The pass has been used by the California Trail, First transcontinental railroad, Overland Route, Lincoln Highway and Victory Highway (both later U.S. Route 40 and still later Donner Pass …

Dec 30, 2025 · Donner party, group of American pioneers stranded en route to California in 1846. The group was named for the expedition’s captain, George Donner. It was widely circulated …

In the Donner Party tragedy, two-thirds of the men in the party perished, while two-thirds of the women and children lived. Forty-one individuals died, and 46 survived.

As the Donner Party approached the summit of the Sierra Mountains near what is now Donner Lake (known as Truckee Lake at the time) they found the pass clogged with new-fallen snow …

Aug 24, 2024 · The pass gets its name from the ill-fated Donner Party who overwintered there in 1846. The area is known for its challenging railroad routes and is a popular spot for railfans.

In spite of its tragic history, Donner Pass Trail became very popular during the Gold Rush from 1848-1849. The First Transcontinental Railroad also plays a significant role in the importance …

By the late 1800s, tunnels and tracks cut through the granite of Donner Pass, bringing trains through terrain once thought impassable. While trains still cross today, the surrounding granite …

May 30, 2025 · Here’s what happened at Donner Pass. Eighty-seven pioneers left Springfield, Illinois on April 16, 1846. Brothers George and Jacob Donner and businessman James Reed …

From the harrowing fate of the Donner Party to the rise of a bustling mountain town built by immigrants, loggers, and railroad crews. Explore the region’s earliest—and often most …

Mar 5, 2010 · Donner Pass, in the Sierra Nevada of northern California, is named for the Donner party. The pass now represents the most important transmontane route (rail and highway) …