, 130 W Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, California (39.166390, -120.143661).
The entrance to this parking lot is off of W. Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City between Fanny Bridge and Bank of the West.
From Reno or Incline Village, Nevada
I-80 East – connect to I-580 S to NV-431 – connect to NV-28 W in Incline Village. Once in Tahoe City, turn left on W Lake Blvd. cross Fanny Bridge and turn left into the Gatekeepers parking lot.
From Truckee, California
CA-89 South – Once in Tahoe City, turn right on W Lake Blvd. cross Fanny Bridge and turn left into the Gatekeepers parking lot.
From South Lake Tahoe, California
Head southwest on Lake Tahoe Blvd. – turn right onto CA-89N. Once in Tahoe City pass the Wells Fargo Bank and turn right into the parking lot for the Gatekeepers parking lot.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Current as of September 2023
Tahoe City
Tahoe City Gatekeeper’s Museum Area – Parking in Gatekeeper Museum Parking (130 W Lake Blvd., Tahoe City) area free at this time. Open Thursday through Sunday 11am to 5pm, $5 entrance fee. Current exhibit is Marion Steinbach basket of Native people of North America. From this museum you may also view Lake Tahoe Dam, Fanny Bridge and visit the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Center.
Palisades Tahoe (Our driving tour does not stop here. But if you chose to visit here is some information.)
Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram: Open 10am to 4:20pm - Adult ticket weekend $54 / weekday $44 - Panoramic 10-minute ride offering stunning mountain vistas and beautiful views of Lake Tahoe itself. Tram ends at Palisades Tahoe's High Camp where you may take in a meal or have a drink. https://www.palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities/activity-finder/aerial-tram
Truckee
Welcome Center: 10065 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee - open daily 9am to 4:30pm
Truckee Railroad Museum: 10075 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee - open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm - admission is free
Museum of Truckee History: 10065 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee - open Friday through Sunday 10am to 4pm
Donner Memorial State Park: 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee - open 10am to 5pm daily - Parking fee $10 https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=503
Best time of day
It is best to take this tour during pleasant weather conditions and during day time hours. If you are interested in visiting any of the museums, they open at 10am except for the Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City which opens at 11am.
Precautions
Please drive within the speed limit and obey all the rules of the road. If you get out of your car for any reason please cover your valuables and lock your car. When walking in any of the towns on this tour please be careful when crossing the street. Make sure cars coming in any direction have seen you and stopped before proceeding across the street. Watch for tripping hazards and be mindful of your surroundings.
Donner Summit Road Closures do to Snow or Rock Slides
Donner Summit Road south of Donner Lake: Approximately 2 miles from the end of this driving tour Donner Summit Road may be closed due to excess snow or rock slides. During the winter months major snow storms close this road. It does get plowed, but it is not a priority. During the summer and winter months this can also be closed due to rock slides. Both conditions require time to clear the road. In which case this road could be closed for days. To check on current conditions on Donner Summit Road check out News Donner Summit https://www.donnersummitca.com/news
Donner Summit Tunnels
WARNING: Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to explore or visit the Donner Summit Tunnels in the winter through late spring. Remember the Donner Party? Don’t be them. Ideal conditions start once the snow has melted from the surrounding ground (usually sometime between late May to late June). Never visit the tunnels after dark. Always use caution when exploring these tunnels and you do so at your own risk.
Access to the Donner Summit Tunnels is from the Donner Ski Ranch parking lot located at 19320 Donner Pass Rd, Norden, CA. This is also the final stop on this driving tour. There may be a charge to park in this parking lot. The entrance to Tunnel #6 is located across the street from the Donner Ski Ranch parking lot. The tunnel is in the side of the mountain at the edge of a private dirt parking lot. This parking lot is on private property so I do not suggest parking there. Some visitors to the tunnels park there, but I do not recommend it.
Starting from the west end at Tunnel #6, the trail goes east through several additional tunnels. It’s approximately 2.25 miles, making the hike a 4.5 mile round trip. Hike this tunnel at your own risk. If you do so, however, you can do as much or as little as you have time for. The tail is primarily a wide dirt pathway, but expect some rocks and rough ground. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes. You will be walking through multiple tunnels, some of which can be quite dark. It’s best to bring a flashlight. Expect some wet conditions, even in the summer. Tunnel #6 is particularly dark and wet but the other tunnels have more light. The ideal months for visiting these tunnels is late June- mid October. Never hike after any snowfall or inclement weather. These tunnels are filled with graffiti. Some may see this as art, others not. But whatever the case, the graffiti seems to now part of the experience. Please do not add to it!
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