Donner Lake

The neighborhoods around Donner Lake consist of both primary and secondary homes.  Most are within walking distance to this high mountain lake.  History buffs and nature seekers are often drawn to Donner Lake, an area bordered by Donner Memorial State Park on the east and Donner Summit on the west.  Be sure to visit the Donner Party Museum, it is an inexpensive and fascinating diversion for people of all ages.  There is a video which is shown often throughout the day explaining what happened to the Donner Party Travelers.

The area also is a favorite with rock climbers.  At the west end of the lake, the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District maintains a public beach and a public boat ramp.  There are also Recreation District public docks scattered along the east side of the lake where the public can lay out a towel, get some sun, go swimming or try their luck catching some German Brown or

Rainbow Trout.  There are also put-in points along the east side of the lake where you can launch your kayak or canoe.

The Donner Lake area’s drinking water is supplied by Truckee Donner Public Utility District.  Truckee Sanitary District (sewer) services most of the Donner Lake area.  Electric service is also supplied by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District.  There is a property owner’s association which has a limited number of memberships available www.dlpoa.org.  They have a private beach with another launch facility.

Donner Lake Turkey Trot Cancelled!! November 13th 2011

In its 34th year, advertised as running no matter what — rain or shine, the Auburn Ski Club was forced to cancel the Donner Lake Turkey Trot scheduled for Sunday, November 13, 2012.

Citing the concern over the slipperiness of the road, the Truckee Police Department put the kibosh on the race on Thursday afternoon.  Sorry everyone — a lot of disappointed runners out there.

I’m going to try to make it around the lake tomorrow without slipping — by myself — not in a race — if you would like to join me, be there at 10:30 am.

Hike in Coldstream Canyon near Donner Lake, CA

We finally got some more snow here last night — boy did we need it. But before the great white blanket fell on Truckee-Tahoe, my friend and I and our dogs got out on a sunny Friday afternoon last week and took a walk on the hardpacked snowmobile trail in Coldstream Canyon.

In case you don’t know where Coldstream Canyon is, it is located just after you exits highway 80 at Donner Lake (in fact I think that the exit is called “Coldstream Canyon.”  If you just stay on the road after you exit, you will run right smack dab into it.  Just go as far as you can to the end of the paved and plowed road (about 1/4 mile)  and park your car.

We saw lots of people (and their dogs, I might add)  cross country skiing, snowshoeing and some even backpacking with some skiis they identified as split snowboard skis.  Apparently the apparatus really is a snowboard that has been split down the middle longitudinally and can be used with skins to back country ski.  Once you have arrived at your destination, you put the board back together and you snowboard down the hill.  Pretty interesting I’d say.  These people were headed to the “Lost Trail Lodge,” where I presume they will be camping out in some pretty nice but remote accommodations.

In any event, here is just another opportunity for us and you to enjoy the great outdoors, summer or winter, for FREE.  Let us know if you need more information.  Maybe we’ll see you out there!!

12165 Bernese Lane – Tahoe Donner

Wonderful cabin located in Truckee’s amenity laden Tahoe Donner Subdivision.  This home has it all, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and an attached 2 car garage.  Set on a perfectly level lot with southern exposure and located in the lower part of the subdivision so you get lots of snow but not too much!!   Extensive use of wood includes wrapped windows, vaulted pine ceilings, wood accent wall and hardwood floors.  The owners have taken such good care of this home, it hardly looks its age.  There is even a nice back deck that opens to a greenbelt setting affording fantastic privacy.  All this, so affordably priced at $450,000 make it a great choice for either full time residents or second homeowners.

A Donner Lake Jog at 7:30 am

Jennifer and I went for a little jog this morning.  It was cold and bright, about 37 degrees F when we arrived and about 41 when we finished.  I took this little video because I am playing with the Flip and wanted to see how it works.  Also, wanted to mark the “close to end of season” so I can look back when the snow is on the ground and remind myself that summer is just around the corner!