Aug 26, 2010 - Donner Pass & Abandoned Railroad Sheds

This weeks Geezer adventure was a hike through the abandoned railroad snow sheds at Donner Pass. This hike was rated as easy/moderate.

The hike begin at the Pacific Crest Trailhead (PCT) on the Old Donner Pass Road (same one used for the Mt Judah hike previously this year)- elevation about 7000'. The hike followed the PCT up to the junction of the Emigrant Overland Trail (EOT) then to the saddle below Donner Peak- elevation about 7850. The hike continued down the EOT to the vicinity of the of the abandoned railroad tracks and snow sheds at around the 6750 elevation. From there, the hike returned to the start. The length of the hike was about 8.2 miles. There was a climb at the start of the hike to the Donner Peak saddle, and a decent to the railroad roadbed, then a gradual ascent via the roadbed/road back to the start. Good flashlights were needed as the snow sheds were very dark with uneven footings and water puddles. There were a bunch of weary geezers at the end of the trail but Foster Freeze was just 60 minutes away so we dragged ourselves into the vehicles and raced for the finish line!