Mark Hudon climbing at Donner, 1979. Photo by Blit...
Description
Donner Pass is located just south of 80 east of Truckee. The climbing is on granite rocks ranging from small to hundreds of feet. Both cracks and sport climbs co-exist here, and there are some kick-ass climbs of both sorts.Camping near the climbing is illegal, but doesn't seem to be too severely enforced. If that troubles you, there's camping on the opposite side of Donner Lake, or plenty of hotel-type accomadations in nearby Truckee, which also is an ample source of food and entertainment.The Donner Pass climbing season is from ~mid-April until whenever snow closes the road in November or December. Donner's 7000' elevation means that even during beautiful summer days a surprise storm is possible, so be prepared.
Getting There
From the Bay Area, take 80 East, through Sacramento. Continue uphill until the Soda Springs exit. Follow Donner Pass Road through Soda Springs and past the ski area exits until you find yourself travelling down a steep and windy road with large rocks on both sides. The first rock you'll come across is Baboon Crag then School Rock, both on your left. Total drive time is highly dependent on traffic and your willingness to speed, but it can be done in just over two hours if you're foot is heavy...
This good beginner lead starts just right of Jellyroll Arch. Follow the Y-shaped crack (its left branch when it splits) to its end. Place a small cam in a horzontal crack and finish on a good belay ledge. Belay from a solid tree. It's a full 150 foot pitch, so have enough gear to be comfortable. Rappel on two ropes or descend the 3rd-4th class gully system to the north....[more]
More about camping: the Donner Lake camping area doesn't open up until Memorial Day, but Granite Flats campground opens earlier. It is located a few miles south of Truckee on highway 89. It costs $15/night/site and an extra $5/night for each extra vehicle. Its not the most remote campsite as it is directly adjacent to 89, but has decent toilets and well water.
By Aron Quiter Administrator From: Berkeley, CA Sep 16, 2004
If climbing near the top of Donner (Goldilocks, Schoolhouse, Hiking PCT etc), please do not park in the paved part of the Sugar Bowl Academy lot (formerly ASI). There is a service road that runs out the back of the lot. Parking on any of the dirt in this area is permitted. Just stay off the pavement. Bathrooms are rather scarce on Donner, and burying it is tough since most of the ground is solid rock. There is an outhouse at Snowshed wall (can't miss it), as well as bathrooms at the Cafe in Norden (West towards where you get onto 80). Donner Ski Ranch is also sometimes an option. SBA (right on the pass) CANNOT allow general public to use their restrooms legally. Also, down on 40 along Donner lake there are a few small cafes and stores that may or may not have bathrooms. There is a beach on Donner lake at the west end that has restrooms, but there is an access fee depending on the time of year. The easily accessible docks on Donner Lake are for public use, on a kind of first come first serve basis. Look down at the shore as you drive along the lake to find them. Excellent place to have an evening beer after climbing or spend a rest day lounging and swimming. (On a side note, do not fish here without a license because Rangers DO come by to check). The swimming is first class...water temps are chilly but very nice as far as snow runoff fed lakes go. I would be more than happy to provide any additional info. Feel Free to contact me. I however, have a terrible memory and rout beta is not my strong point. I did live here (at SBA) for 2 years though and know the area itself very well
Donner Pass
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