General Conditions

We have been in a very stable weather pattern for the past few weeks.  Daytime highs in the 70s, overnight lows around 50°.  Skies have been sunny, though clouds build during the afternoon; not much chance for precipitation.  For the weekly record, visit the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory web site (https://cssl.berkeley.edu); click on the “Weather Condition Plots” and select “week”.  The data collection has been down for most of the past week, but it seems to be up and running again.

You can still find snow on the north side of peaks and in some sheltered locations at 7000 ft; but it’s mostly gone.  Wildflowers are blooming — mules ears, paintbrush, stickweed — more where there has been a lot of sun, less in the shade.  Mosquitos are 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.

If hiking, expect more than the usual number of downed trees; but they are being cleared from trails as time and resources allow.  Fire danger around the Summit is “moderate” (https://www.truckeefire.org/).  Residential burn permits are being suspended by Truckee Fire on June 23.  Greenwaste programs are up and running.

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (June 19) sunrise was at 5:34 AM; sunset will be at 8:31 PM.  Sunrise drifted later by 1 minute compared to last week. Sunset has drifted later by about 2 minutes. The days continue to get longer, but not by much.  The summer solstice is tomorrow (Friday, June 20) when we have our longest day (14 hours 57 minutes) at the Summit.  You can get the full 15 hours by going to Graeagle tomorrow.

Star Gazing: The Moon will  be new next Wednesday (June 25).  Evening star gazing will be great for the next 10 days.  Summer constellations are appearing; look for Scorpio — it resembles an anchor in 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.  Mars is still visible in the evening sky, but you have to know where to look — it’s drifting past Regulus, the bright star at the bottom of the inverted question mark in the constellation Leo.  Look for the Mars and Regulus pair (separated by only a thumb’s width) in the western sky after sunset.  The easiest planet to spot is Venus —very bright  in the east around 5 AM.

Forecast

Very comfortable conditions should continue for the next couple weeks — except for a sudden cold snap tomorrow.  The forecast is for a high/low range 72°/39° today (June 19) and tonight; but the high tomorrow will be only 54° and the low Saturday morning will be 27°.  It will be sunny but also windy.  The cold continues Saturday (when there is a 21% chance of precipitation).  But Sunday will be warmer (61°/36°) and Monday more so (66°/38°).  After that, we’ll be back in the summer comfort zone.  In fact, next weekend (June 28-29) temperatures will be (80°/47°).  Both of the next two weekends should be great for outdoor activities; but it will be 60° this weekend and 80° next weekend.  Because of the high sun angle, thin atmosphere, and long days protect yourself against sunburn with glasses, hats, and sunscreen.

Events

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 6 (Sunday) 9 AM – 1 PM: Join the Truckee Donner Land Trust for a docent-led wildflower hike to Rowton Peak (6 miles, 1600 ft of elevation change).  For more information about this and other 2025 TDLT hikes, go to https://www.truckeedonnerlandtrust.org/hiking-schedule

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 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.  Register by Tuesday, July 22, by e-mail to alecia@yubariver.org.  See also van_norden_tour

July 26-27 (Saturday-Sunday): Donner Lake Triathlon has several components — kids triathlon and 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 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 is closed for the season.   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.