Donner Summit Lakes
This little surprise is tucked in between I-80 and Old Highway 40 (Donner Pass Road). Easy access, three nice lakes with several smaller ones, can add up to a pleasant, looping round-trip.
Views of Castle Peak and Donner Lake can be breath taking.
None of the winter trail is marked, so a good map and a sense of direction are necessary.
DESCRIPTION:
None of the winter trail is marked, so a good map and a sense of direction are necessary. But with two downhill ski areas on the western flank and two busy highways on each end, it’s hard to get lost for very long. The broken terrain requires a moderate level of skill. Views of Castle Peak and Donner Lake can be breath taking. But at least the breathtaking part is not due to the strenuous trail for a change.
There is no snow play for sledding or tubing permitted at the Sno-Park due to the location on private property. With the trees and broken terrain of underlying granite, snowshoes are probably more suited to getting around.
| Parking Elevation: | 7200 feet | Base Elevation: | 7200 feet | Summit Elevation: | 7685 feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An optional return loop via Boreal Ridge tops out at 7685’ |
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| Snowfall | 0 inches | Season | Early December through April | ||
| Parking: | Sno-Park with fees | Skiable Area | 200 acres | Groomed | No | Terain Park | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowmaking | |||||||
| Runs | Beginner | 0% | Intermediate | 0% | Expert | 0% | |
| Lifts | 0 | Types | |||||
| Contact(s) | |
|---|---|
| Website(s) |
DIRECTIONS:
To Donner Summit Lakes
Turn off I-80 at the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Exit. Drive to the frontage road on the south side of I-80. Follow signs to the Sno-Park at the east end of the frontage road beyond Boreal Inn. Do not park in the Boreal Ridge Ski Area lot.
Topographic map: East Slope -Winter Recreation or U.S.G.S Norden
ACTIVITIES:
Snowshoeing (Rating: Best)
After parking follow the snow-covered access trail to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) Continue heading east paralleling I-80 and going by the CalTran Rest Area. Follow through a dense stand of trees and veer southeast until you emerge into the first snow-covered rocky opening that is facing down Donner Pass to the east. Continue circling to the right and you’ll see Azalea Lake, the first of the three larger lakes. From the lake, while looking back over your shoulder to the northwest, is a picture-perfect view of Castle Peak. Assuming the weather is picture perfect, that is.
Descend into the small basin and continue by the lake through the dense timber to the second lake, Flora. Continue south by Flora and the trees thin out and by staying in the normally rocky notch you can drop down to the third lake, Angela. Except for the massive power line the view to the south and Mount Lincoln, Disney, and Crowsnest is an impressive view of man and nature: Sugar Bowl Ski Area and the mountains that made it possible.
From here the easiest return is back the way you came. For a little more effort you can return north climbing up to the top of Boreal Ridge. Keep the Alpine ski slopes to your left and head northwest using Castle Peak as a bearing marker. Soon you will drop down well to the left of the Boreal Ridge Ski Area runs and return to the Sno-Park.
Difficulty levels: More Difficult
Mileage: 5+ miles
Nordic Cross-country Skiing (Rating: Good)
After parking follow the snow-covered access trail to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) Continue heading east paralleling I-80 and going by the CalTran Rest Area. Follow through a dense stand of trees and veer southeast until you emerge into the first snow-covered rocky opening that is facing down Donner Pass to the east. Continue circling to the right and you’ll see Azalea Lake, the first of the three larger lakes. From the lake, while looking back over your shoulder to the northwest, is a picture-perfect view of Castle Peak. Assuming the weather is picture perfect, that is.
Descend into the small basin and continue by the lake through the dense timber to the second lake, Flora. Continue south by Flora and the trees thin out and by staying in the normally rocky notch you can drop down to the third lake, Angela. Except for the massive power line the view to the south and Mount Lincoln, Disney, and Crowsnest is an impressive view of man and nature: Sugar Bowl Ski Area and the mountains that made it possible.
From here the easiest return is back the way you came. For a little more effort you can return north climbing up to the top of Boreal Ridge. Keep the Alpine ski slopes to your left and head northwest using Castle Peak as a bearing marker. Soon you will drop down well to the left of the Boreal Ridge Ski Area runs and return to the Sno-Park.
Difficulty levels: More Difficult
Mileage: 5+ miles
