Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce

	Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce. www.truckee.com. (530) 587-8808 info@truckee.com
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	Hike Schedule \| General Info \| Lodging Specials \| Truckee History

	Saturday & Sunday Hike Information Saturday Hikes Saturday hikes will begin and end at the Sugar Bowl Lodge/Mt. Judah located on Highway 40 on Donner Summit. Choose one of the six hikes listed below. Guides lead groups of approximately 15-20 people to interpretive spots giving detailed historical information focused on emigrant and area history. In the afternoon enjoy a BBQ lunch and presentation. Note: Coldstream Pass hikers will be provided a bag lunch as they will return after afternoon activities conclude.
	Every attempt will be made to accommodate your choice with trail conditions and weather permitting.
	SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2010
		Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road, 1913 Corridor Lincoln Hwy. - Hike DFW Moderate/Strenuous, 4 miles, round trip Explore Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road and then Lincoln Highway. Pass petroglyphs, roadside billboards and the China Wall. Find out where and why these roads were built.

		Roller Pass - Hike RP Moderate/Strenuous, 4.3 miles, round trip Hike up the Pacific Crest Trail and back to see views of Donner Pass, Coldstream Pass and Roller Pass where emigrants were forced to winch their wagons up a 35- degree granite slope.

		Roller Pass/Judah Loop - Hike RPJ Moderate/Strenuous, 5.4 miles, round trip Enjoy the Roller Pass Hike described above with an additional mile at the top to go around the Judah Loop and on to Donner Peak.

		Coldstream Pass - Hike CP Strenuous, 6 miles A 4-6 hour hike over Coldstream Pass, one of the most heavily traveled emigrant routes. The hike is strenuous, rising and descending over a minimum of 1,800 vertical feet. Hikers should be in good physical condition.

		High Sierra Lakes - Hike HSL Moderate/Strenuous, 6 miles, round trip Enjoy incredible vistas seen by emigrants as they passed through the High Sierra years ago. Discover hidden alpine lakes while exploring Donner Summit.

		Railroad Snowsheds - Hike RS Moderate, 5 miles round trip Hikers will view the China Wall and go through several railroad tunnels with views of Donner Lake. Hikers need to bring flashlights.


	Saturday Registration Information Sugar Bowl Lodge on Highway 40 (Soda Springs exit off I-80.) Note the registration times. HIKE RPJ, CP, HSL: 7:30–8:00am HIKE RS: 8:00–9:00am HIKE DFW, RP: 8:30–9:30am 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. Prices are $45 per hiker. ($50 after October 1, 2010.) Price includes guided hike, commemorative hat, barbecue lunch and afternoon activities. Mark Saturday hike choice.

	SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2010 The unforgiving Sierra Nevada winter of 1846-47 started early, setting the stage for what was to become an incredibly agonizing story of human desperation and determination. In April of 1846 the Donner Party set out to reach California. A series of errors, mishaps and tragedy followed in their footsteps. Reaching the base of the Sierra just as an early winter storm set in, their fate was sealed, forcing them to stay the winter. Split into two camps, one at the base of what is now Donner Lake, and the other at Alder Creek, the emigrants faced perils unknown to our generation. Relief finally came in March, with few of the original party surviving. Sunday's walking tour and interpretive session at the Donner Camp Picnic Area at Alder Creek, explores the Donner encampment at this site.

		Donner Camps-Sunday Walking Tours SU Easy, Walking Tour Walking tours begin promptly at 9:00 am. The day begins with an interpretive walk where you will hear of the grueling travel and mishaps of the Donner Party and the archaeological finds at this location. Participants will then drive (about 8 miles) to Donner Memorial State Park to view the Murphy Cabin Site and Pioneer Monument. Participants are welcome to view the movie documentary and explore the Emigrant Trail Museum at the State Park (12593 Donner Pass Road), admission to the park is included for the remainder of the afternoon. Registration is from 8:30-9:00 am at the Donner Camp Picnic Area, located on Highway 89 North. Walking tours start at 9:00 am. $15 includes Sunday interpretive walks, entrance to Emigrant Trail Museum, and day use at Donner Memorial State Park.


	2-Day Hike Package $60 per hiker ($65 after October 1, 2010). Price includes guided hike, commemorative hat, barbecue lunch and afternoon activities plus the Sunday interpretive walks, entrance to Emigrant Trail Museum, and day use at Donner Memorial State Park. ^ back to top

General Information

Weather
Sierra weather is very unpredictable. Please check the weather forecast to ensure your clothing is appropriate for the entire day. This event will not be canceled because of weather. Rain, shine or even snow, as the emigrants, we will forge ahead. Should the weather or terrain conditions become unsafe, coordinators reserve the right to change the locations and hike programs listed in this brochure.

Terrain
All hikes start at 7,000-foot elevation or higher. You will be hiking on sand, loose gravel, slick granite, some steep terrain and possibly wet or snow-covered ground. Appropriate footwear is very important. Sturdy, water-resistant hiking shoes with deep tread are recommended. Open-toed shoes and/or worn soles could make your trek hazardous.

Dialog
Guides will be speaking to your entire group on an adult level. Please be considerate so that others can hear the information provided. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Physical Aspects
Hikes are long in length and do require some athletic ability. You will need to carry water and personal items. No drinking water or restrooms are available on the trail. Facilities are available at Sugar Bowl Lodge before and after the hike.

What to Bring on Hikes
Small day backpack, water, layered clothing, wind-breaker or rain gear, light snacks, sunscreen, dark glasses, hat, tissue and small trash bag.

What NOT to Bring
Pets, open-toed sandals, worn or slick soled shoes.

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	Lodging Specials Mention the Donner Party Hike for these special rates:
		Best Western Truckee Tahoe Lodge: Pool, sauna, spa and fitness room, hot breakfast buffet included. Hiker discount rate of $89 rate plus goodie bag. (800)-824-6385 or see www.bestwesterntahoe.com
		Cedar House Sport Hotel: Featuring 42 rooms and suites, The Cedar House fuses innovative green architecture with the best of contemporary design and incorporates a number of eco-friendly elements, bringing a fresh and environmentally conscience style to the Sierra. 10918 Brockway Road. (866) 582-5655 www.cedarhousesporthotel.com
		Clair Tappaan Lodge: Hostel-style accommodations including meals. Located on Donner Pass Rd. close to hike location. (800) 679-6775
		Donner Lake Village Resort: Right on Donner Lake, 3 miles from hike location. Kitchenettes, BBQs, guest saunas, complimentary coffee and tea. Hiker discount rates start at $79. (800) 921-9960 www.donnerlakevillage.com
		Hampton Inn and Suites Tahoe-Truckee: Small scale hotel units with complimentary breakfast, attractive guestrooms, spacious lobby with rustic ambiance, high speed wireless internet, pool, hot tub. Special rate of $99. (888) 587-1197
		Truckee Donner Lodge: Complimentary hot continental breakfast, newly renovated property. Hot tub, high speed wireless internet. Next to Donner Memorial State Park. (530)582-9999 www.truckeedonnerlodge.com
		The Inn at Truckee: Pet Friendly hotel. Indoor hot tub and sauna. Walk to restaurants and shopping. High speed internet, complimentary continental breakfast. (530) 587-8888
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EARLY TRUCKEE HISTORY

Emigrants to the Railroad
While much is publicized about the Donner Party, it was actually the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party that made the first successful attempt at taking wagons over the summit of the Sierra Nevada in 1844. With help from an old Indian they called Truckee, the group was able to follow the river from what is now Donner Lake, up and over the Sierra. The group was later credited for opening the first practical wagon route to California along what was later to be known as the Truckee Route of the California Trail.

Starting in 1846, thousands of emigrants chose the Truckee Route, traversing Roller Pass, as their access to the lush valleys of California. They came by the thousands, staging their wagons at the base, waiting to access Roller Pass. Twenty years later, construction of the Dutch Flat & Donner Lake Wagon road was completed. This opened up the pass to stagecoaches and eventual automobile traffic. Numerous stage stations were built, including Grey’s Station. The settlement later grew into a small town called Coburn’s Station and was later renamed Truckee.

In 1867 construction of the transcontinental railroad began. Opening up the pass through the mountains to the masses, the railroad’s construction contributed to future economic growth of Truckee including logging, ice harvesting and winter sports.

Saturday’s Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Hike explores the Dutch Flat road, China Wall, plus a new interpretation of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy route, just north of the historically accepted version. The Roller Pass Hike gives a perspective of where emigrants were forced to winch their wagons up a 35-degree granite slope. The Railroad Snowsheds Hike explores the transcontinental railroad snowsheds along with railroad history.

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EARLY NEVADA COUNTY EMIGRANT HISTORY

Make a weekend out of your Donner Party Hike experience. Visit Truckee’s quaint historic downtown with a wide selection of unique shops and restaurants. The Old Jail Museum is also a great place to see artifacts and photos from Truckee’s early days.

Discover all of Nevada County to explore gold mining, emigrant and transportation history. Special attractions in Truckee include Donner Memorial State Park, Donner Lake, and Donner Summit Bridge. Grass Valley is home to Empire Mine State Park and offers a historic downtown with Victorian charm. Nevada City is graciously preserved and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Penn Valley is home to the longest single span covered bridge in the country. Another great historic stop if you are headed west on I-80 is the Tahoe National Forest Big Bend Visitor Center, where you can see rust marks from covered wagon wheels. View exhibits on the history of transportation across this part of the Sierra Nevada, and explore the emigrant trail.

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