21st Annual Donner Party Hike

This annual event offers an insight into the challenges faced by the Donner Party as it attempted a Sierra crossing in the winter of 1846-47. As stated on the Sierra Nevada Geotourism Map Guide, “The unforgiving Sierra Nevada winter. . . started early, setting the stage for what was to become an incredibly agonizing story of human desperation and determination.” There will be seven different hikes on Saturday exploring routes travelled by the emigrants including Roller Pass where they had to winch their wagons up a 35 degree granite slope. Sunday offers a guided interpretive walking tour of the Alder Creek area, where the Donner Party suffered that fateful winter, followed by a trip to Donner Memorial State Park to the site of the Murphy Cabin and Pioneer Monument. This walking tour also includes entrance to the museum featuring a movie about the Donner Party. In addition to the history of this epic undertaking, the Donner Party Hike will introduce participants to extraordinary vistas as well as recreational opportunities. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information about this event, click on the Sierra Sun website.