General Conditions

Temperatures have been warming over the past week; but today’s peak was only 77°, so it’s not frightening.  In contrast to the previous several weeks, there’s been no precipitation.  But the heavy hail and rain on July 26 sank in enough that’s its still possible to find damp spots on morning trails at 7000 ft.

For weather details, visit the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory web site (https://cssl.berkeley.edu); click on the “Weather Condition Plots” and select “week”.   It takes a couple minutes for the data to load; be patient.  Webcams at Sugar Bowl (http://www.sugarbowl.com/home) and Donner Ski Ranch (http://webcams.donnerskiranch.com/) provide an up-to-the-minute views of current conditions.

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 and Tahoe National Forest are both holding their fire danger levels at “moderate”; but that can change with warmer and drier weather.  Be careful.  Visibility today was 10+ miles — a nice day to be outside.  Find more information at https://www.truckeefire.org/fireban

Flora: Wildflowers are past their peak, but you can still find good displays in places that are relatively cool and moist.  Fireweed, which usually blooms a bit later, is in full flower.  The flowers are purplish; when they go to seed you’ll find lots floating around like milkweed.

Fauna: Mosquitoes are out.  But they are not bothersome except at dusk in damp areas.

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

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (August) sunrise was at 6:07 AM; sunset was at 8:06 PM.  Sunrise drifted later by 7 minutes compared to a week ago. Sunset has drifted earlier by about 8 minutes. The days are getting shorter now by more than 2 minutes per day.  Today’s length of day was 13:59, the first day with less than 14 hours of Sun since spring.

Star Gazing: The Moon is full this weekend.  Stargazing will be challenging because of moonlight scattered from the atmosphere; but that can make picking out constellations easier since the dim stars disappear in the nighttime haze. Look for Scorpio to the south after dark — it resembles an anchor.  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.  Follow the arc of its 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 before sunrise in the east — value added if you’re out looking for meteors,

The Perseids meteor shower peaks August 12-13; it’s one of the most “popular” because there are good meteor counts and it is visible on warm summer nights.  It’s best seen in the early morning hours (like 2-4 AM) when people on Donner Summit can see in the direction of the meteors’ source (the constellation Perseus).  Because of the bright Moon, this is not the best year for viewing … but who knows?  Maybe they will be bright and numerous this year.

Forecast

Today’s midday temperature was in the mid 70s.  Last night’s low was in the mid 40s.  Daytime highs will drift upward into the low 80s Sunday-Monday, then drop back down to the high 60s next weekend (August 16-17) before rising again into the 70s two weeks hence.  Overnight lows will remain in the 40s throughout.  The highest predicted chance of precipitation in the next two weeks is 3%.

Summit Calendar

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 9 (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 16 (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 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.  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.   DSR’s Old 40 Bar and Grill is open daily 8 AM – 9 PM. 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 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 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.