All Locations > California > Lake Tahoe > I-80 Corridor > Donner Summit

Donner Peak Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Donner Peak

1. East Buttress 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

2. Local's Block 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

3. Desiccation Wall 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

4. Ripple Wall 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

5. North Wall 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

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Elevation:	7,936 ft	2,419 m
GPS:	39.3086, -120.3121 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	12,381 total · 229/month
Shared By:	Luke EF on Jul 4, 2020
Admins:	Aron Quiter, Lurk Er, Ky Bishop, Colby Wangler, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Though Donner Summit is full of scenic crags, the climbing at Donner Peak is easily the most scenic of them all. At the base of nearly every climbable wall is an expansive view of the surrounding area. In addition, tons of highly featured alpine granite makes for an excellent change of pace from some of the climbing in the pass below. Though on a nice day there might be hundreds of hikers visiting the peak, the rocks are seldom climbed and are secluded from the spots where hikers gather, making it a nice getaway from summer crowds. The relatively strenuous approach for predominantly single-pitch climbing will likely continue to keep the crags empty even as more quality routes are being developed.

Walls are numbered as they run from south-to-north.

Getting There

There are two distinct approaches to the peak. The more straightforward approach uses the well-maintained hiking trails to the summit. Park for the PCT near the Summit Haus, and take the PCT up to a junction with the Mt. Judah Trail. Go left here onto the Mt. Judah Trail and continue on the main trail for quite a while until another fork allows you to go left to leave the tree cover and straight up to the Donner Peak over dirt and slabs. This can be done in ~50 minutes if hiking at a steady pace.

It is also possible to approach straight up to the North Wall of the peak by hiking above Snowshed Wall and through talus fields with no well-defined trail. Though this will cover much less distance, it requires some route-finding and gains elevation much faster than the PCT approach.