Archive for the ‘Donner Summit’ Tag
Castle Peak at Donner Summit
The history of Donner Summit is about much more than the horrible struggle of one party of California bound travelers that gave the area it’s name. Donner Summit is a center of California history because unbelievably it was one of the easiest ways to get over the Sierra, but as we all know, it can be an incredibly challenging passage, especially if you try to do it in a snowstorm.
The first wagon train to reach California was the Stephens Murphy Townshend Party in 1844, which traveled over Donner Pass two years before the ill-fated Donner Party. They stopped on their journey at Big Bend long enough for the first European baby to be born in California, Elizabeth Yuba Murphy. One member of the party was Moses Schallenberger who spent the winter at Donner Lake, and later had the ridge above the lake named after him. Other party members went on to start the cities of Sunnyvale, Murphy’s and Stockton.
The Railroad was completed in 1869, but to get over Donner Summit required fifteen massive tunnels, including Tunnel 6, which was over 1500 feet long and blasted through solid granite by crews of Chinese workers. Some of the rock removed from the tunnels was used to construct the still visible China wall, which was built without the use of mortar.
Serene Lakes
Without refrigeration, ice was a necessary commodity in the west in the mid 1800s, but it was transported all the way from Boston or Alaska at great expense. So when the railroad opened, entrepreneurs saw opportunity in our cold climes. The Summit Ice Company began operation in 1868 at what were then known as the Ice Lakes, later the Serene Lakes. But the operation only lasted four years before Donner Summit’s heavy snows made nearby Prosser Lake, which had even colder temperatures, but little snow, a more attractive alternative.
The three Serene Lakes, were turned into present day Serena and Dulzura with the raising of the water behind a dam in 1941. The construction of a new road into the lakes in 1959, issued a development opportunity, leading to the creation of eight separate subdivisions at the lakes, and over 600 homes as well as Royal Gorge Cross-Country, and the Ice Lakes Lodge.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
So in case you haven’t heard. The big news for folks on Donner Summit, and perhaps for the region as a whole, is that the Truckee Donner Land Trust and several other organizations are in escrow to purchase the 3000 acres where Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area is located. It is not quite a done deal yet, because they have to come up with a fairly sizeable chunk of money to make this happen by mid-December, but if it does, it could have a number of big impacts on the area:
-The proposal to build over 1000 units on Donner Summit, as well as additional commercial development, and ski lifts is kaput. The land will not be developed.
-A major priority for the Truckee Donner Land Trust is to open up land that was previously posted with “No Trespassing” signs, and make it open to public access. TDLT plans on producing a trail use plan for the 3000 acres which will create an extensive new network of hiking and biking trails providing access to mountain lakes, spectacular rocky canyons and the Royal Gorge itself. Public input for this plan will be requested. The new network will not only be a major new recreational attraction for the Donner Summit area, but hopefully it will reduce the burden on the overused Pacific Crest Trail-Mt. Judah Loop trail network.
-Sugar Bowl Ski Area is in negotiations with the purchasers to operate the Royal Gorge Ski Area. With their expertise and existing equipment it is hoped they could get up and running, even with a tight time frame, this winter. Sugar Bowl is also committed to enhancing the ski area, including perhaps upgrading the facilities.
Want to help? You can contact the Truckee Donner Land Trust at http://www.tdlandtrust.org http://www.tdlandtrust.org or the Northern Sierra Partnership at www.northernsierrapartnership.org for more information or to contribute to the fund to purchase the property.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Looking for a beautiful custom home in a land of Alpine splendor just a short stroll from two beautiful lakes? Here you go. The 3000 +- square foot home has three bedrooms plus a family room or 4th sleeping area and a large two car garage. There is a floor to ceiling rock hearth, magnificent great room, refinished wood floors, log staircase, and spacious front deck to entertain or soak up the sunshine and the views. Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl are close by, as is the Pacific Crest Trail, Donner Summit and Donner Lake. This lovely retreat is available for $1,199,000.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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