The incredibly rocky and historic Donner Pass lies about 90 miles northeast of Sacramento, California and just to the west of Donner Lake and Truckee, California. Yes, this is the famous Pass that the Donner Party met their demise in during the early days of the old west.
Besides its infamous history, in the modern day, this area also has spectacular granite with domelike walls, vertical cliffs with overhangs, and subtle ramps on multi-pitched slabs, it has it all! What’s even more impressive about this popular area is that both sport and traditional climbing routes live in harmony with each other. It has not succumbed to the destruction of over bolting, graffiti, or rubbish along its trails. The beginner climber can top rope, a leader can clip bolts or place gear, and a soloist has ample places to boulder.
Upon reaching the summit, you will start to see some of the rock walls. The first wall you will come to is the "Stealth and Black Wall" on your right. Further up the road is the "Road Cut," and "Peanut Gallery" with the "Space Wall" up the hill from the aforementioned. Eventually you will come into the meat of the summit and you will see the "Snow Shed Wall" to the left. Below the obvious bridge is the "Green Phantom, and Sun Walls". Past the bridge you will come to"School Rock," "Baboon Crag," and lastly "Goldilocks".
Believe it or not, that’s not all! If you park below "School Rock" and hike up the trail, you will find the "Star Walls" (which incidentally hold the hardest of all the climbs) after the Star Walls you will come to the "Grouse Slab" and the amazing boulders that directly overlook the Lake.
Descent: All walls have a walk off section. Its just a matter of finding the path of least resistance and following it.
When all is said and done for the days climbing activities; you can go down to the North Shore of Donner Lake and enjoy one of the many public use piers. Take pleasure in the pristine blue waters of the lake.
Besides its infamous history, in the modern day, this area also has spectacular granite with domelike walls, vertical cliffs with overhangs, and subtle ramps on multi-pitched slabs, it has it all! What’s even more impressive about this popular area is that both sport and traditional climbing routes live in harmony with each other. It has not succumbed to the destruction of over bolting, graffiti, or rubbish along its trails. The beginner climber can top rope, a leader can clip bolts or place gear, and a soloist has ample places to boulder.
Upon reaching the summit, you will start to see some of the rock walls. The first wall you will come to is the "Stealth and Black Wall" on your right. Further up the road is the "Road Cut," and "Peanut Gallery" with the "Space Wall" up the hill from the aforementioned. Eventually you will come into the meat of the summit and you will see the "Snow Shed Wall" to the left. Below the obvious bridge is the "Green Phantom, and Sun Walls". Past the bridge you will come to"School Rock," "Baboon Crag," and lastly "Goldilocks".
Believe it or not, that’s not all! If you park below "School Rock" and hike up the trail, you will find the "Star Walls" (which incidentally hold the hardest of all the climbs) after the Star Walls you will come to the "Grouse Slab" and the amazing boulders that directly overlook the Lake.
Descent: All walls have a walk off section. Its just a matter of finding the path of least resistance and following it.
When all is said and done for the days climbing activities; you can go down to the North Shore of Donner Lake and enjoy one of the many public use piers. Take pleasure in the pristine blue waters of the lake.
