General Conditions

Spring-like conditions continue at Donner Summit, but the last 7 days have shown us more of the season’s wintry side. The Central Sierra Snow Lab in Norden (https://cssl.berkeley.edu/) reports 5.9 inches of new snow in the past week, mostly on Monday; and the sunny, near 70° daytime highs of last week have been replaced by temperatures in the 50s.  In fact, the high Monday was closer to 35°.  CSSL now reports 369 inches of total snowfall this season compared to a 360 inch median over 1991-2020.  On north-facing slopes at 7000 ft the snowpack is 0-4 feet — bare ground around tree trunks, but lots of snow elsewhere.  If you’re on a south-facing slope without much tree cover, it’s mostly bare ground.  It’s easy to walk on the biscotti-like snow in the morning; by afternoon there’s 1-2 inches of soft snow on top — still easy walking, but sometimes slippery.   Be very careful at stream crossings; we have had years with bigger runoffs, but this year’s is still very respectable (see photo below).   Check web cams at Sugar Bowl (http://www.sugarbowl.com/home) and Donner Ski Ranch (http://webcams.donnerskiranch.com/) for up-to-the-minute views of current conditions.

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (May 15) sunrise was at 5:47 AM; sunset will be at 8:08 PM.  Sunrise is drifting earlier by about 7 minutes each week. Sunset is drifting later by about 6 minutes each week. The days continue to get longer — by about 2 minutes each day.  Sunrise turns around (becoming later) in early June, sunset turns around (becoming earlier) in the first week of July.  The two cross over at the summer solstice (June 20), when we have the longest day.  We’re now getting more than 14 hours of sunshine each day.

Star Gazing: Roughly 25° above the western horizon after sunset (8:45 PM) you should be able to spot Jupiter, which is now the brightest star-like object in that part of the sky. At the same time, look for Mars; it’s halfway between the Gemini twins and Leo (a left-to-right flipped question mark).  The Moon was full on May 12; it rises well after sunset, so evening star gazing should be fine.  At midnight you should be able to spot the Big Dipper nearly overhead; the pan opens to the north and the handle stretches east.  If you’re up at 5 AM and have a good view of the eastern horizon, you should be able to spot Venus.

Forecast

The next two weeks will continue to be spring-like.  However, as has been true for most of the past month, this weekend (May 17-18) is an exception.  Daytime highs will be in the upper 50s today and tomorrow, and overnight lows will be in the upper 30s.  Saturday (May 17) the thermometer will only reach 46°, and there could be afternoon showers.  It will be mostly sunny for the following 7 days with temperatures rising to the upper 60s by Memorial Day weekend.  The week starting Memorial Day (May 26) will be cooler (highs around 60°) and partly cloudy.

If you want to recreate outdoors at Donner Summit, Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26) looks better than this weekend (May 17-18).  .  This Saturday will be cool (46°) and showery; Sunday will be warmer (55°) with mostly sun.  Expect 67° for Memorial Day weekend (except 62° Monday) and partly cloudy each day.

Events

May 19 (Monday) 3-4 PM: Defensible Space Work Plan Webinar. Hear what Truckee Fire Wildfire Prevention has planned for the season — which neighborhoods are on the inspection list, and what tools and resources are available to help you get your property —and your peace of mind—fire-ready. Register at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/6fb7d96c-0af2-41e8-9da0-2c6839a6d1e9@a4a55da3-2597-4512-811d-dc8ff72e5720

May 21 (Wednesday) 3-4:30 PM: Truckee Fire Firewise Virtual Office Hours.  A free on-line webinar about wildfire mitigation, resources available, and Firewise Communities.  Register for Truckee Fire’s Firewise Virtual Office Hours at https://www.truckeefire.org/firewise

May 23-26 (Friday-Monday): Open tavern and bar and overnight lodging for the public at Rainbow Lodge.  For details, go to    https://www.therainbowlodge.com/events.  Guest rooms may be booked at https://therainbowlodge.client.innroad.com/ 

May 24 (Saturday), 3-5 PM: Join DSA at Rainbow Lodge for a briefing on plans to upgrade Gould Park in Cisco Grove (https://www.placer.ca.gov/5974/Cisco-Grove-Gould-Park).  This is your chance to provide feedback on improvements that will make the park more appealing to both locals and visitors.  Proposed changes include new signs, walking paths, an artists’ corner, and a bike repair station.  Light refreshments will be provided.  If you can’t attend but have suggestions or comments, send e-mail to  admin@donnersummitca.com.  See also Gould_Park_Poster

June 7 (Saturday), 9 AM – Noon: Join the 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

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

October 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday): Donner Party Hikes.  Choose from among 8 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

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

Boreal (the winter mountain) is closed for the season.   Woodward (indoors) is open Monday-Friday 1-8 PM and weekends 10 AM – 8 PM.   There will be a summer outdoor program.  Check https://www.rideboreal.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 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) offers tubing, sledding, and a rope tow terrain park. Their web site is http://www.kingvaleresort.com. For snowmobile tours, you can check the web site of their Kingvale partner at https://www.hlatours.com

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: There are currently no chain requirements on I-80 and the forecast is generally favorable for the next two weeks.  But be alert to construction and lane closures.  Plan ahead by following CalTrans road reports at https://roads.dot.ca.gov. Public parking is available at California Sno-Park sites (https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23055); purchase permits in advance through the web site or at vendors on approaches to Donner Summit.

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.