Hike retraces steps of Donner Party

Hikers can travel the footsteps of early emigrant’s journey across the Sierra Nevada mountains Oct. 5-6 by participants in the 21st annual Donner Party Hike.

Participants can choose from seven hikes on Saturday, and a walking tour on Sunday. All hikes offer insight into emigrant history from local area guides, along with invigorating recreation and beautiful scenery.

New this year, is the Summit Meadows hike which travels along Lake Van Norden with stops to see rocks with mortars and other remnants of emigrants passing through.

In addition to the new hike, there are six other hike options of varying length offered that Saturday. Explore the Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road and 1913 Corridor Lincoln Highway with views of petroglyphs, old roadside billboards and the China Wall. Hike up Roller Pass and/or Mt. Judah to see where wagon trains were winched up over the granite. Discover pristine High Sierra Lakes.

Following the Saturday hikes, participants can enjoy a hamburger lunch and a presentation by Ethan Rarick, author of “Desperate Passage – the Donner Party’s Perilous Journey West”. This up-to-date narrative history of the Donner Party provides a compelling look at this frontier drama.

Sunday starts with a more relaxed walking tour departing from the Donner Camp Picnic Area, located on 2.5 miles north of Truckee on Highway 89. Following the walking tour where guides will detail the Donner Party’s encampment, participants will drive to Donner Memorial State Park to hear more about the Donner Party, the Pioneer Monument, visit the Murphy’s Cabin Site, and enjoy entrance to the museum offering a historical movie about the Donner Party.

Saturday’s hikes begin and end at the Mt. Judah Lodge at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Guides will lead groups of approximately 10-20 people to interpretive spots giving detailed historical information focused on emigrant and area history.

Space is limited for all events and reservations are required. Early registration for the Saturday hikes is $45 ($50 after Sept. 20) per hiker and includes a guided hike, commemorative ball cap, hamburger lunch and afternoon presentation. Sunday’s walking tour is $15 and includes the guided walk and entrance to the Emigrant Trail Museum. A two-day hike package is $60 ($65 after Sept. 20).

Complete hike descriptions and registration forms can be found online or by contacting the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce at (530) 587.8808.