
The steep road to Donner Pass in California
Usa, north-america
24.14 km
2,210 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so you're heading to Donner Pass, right? Picture this: you're cruising along Interstate 80, a perfectly paved road cutting through the Tahoe National Forest in eastern California. This epic stretch, also known as Donner Summit, climbs to a whopping 7,250 feet! It's a 15-mile journey from Truckee to Kingvale, taking you right through the heart of the northern Sierra Nevada.
Now, a little history: this place is named after the infamous Donner Party, who definitely had a rough time here back in '46. Keep that in mind as you drive!
The pass is generally open year-round, but hold up – winter can be intense! We're talking major snowfall, potential road closures, and mandatory chains. Seriously, this is one of the snowiest spots in the whole USA. Truckers, take note: the eastern approach is steep, and this pass has seen its fair share of accidents. But hey, the views are incredible! Just be prepared for anything, especially if you're traveling in the colder months.
Where is it?
The steep road to Donner Pass in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 36.1416, -101.0845
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 24.14 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,210 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 36.1416, -101.0845
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