Donner Memorial State Park CA

• 4-star hike
• 3 mile loop
• Easy | Gain 50 feet | Peak 6,025 ft
• Donner Summit, CA | Lake Tahoe
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The image shows a person skiing on a snow-covered path next to a large body of water, likely a lake. The scene is set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and a clear blue sky. The skier is dressed in winter clothing and is using ski poles.

The image shows a person skiing on a snow-covered path next to a large body of water, likely a lake. The scene is set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and a clear blue sky. The skier is dressed in winter clothing and is using ski poles.

It's easy to relate to frustrated motorists returning from a weekend skiing in Tahoe, stuck in heavy interstate 80 traffic with aching legs and a long journey ahead. But spare a thought for those whose journey to the west coast was a little more arduous, and a little less certain that they'd make it there in one piece.

Just over a century and a half ago, a group of emigrants led by George Donner headed west over the Sierra Nevada mountains in search of a better life. Instead they found little more than suffering, snowstorms, and a distinct lack of food. Infamously resorting to cannibalism of the dead to survive, the party was to lose half its numbers before finally making it over Donner summit and into a more forgiving landscape.

The site of the Donner Party's suffering at the shores of Donner Lake is memorialized with a State Park complete with Emigrant Trail Museum and a monument to the casualties of 1846.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ South Shore Loop 2.7 mi loop, easy, gain 50 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Traveling around the area now is much less foreboding, and the hike on the shores of the lake now offer great tranquil and scenic landscapes, despite its location next to I-80.

Provided you take care along the snow-covered shorelines, the level flat landscape next to the lake is a great place for an introduction to snowshoeing, and a good way to escape the crowds on the ski slopes. Also, there are several good opportunities for renting snowshoes in the neighborhood.

The image shows a bronze statue of two figures, one male and one female. The male figure is standing and looking into the distance with one hand shading his eyes, while the female figure is holding a baby. The male figure has a belt with a buckle and what appears to be a tool or weapon at his side. The background includes a clear blue sky and a tree with green foliage.

The image shows a bronze statue of two figures, one male and one female. The male figure is standing and looking into the distance with one hand shading his eyes, while the female figure is holding a baby. The male figure has a belt with a buckle and what appears to be a tool or weapon at his side. The background includes a clear blue sky and a tree with green foliage.

Statue representing the Donner Party at the park entrance.

Tangents:
• Official: CA State Parks
• AllTrails Public: Donner Memorial SP
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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