General Conditions

It’s been cool around Donner Summit over the past week with daytime highs rarely getting above 70°.  Yesterday’s high was 61°.  Overnight lows have been in the low 40s.  There has been some wind, but there’s been no rain since just before the Labor Day weekend.  PG&E cut power for about 24 hours last Saturday morning until midday Sunday, anticipating serious wind; but damage, if any, was light around the Summit.  The Central Sierra Snow Lab web site (https://cssl.berkeley.edu/) has details, but CSSL is recalibrating instrumentation so some data streams may be temporarily unavailable.

Purple Air AQI around the Summit this morning was in the 20s (good air quality).  There is an active fire near the California-Nevada border (about one square mile, 5% contained); westbound I-80 has been closed since yesterday at the Nevada line.  But the prevailing winds are from the southwest, so the effects on The Summit are negligible.   USFS and Truckee Fire rate the fire danger today as “moderate”.

Sunrise/Sunset: Today’s (September 17) sunrise was at 6:44 AM, about 6 minutes later than a week ago.  Sunset will be at 7:06 PM, about 11 minutes earlier than last week.  The days are getting shorter — by about 2-1/2 minutes each day; this combined rate will continue through the autumn equinox (next Tuesday, September 22) into mid-October.

Star Gazing: The Moon will reach first quarter tomorrow, so evening stargazing will be less than optimum because of the scattered moonlight. On the southwestern horizon, look for the constellation Scorpius.  The scorpion’s tail resembles an anchor lying on its side.  Sagittarius looks like a 5-pointed star (some imagine a teapot) and is to the east of Scorpius.  Cassiopeia looks like a “W” rotated about 90° above the northeastern horizon; the Big Dipper is low to the northwest and oriented just about right to hold water at 10 PM. Vega is the bright star west of overhead at 10 PM.  When there is no Moon (and no clouds) you should be able to make out the Milky Way — a very faint band of light stretching between Cassiopeia and Sagittarius.  It’s close to overhead at 10:30 PM.   Cygnus (the Swan constellation) flies along the Milky Way.

Venus is the bright star-like object above the southwestern horizon just after sunset.  If you have a good view toward the southwest, you can see it for a couple hours after sunset.  Venus was at maximum eastward separation from the Sun on August 14.  Over the next six weeks, Venus will move between the Sun and Earth, becoming harder to see.  After passing through inferior conjunction on October 24, it becomes the “morning star”.

Forecast

Conditions on Donner Summit will continue fall-like over the next two weeks with daytime highs in the 60s and overnight lows around 40°.  There will be an upward bump in temperature in the middle of next week (to the mid-70s).  The overnight low tonight could be below freezing.  Skies will be mostly sunny.  Chances of precipitation rise above 10% Friday and Saturday next week (September 25-26).

Summit News (date unspecific)

Cannabis Dispensary in Soda Springs: A community discussion with Nevada County Supervisor Hardy Bullock is planned for September 19.  The Board of Supervisors meets in Truckee October 6 to discuss (and possibly vote on) the issue.  See Summit Calendar below for details.

Truckee Fire Fuel Reduction: Began after Labor Day along Hampshire Rocks/Donner Pass Road between Cisco Grove and Kingvale.  The tree thinning and removal will begin with contractors.  The goal is to improve emergency access and egress along these key roadways.

Donner Lake Rim Trail (South): The Truckee Donner Land Trust has completed 4 of a planned 15 miles of non-motorized trail on the south side of Donner Lake.  The newly completed section lies along Schallengberger Ridge.  For more information, visit https://www.truckeedonnerlandtrust.org/news-events/donner-lake-rim-trail-south-2026-update

Forestry Work in Serene Lakes: A forest health and wildfire resilience project has begun west of Hillside in Serene Lakes.  The Big Ben Trail and its feeders will be closed for about a month.  An earlier project  — north of Cascade, Pahatsi, and Kidd Lake Road and west of Soda Springs Road — is nearing completion.  For a map and more information on this second project, go to https://www.truckeedonnerlandtrust.org/news-events/royal-gorge-forestry-closure

DSA is Looking for an Administrative Assistant: This person would support the Donner Summit Association Board of Directors in day-to-day operations.  Expected average work load is 10 hours per month.  Pay is $25-40 per hour depending on experience and skills.  For more information see 260725a_duties

Nevada County Calendar: Look for community events throughout Nevada County on their calendar at https://gonevadacounty.com/community-calendar/

Soda Springs Cannabis Dispensary:  Nevada County’s Board of Supervisors postponed discussion of selection criteria for a dispensary in the Soda Springs area until their meeting (in Truckee) on October 6. See RFA Community and Stakeholder Letter for details.  The draft RFA for dispensary applicants is at https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3905/Commercial-Cannabis-Dispensary-Applicati#docaccess-bbeff2aadd2f0d4c29aabb0d69227a76

Placer County General Plan Update: The General Plan covers many important topics, including where housing and businesses get built, how we travel around Placer County, protecting the natural environment, and providing parks and community services.  Half of Donner Summit is in Placer County.  Watch this space for more information on update activities and/or visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/10433/General-Plan-2050

Fire Safety: Fire danger on Donner Summit is currently rated as “moderate” to “high”.  Residential burn permits, required since May 1, have been suspended throughout the Truckee Fire region.  Outdoor charcoal and wood fires — e.g., barbecues — are prohibited (gas only).   See https://www.truckeefire.org for more.

Defensible Space: A recording of a very informative Truckee Fire webinar on fire safety and defensible space is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COz0xBZ74FY&t=535s.  It runs about 51 minutes.  At least two other relevant videos — the documentary Standing Dead and a recording of a Steve Hawks (Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety) Zoom presentation — are available through the Eastern Regional Firewise Coalition web site at https://www.erfwc.org/.  You may need the passcode #2sK1jKw to view the Hawks recording.

Fire Inspections: With one exception, Donner Summit is scheduled for defensible space inspections by Truckee Fire this summer/fall.  The exception is Serene Lakes, which was inspected in 2024 and will be re-inspected in 2027.

Summit Calendar

September 17 (Thursday) 5-6 PM:  The September meeting of the DSA Board of Directors will be at Summit Soups in Soda Springs.   Find an agenda at https://www.donnersummitca.com/dsa-meetings-info/.  Directions to the meeting are included.

September 19 (Saturday) 9 AM – Noon: South Yuba River Citizens League annual river cleanup day.  Most of the activity is at lower elevations, and the appreciation party is in Grass Valley.  But you can do “self-guided” cleanup anywhere in the drainage.  For more information, visit https://yubariver.org/posts/syrcl-invites-the-community-to-29th-annual-yuba-river-cleanup-september-19-2026/?utm_source=SYRCL+ENews&utm_medium=July+23%2c+2026&ms=Enews_7-23-2026&emci=3b2d3d35-5184-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&emdi=386163b1-c886-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=4781554

September 19 (Saturday) 2-3 PM: Join Supervisor Hardy Bullock for a discussion of the proposed cannabis dispensary in Soda Springs.  Find more information at 260919_Supervisor_Bullock

September 19 (Saturday Night): Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night.  You can be a little flexible with the date.  For more information, go to https://science.nasa.gov/moon/observe-the-moon-night/register/

September 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday): Donner Party Hikes — Seven hikes around Donner Summit with historical themes.  Choose one hike each day.  For more information and registration go to https://www.donnerpartyhike.com

September 26 (Saturday) Noon – 3 PM: DSA’s annual SummitFest at Soda Springs Mountain Resort.  A benefit with live music, food, drinks, auctions, and fun.  For more information and tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donner-summit-fest-2026-tickets-1999649730172?aff=oddtdtcreator

September 30 (Wednesday) 8 AM: Reservations open for winter use of Frog Lake Huts.  Details at https://www.truckeedonnerlandtrust.org/frog-lake-huts

October 6 (Tuesday): Nevada County’s Board of Supervisors will discuss selection criteria for a cannabis dispensary in the Soda Springs area during their meeting in Truckee). See RFA Community and Stakeholder Letter for details.  The draft RFA for dispensary applicants is at https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3905/Commercial-Cannabis-Dispensary-Applicati#docaccess-bbeff2aadd2f0d4c29aabb0d69227a76.  The most recent update from the Cannabis Compliance Department is at 260914_Cannabis_Status

October 11 (Sunday): Last day to request free curbside green waste pickup through Truckee Fire.  Details at https://www.truckeefire.org/greenwaste?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=6a876cb10ed803148c74297a&ss_email_id=6a8c766ba7f16a1d9f68a273&ss_campaign_name=Emergency+Alerts%2C+Green-waste%2C+Firewise+Office+hours&ss_campaign_sent_date=2026-08-24T16%3A51%3A05Z

October 17 (Saturday): Oktoberfest at Rainbow Lodge.  Details at https://www.therainbowlodge.com/events

Resorts

Boreal/Woodward: Woodward Tahoe (indoor and outdoor) is open daily 1-8 PM, Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM – 8 PM.  Check https://www.rideboreal.com/explore/community/all-events/  for special events.

Sugar Bowl: Summer activities have been limited while the new gondola is being installed.  It’s Sugar Bowl’s fourth gondola.  For a gondola history see https://www.sugarbowl.com/gondola-history.  Winter opening day November 27 (conditions permitting) has been announced.  For other news go to https://www.sugarbowl.com/home

Donner Ski Ranch: DSR’s Old 40 Bar and Grill remains open 7 days a week.  DSR offers beds, showers, and laundry to PCT thru-hikers and disc golf to anyone interested.  Thru-hikers 21 years and older can claim a 40 oz beer.  Check the DSR web site at https://www.donnerskiranch.com for more information.

Soda Springs Mountain Resort is closed for the season.  Watch  https://www.skisodasprings.com/ for news.

Royal Gorge is closed for the season.  The resort is planning a Royal Gorge XC Ski Team for winter 2026-27; for more information, see https://www.sugarbowl.com/nordic-team.  Check https://www.royalgorge.com/home for other updates.

ASC Training Center (formerly Auburn Ski Club) specializes in training for competition and sponsors events.  The ASC Training Center is closed for the season.  Check their web site — https://www.asctrainingcenter.org — for more information.

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

Avalanche Report

The Sierra Avalanche Center has posted general comments about avalanches on its website  https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/

A short report on the February 17 Perry Peak avalanche near Frog Lake has been posted at https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/observations/#/view/avalanches/83ba330a-5eb4-446e-95b0-495c26faf06b.  It points to a more in-depth report on avalanche.org.

Roads

I-80: The freeway is open and in good condition, but there are lane restrictions and ramp closures (both day and night, both east and west) that cause backups between Colfax and Truckee.  The Hwy 20 eastbound merge with I-80 eastbound is closed weekdays.  Other restrictions are relaxed on weekends but not completely gone.  Plan ahead by following CalTrans reports at https://roads.dot.ca.gov.  Check I-80 webcams at https://caltranscameras.app/cameras/route/I-80

General: Paved secondary roads around the Summit should be in good condition.  Rattlesnake Canyon Road (FR85) north from Cisco Grove was closed for four years starting in 2024 for construction at Fordyce Dam.