General Conditions

Last weekend the Summit had perfect summer weather, then a cold front passed through and there were scattered showers Monday.  It remains pleasantly cool for summer — daytime highs around 70°, overnight lows in the low 40s.  For details, visit the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory web site (https://cssl.berkeley.edu); click on the “Weather Condition Plots” and select “week”. 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. Purple Air AQI is mostly in single digits around the Summit.

Wildfire: The seasonal campfire ban has been in effect for a month.  No open fires — including campfires, charcoal grills, etc.  Gas grills are OK.  Fire danger is currently rated as “high”.  Find more information at https://www.truckeefire.org/fireban

Flora: Summer wildflowers are in full bloom, though they are past prime on dry sunny slopes.  For the best flowers, visit meadows and gullies where it’s cooler and more moist.  Hike over a range of altitudes and sun exposures, and you’ll find most.

Fauna: Mosquitoes are out, especially at dawn and dusk; but they are really annoying only near wet areas.

Radiation: Protect yourself against sun by wearing a hat and glasses; and use sun block.

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (July 24) sunrise was at 5:54 AM; sunset will be at 8:20 PM.  Sunrise drifted later by 6 minutes compared to a week ago. Sunset has drifted earlier by about 5 minutes. The days are getting shorter by almost 2 minutes per day.  The summer solstice was on June 20 when the Summit had its longest day (14 hours 57 minutes); today’s length of day is 14:26.

Star Gazing: The Moon is new today.  Stargazing will be unaffected by scattered moonlight from the atmosphere for the next few days as the evening crescent appears and grows.  The Milky Way should be visible during late evening hours — after twilight is gone.  Look for Scorpio — it resembles an anchor — to the south.  Sagittarius (a constellation that looks like a five-pointed star; some imagine a teapot) is to the southeast.  The Big Dipper is easily visible to the northwest with its handle pointing toward overhead.  Follow the arc of the handle to Arcturus, the only bright star in that part of the sky.  The easiest planet to spot is Venus — very bright  in the east at 4-5 AM.  With good viewing, you’ll be able to see Jupiter just before sunrise in the east..

Forecast

Expect continued cool through this weekend (July 26-27) — highs in the upper 60s, lows in the low 40s.  There’s 15-20% chance of rain through Sunday.  The next week, including the weekend of August 2-3,  will be about 5° warmer with almost no chance of rain.  Then temperatures will start rising back to more seasonal levels — upper 70s daytime and upper 40s overnight through the first full week of August.  That warming will be accompanied by a few more clouds.

Events

July 26 (Saturday) 7 AM – 5 PM: Mountain Tiger Donner Summit is a brand new, point-to-point, 11-mile trail race covering some of the most beautiful terrain in Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl. Stick around for the post-race food, drink and killer raffle with prizes from The North Face, Arc’teryx, CAPiTA, Pit Viper, and more.  For more information and registration, go to https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=120391&utm_term=6.23.25&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=summer

July 26 (Saturday) 10 AM-Noon: Join Alecia Weisman of the South Yuba River Citizens League for a tour and briefing on recent restoration work in Van Norden Meadow and upcoming plans.  You should have registered by Tuesday, July 22, by e-mail to alecia@yubariver.org.  See also van_norden_tour

July 26 (Saturday) Noon – 3 PM: Tri-tip BBQ at the Soda Springs General Store from noon until supplies run out.  Live. music and wine tasting 1-3 PM.

July 26-27 (Saturday-Sunday): The Donner Lake Triathlon has several components — a kids triathlon and a Donner Lake sprint on Saturday and both a half- and full-triathlon on Sunday.  Donner Pass Road will be closed from South Shore Drive to the snow gate near the Summit 7 AM – 12:30 PM Sunday.  For more information go to https://donnerlaketri.com/schedule/

July 28-August 1 (Monday-Friday) 8:30 AM-4:30 PM: The fourth and final week-long day camp at Sugar Bowl.  Aimed age-appropriately at kids 4-17 with hiking, rope skills, rock climbing, water fun and more.  For additional information, go to https://www.sugarbowl.com/events

July 28-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 2 (Saturday) Noon – 3 PM: Tri-tip BBQ at the Soda Springs General Store from noon until supplies run out.  Live. music and wine tasting 1-3 PM.

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/

August 7 (Thursday) 8:30 AM – Noon: Join DSA and local rock climbers in a graffiti-removal project at the Summit tunnels and snowsheds (https://www.donnersummitca.com/project/graffiti-removal/).  Meet at The Hub (the top of Donner Pass Road), then paint over graffiti that mars the natural environment.  Wear clothing that doesn’t mind getting dirty and paint-splattered; tools and supplies are provided.  Rock climbing is not required.  E-mail pmalberg@ipc.org by August 4 to sign up.

August 9 (Saturday) 10 AM – 5 PM: Celebrate designation of the Chinese Camp at Donner Summit as a National Historic Landmark.  The Camp was home to laborers who dug the tunnels through Summit granite in the late 1860s, allowing completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.  The celebration will be in Sacramento.  More information is at https://1882foundation.org/

August 23-24 (Saturday-Sunday): Join the Sacramento Pacific International Trials Society for its Cookie Crumble/Hard Head Trial event at Donner Ski Ranch.  For more information, visit https://www.sactopits.org/event-details/cookie-crumble-hard-head-at-donner-ski-ranch-august-23-24-2025

August 26 – October 15 (approx): Reconstruction of Van Norden Dam Road near Sheep Pens.  Road will be closed for 3 weeks starting about September 8.

September 20 (Saturday): DSA’s annual Summit Fest at Soda Springs Mountain Resort.  A benefit with live music, food, drinks, auctions, and fun.  Details soon.

September 20 (Saturday): South Yuba River Citizens League Annual Yuba River Clean-up.  There will be activities in Van Norden Meadow and at the Castle Peak trailhead.  Registration opens August 1.  Find more information at https://www.yubariver.org

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

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

Donner Ski Ranch is closed for the season.   DSR’s Old 40 Bar and Grill is open daily from 8 AM. Disk golf is also open at DSR.  Check the DSR web site at https://www.donnerskiranch.com

Auburn Ski Club is closed for the season.   Check their web site — https://www.asctrainingcenter.org — for more information.

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

Royal Gorge brings back its Summer Après Series —bigger, tastier, and more vibrant than ever. Join Fridays (plus a few select Saturdays) at Summit Station for golden-hour mountain views, seasonal eats, craft cocktails, and live music. Après runs 3-9 PM, with music 6-8 PM.  Go to https://www.royalgorge.com/home for more information.

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

Other Activities

If you’re looking for things to do in the foothills and mountains, Nevada County has some suggestions.  These are spread more broadly but some specifically include the Summit area.  Some link to other parts of this web site.

https://gonevadacounty.com/ways-to-beat-heat-that-arent-swimming/ (like ice cream)

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 — Crystal Springs to Drum Forebay, at the I-80/CA20 split, and between Rainbow Road and Soda Springs.  You can avid the third by exiting at Cisco Grove and driving at a more leisurely pace on Hampshire Rocks Road, which parallels the freeway on the north side.   Continue onto Donner Pass Road all the way to Truckee.  Note that several ramps between Gold Run and Donner Summit are closed while being reconstructed.  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) are mostly open, but watch for pot holes, rocks, and ruts.