Schallenberger Ridge

Schallenberger Ridge, on the south side of Donner Lake, is identifiable by the funny shaped tree along the ridgeline.

The ridge is named for Moses Schallenberger, who wintered there in 1844, two winters before the Donner Party of emigrants got trapped nearby to begin a legendary episode of pioneer hardship.

To learn more about the protection of this 1,923-acre ridge and land surrounding it, visit The Trust for Public Land website.

To learn more about Moses Schallenberger and the Donner Party, be sure to visit Donner Memorial State Park and the Emigrant Trail Museum that tells the story of the Donner Party and the Emigrant Trail to California, local Native Americans, the building of the first Transcontinental Railroad, and more. Many of the displays are interactive, and a theater shows a video about the Donner Party every half-hour (admittedly it is an old and rather cheesy video, but it’s a good way to learn more about the story).

Photo credit: Katey Hamill