General Conditions

Weather has been pretty stable at Donner Summit over the past week — daytime highs in the 70s, overnight lows around 50°, and mostly sunny but with a few afternoon clouds (https://cssl.berkeley.edu)..  Most of the snow is gone at 7000 ft elevation; deciduous trees and shrubs are leafing out.  Van Norden Meadow is soggy, but you can walk or bike the Old Lincoln Highway.  Daffodils are blooming where people have planted them in sunny locations; it’s still a little early for wildflowers.  Mosquitos are coming out.  Webcams at Sugar Bowl (http://www.sugarbowl.com/home) and Donner Ski Ranch (http://webcams.donnerskiranch.com/) provide an up-to-the-minute view of current conditions.

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (June 5) sunrise was at 5:35 AM; sunset will be at 8:20 PM.  Sunrise drifted earlier by about 2 minutes compared to last week. Sunset is drifting later by about 5 minutes each week. The days continue to get longer — but now by only about a minute each day.  Sunrise turns around (becoming later) this week, sunset turns around (becoming earlier) in the first week of July.  The two cross at the summer solstice (June 20) when we have the longest day.  We’re now getting almost 15 hours of sunshine each day.

Star Gazing: The Moon has passed first quarter and will be full next week, so evening star gazing is challenging.  However, the summer constellations are starting to appear; look for Scorpio (it looks like an anchor) in the southeast.  The Big Dipper is easily visible to the northwest with its handle pointing toward overhead.  Mars is still visible in the evening sky, but you have to know where to look — to the right and somewhat below Leo in the west.  The easiest planet to spot is Venus —very bright  in the east around 5 AM.

Forecast

Conditions should continue to be stable over the next week with only oscillations in temperature.  Today will be relatively cool (hi/lo range of 65°/39·).  Temperatures will rise to 74°/44° next Tuesday (June 10), drop to 61°/37° next Saturday (June 14), then rise again to 74°/42° two weeks from today (June 19).  Expect only a few clouds throughout, though there is a slight chance (15%) for an afternoon thundershower if all of the right conditions align.  Protect against too much sun exposure with sunblock, glasses, and hats; it’s bright out there.

Events

June 7 (Saturday), 9 AM – Noon: Join DSA for the annual Summit Clean-Up Day.  Wear sturdy footwear; bring gloves and sun protection.  Sign-in at the Soda Springs General Store 9-10 AM; get an area assignment and supplies.  Return to the Store for a free lunch after dropping trash in a local dumpster (provided).  For more info, text 530-448-1837 or see Clean-up_Flyer_rev

June 10 (Tuesday) 6 PM: Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party, a history talk by Ron Grove at Truckee Tahoe Airport (10356 Truckee Airport Rd., Truckee).  For more info, go to https://museumoftruckeehistory.org/

June 20 (Friday): This Play Forever Friday is also the planned opening day for all mountain bike parks and trails at Boreal/Woodward.  Get a day pass for $25, and $5 goes to a local charity.  For more information, check https://www.rideboreal.com/explore/community/all-events/play-forever-friday-062025/

July 3-6 (Thursday-Sunday): Rainbow Lodge will be open to the public for overnight lodging.  The restaurant and bar will be open for walk-ins on Friday and Saturday nights.  For more information, go to https://www.therainbowlodge.com/events

July 4 (Friday) 9:40 AM: Firecracker Mile in Truckee — a benefit race supporting the Auburn Ski Club Legacy Foundation.  For more information and registration, go to https://www.asctrainingcenter.org/events-races/truckee-firecracker/

July 7-11` (Monday-Friday): The first of four 5-day Sugar Bowl summer camps for ages 4-17 (age-appropriate subdivisions). A dynamic blend of outdoor recreation, skill-building, and light education.  Learn more at https://www.sugarbowl.com/summer-camp

July 11 (Friday) 6-9 PM: Join the South Yuba River Citizens League for their annual Wild for the Yuba dinner and auction in Nevada City — a benefit for SYRCL’s scholarship program.  For more information and tickets, go to https://yubariver.org/

July 12 and 13 (Saturday and Sunday): Trails and Vistas Art Hikes — A fusion of art experiences and forest immersion.  Guides lead small groups from one performance setting to the next, where award-winning musicians, dancers, poets, and visual artists present their works.  For more information, go to https://www.trailsandvistas.org.

July 19 (Saturday) 2 PM – ??: Dance Party in the cul de sac at the west end of Allen Drive in Serene Lakes.  Music by the Rock-O-Holics, ice cream at intermission.  Bring chairs and drinks; a donation for the band would be appreciated.

July 21-25 (Monday-Friday): Water Week Science Camp by Headwaters Science Institute at Serene Lakes gives children ages 5-12 a chance to explore nature while having fun in the mountain environment.  For more information, go to https://headwatersscienceinstitute.org/science-camp/summer-camps/

July 31-August 1 (Monday-Friday): Plants and Wildflowers Science Camp by Headwaters Science Institute at Serene Lakes gives children ages 5-12 a chance to explore nature while having fun in the mountain environment.  For more information, go to https://headwatersscienceinstitute.org/science-camp/summer-camps/

August 2 (Saturday): Join the Donner Party Mountain Runners for the 4th annual running of the Point Mariah Trail Marathon.  Single, partner, and 5-person team categories are available.  For more information and registration, go to https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/point-mariah-trail-marathon/

August 4-8 (Monday-Friday): Animals and Insects Science Camp by Headwaters Science Institute at Serene Lakes gives children ages 5-12 a chance to explore nature while having fun in the mountain environment.  For more information, go to https://headwatersscienceinstitute.org/science-camp/summer-camps/

October 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday): Donner Party Hikes.  Choose from among eight Saturday hikes with a guide who provides historical commentary.   Distances range from 2 to 6 miles.  There will be a Sunday tour at Alder Creek and an exploration at Donner Memorial State Park.  For more information and registration, go to https://donnerpartyhike.com/general-information/

Resorts

Boreal/Woodward (indoors) is open Monday-Friday 1-8 PM and weekends 10 AM – 8 PM.   There are a number of other possibilities ranging from 2-hour sessions to 5-day action camps.  Check https://www.rideboreal.com

Auburn Ski Club is closed for the season.   Check their web site — https://www.asctrainingcenter.org — for more information.  Pull down the “Events and Races” tab for information on the 4th of July Truckee Firecracker benefit race.

Donner Ski Ranch has closed for the season — “The snow has gone.”   DSR’s Old 40 Bar and Grill is open daily from 8 AM. Check the DSR web site at https://www.donnerskiranch.com

Sugar Bowl winter operations are closed for the season.  For summer activities, check  https://www.sugarbowl.com

Soda Springs Mountain Resort is closed for the season.  For more information, visit https://www.skisodasprings.com/

Royal Gorge is closed for the season.  Check http://www.royalgorge.com/home for more information.

Kingvale Resort (on the south side of I-80 at exit 171) is closed for the season.

Avalanche Forecast

The Sierra Avalanche Center issued its final avalanche forecast on April 19.  The forecast advised caution where heavy wet snow overlies weak layers, especially on steeper slopes.  Check the SAC web site (https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org) for details.

Roads

I-80: The forecast is generally favorable for the next two weeks, but be alert to construction and lane closures.  There are at least three possible choke points eastbound — the worst between Rainbow Road and Soda Springs.  You can get onto “Old 40” at Cisco Grove and drive at a more leisurely pace along Hampshire Rocks Road and Donner Pass Road all the way to Truckee.  Plan ahead by following CalTrans road reports at https://roads.dot.ca.gov.

General: Paved secondary roads around the Summit should be open with no restrictions.  Off-highway vehicle routes (unpaved) will open as snow melts.  Roadside snow along I-80 begins at about 5500 ft elevation.