General Conditions

We’re in an oscillating weather pattern with a few days of hot summer weather (highs in the upper 70s) switching with a few days of high temperatures in the 50s.  Although clouds build during the afternoon, there’s been no measurable rain in the past week.   However, shaded trails still have damp spots in the morning after moisture from rains a couple weeks ago has worked its way back to the surface.  The Central Sierra Snow Laboratory (https://cssl.berkeley.edu) has daily, weekly, and monthly conditions on their web site.   Webcams at Sugar Bowl (http://www.sugarbowl.com/home) and Donner Ski Ranch (http://webcams.donnerskiranch.com/) provide up-to-the-minute views of current conditions.  It’s nice weather for being outdoors but keep an eye out for the showers.

Wildfire: The seasonal campfire ban has been in effect since late June.  No open fires — including campfires, charcoal grills, etc.  Gas grills are OK.  Truckee Fire rates its fire danger on the Summit as “moderate”; Tahoe National Forest also says fire danger is  “moderate”.   Regardless, be careful; there’s plenty of combustible material on the ground to feed a wildfire if one gets started.  Find more information at https://www.truckeefire.org/fireban   The Garnet fire is still producing Purple Air AQI in the range 100-200 east of Fresno; but wind across California has died, so AQI along the entire east side of the Sierra is 20-40 this morning (including around Donner Summit and Lake Tahoe).

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (September 18) sunrise was at 6:45 AM; sunset will be at 7:04 PM.  Sunrise drifted later by 7 minutes compared to a week ago. Sunset has drifted earlier by about 11 minutes. The days are getting shorter by about 2-1/2 minutes per day.  The fall equinox (equal day and night hours) is September 22.

Star Gazing: The Moon is approaching new, so evening star gazing will continue to be good this week (except for the haze).   Look for the Big Dipper, visible to the northwest; it rests on the northwestern horizon in the correct position to “hold water” at about 11 PM.  Earlier in the evening, follow the arc of its handle leftward to Arcturus, the only bright star in that part of the sky.  Saturn is at opposition on Sunday (September 21).  That means the Sun, Earth, and Saturn are almost in a straight line.  Saturn is closest to Earth at that point, so it is at its brightest.  Look for it about 45° above the southern horizon around midnight; it’s bright but not dazzling.  Being a planet, it does not twinkle.  With a pair of binoculars, you should be able to make out the rings that circle the planet.  The easiest planet to spot is Venus — very bright at 6 AM and about 15° above the eastern horizon (near the crescent Moon for a few days).  Higher in the eastern sky (and not quite so bright) is Jupiter.

Forecast

High temperatures will be in the mid-70s today, then will plummet to the mid-50s tomorrow as a cold front moves through.  Expect showers after midnight tonight, continuing through the day tomorrow.  The forecast includes a quarter inch of rain by sunset on Friday.  Winds will be from the northwest at 5-10 MPH, shifting to southwest as the front moves out on Saturday. High temperatures will be in the mid-60s and it will be mostly sunny this weekend.  Monday’s forecast high is 75°, but it will be cooler later in the week.  The first week of October will have highs in the mid-60s, overnight lows in the mid-30s and mostly sunny skies.

Summit Calendar

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

September 18 (Thursday) 5-6 PM: Monthly meeting of the Donner Summit Association Board of Directors in the main lodge at Soda Springs Mountain Resort.  For the agenda, click here agenda_with_attachments

September 20 (Saturday): South Yuba River Citizens League Annual Yuba River Clean-up.  Morning activities in Van Norden Meadow and at the Castle Peak trailhead have been canceled because coordinators have concluded they are in good condition; but SYRCL can use help at other locations downstream.  Find more information at https://www.yubariver.org

September 20 (Saturday) 12-3 PM: DSA’s annual SummitFest at Soda Springs Mountain Resort.  A benefit with live music, food, drinks, auctions, and fun.  Order tickets on-line (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donner-summit-fest-2025-tickets-1648889285239?aff=oddtdtcreator) or pay at the door (adults $25, kids $10).  Click here for more details: poster

September 30 (Tuesday): Deadline for survey responses to the Truckee Recreation and Parks District’s Comprehensive Master Plan and Recommendations (the District includes Donner Summit).  View the plan at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d332689eeb0546908f466d5d0471eff4.  Take the survey at https://designworkshop.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ezGv72xVYBqD7BI

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/

October 11-12 (Saturday and Sunday): Oktoberfest at Rainbow Lodge.  The Lodge and bar are open to the public starting at 3 PM Saturday.  Food service is available 5-9 PM, and Manzanita Music is live 6-9 PM.  For more information, go to https://www.therainbowlodge.com/events

Resorts

Boreal/Woodward (indoors) is open Wednesday-Friday 1-8 PM and weekends 10 AM – 8 PM.   The Castle Peak chair and MTB trails are open Friday (1-5 PM) and Saturday-Sunday (10-5).  Check https://www.rideboreal.com for details

Sugar Bowl summer activities are winding down; check  https://www.sugarbowl.com.  Sugar Bowl is making major upgrades to its main lodge.  For a 3-minute video about the project, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL7imGrXCt0

Donner Ski Ranch is closed for the season; but Disk Golf is open.   DSR’s Old 40 Bar and Grill is open daily 8 AM – 9 PM. 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 wrapped its  Summer Après Series —over Labor Day weekend.  Royal Gorge is now waiting for snow.  Watch https://www.royalgorge.com/home for the latest information.

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

For those heavily into speculation, three resorts (none on Donner Summit) have announced target opening dates for the winter season (https://epaper.sierrasun.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=3ee86800-0b96-47c1-92da-da9138ad31aa): Heavenly November 21, Northstar November 21, and Kirkwood December 5.  Announcements include wording such as “based on weather and conditions”.

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 avoid 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 across I-80 on Donner Pass Road, then go all the way to Donner Lake and 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 but be prepared for repair work and occasional delays.  Forestry along Soda Springs Road between the railroad tracks and Serene Lakes is nearly complete (if not finished); impact on travel has been minimal.  Off-highway vehicle routes (unpaved) are mostly open, but watch for pot holes, rocks, and ruts.  Forest Road 85 north from Cisco Grove is closed (for several years) while the Lake Fordyce Dam Seepage Mitigation Project is completed.