The Donner Party Hike, Oct 4-5
Posted on September 27, 2008
Filed Under Cultural Heritage, North Shore Events |
While Truckee history is renowned for the Donner Party, there is a wealth of captivating emigrant history that envelopes the Truckee Donner area in addition to the hardships of building the transcontinental railroad.
Two days of interpretive walks and hikes will allow you to walk in the early emigrant’s shoes.
Learn about the success of the Stephens Party who made the first trip over the summit in 1844 that opened the route to thousands of emigrants headed to California; the tragic events of the 1846-47 Donner Party; and the importance of the transcontinental railroad built in the 1867 that contributed to Truckee’s economic growth.
16th Annual Donner Party Hike
an Emigrant History event
October 4 and 5, 2008
2-day Hike Package only $50 per hiker
Saturday Hikes, Oct 4
Saturday’s Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Hike explores the Dutch Flat road, China Wall, plus a new interpretation of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy route. The Roller Pass Hike gives a perspective of where emigrants were forced to winch their wagons up a 35-degree granite slope. The Railroad Snowsheds Hike explores the transcontinental railroad snowsheds along with railroad history.
In the afternoon you can enjoy a BBQ lunch and presentation by historian Mark McLaughlin, author of the award-winning book The Donner Party: Weathering the Storm.
Sunday Walking Tour, Oct 5
Two interpretive walking tours with guides will provide specific information related to the Donner Party during the fateful winter of 1846-47. The day begins at the Donner Camp Picnic Area. A presentation will be given about the recent archeological finds at the Donner encampment. Participants will then drive (approx. 8 miles) to Donner Memorial State Park to view the Murphy Cabin Site and Pioneer Monument.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
