Donner Pass is a 7,056-foot-high (2,151 m) mountain pass in the northern Sierra Nevada, above Donner Lake and Donner Memorial State Park about 9 miles (14 km) west of Truckee, California. Like the Sierra Nevada themselves, the pass has a steep approach from the east and a gradual approach from the west.
Panorama of view to the east in July 2013
(Composite image with the tracks removed in 1993 digitally restored)
CPRR Engineers L. M. Clement and T. D. Judah
Panoramic view of Donner Summit from above CPRR Tunnel #6 with Donner Lake in the distance and Donner Peak to right
Donner Lake, formerly known as Truckee Lake, is a freshwater lake in Northeast California on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of the much larger Lake Tahoe. A moraine serves as a natural dam for the lake. The lake is located in the town of Truckee, between Interstate 80 to the north and Schallenberger Ridge to the south. The tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad run along
Schallenberger Ridge and closely follow the route of the original transcontinental railroad. The historic route of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across America and US 40 follows the northern shoreline, then climbs to Donner Pass from where the entire lake may be viewed.
Donner Lake as seen from McGlashan Point
Standing on North East shore, looking across towards Donner Pass
Hiking through Donner Memorial State Park in the winter.