Yearly Archives: 2014
Picture of the week 12-14-14 — First track
Real snow finally came to the summit this week. Took advantage of a beautiful day and wonderful snow to do a back country ski through Tiny Tim meadow. This is the first track through the meadow.
Continue reading →Picture of the week – Winter coming slowly to the Summit 11/30/14
Winter is coming slowly to the summit this year. This early teaser storm dropped about 4 inches of the white stuff, but was gone in 3 days. While we have had a couple of potentially good storms come through, they … Continue reading →
Picture of the Week – First snow 11/2/14
(Click on image for larger view) We had our first real snow on the summit this week. A pretty cold storm rolled in and dropped 4-6 inches over the entire summit area. On our first ski of the season … Continue reading →
Picture of the week – Donner Pass pano 10-25-14
This week we spent some time over at Donner Pass hiking around. It reminded me of the little trek we took a couple of years ago out that rock promontory right out in the middle of the pass. It’s a … Continue reading →
Picture of the week 10/5/14 – Autumn comes to Donner Pass
This last week autumn really started kicking in here on the summit. We even had our first storm of the season that left a dusting of snow. Here is what a stormy autumn day at Donner Pass looked like this … Continue reading →
View of the week 9/30/14 – Donner Summit from Beacon Hill
This week we hiked up to the top of Beacon Hill which is the Soda Springs ski hill in the Donner Summit area. It was just after the first snow of the season. Here is a 360° view of the … Continue reading →
Beaver family on the summit
About this same time two years ago our picture of the week was of a beaver that had taken up residence in Lake Van Norden. Over those two years we have heard from many people about their own sightings of … Continue reading →
The King Fire – why Donner Summit should be concerned
For the last week the summit has been inundated with heavy smoke from the King fire which was an arson started fire near Pollock Pines along Highway 50. Unfortunately for the summit we lie northwest of the fire and the … Continue reading →
Sometimes you just have to get away
Even on this beautiful summit, sometimes you just have to get away. So last week we hooked up the trailer, put the kayaks on the roof racks, and headed down one of our favorite drives, down Highway 395 to Lee … Continue reading →
Finally some data and survey says…
Readers of this site know that there has been considerable controversy concerning the original trail plan developed by the Truckee Donner Land Trust for the Royal Gorge area. Several posts have been published on this site discussing the plan and … Continue reading →
Shame of the week
This week we took a little walk up to Catfish Pond in Donner Pass. Unfortunately, we found a pretty shameful sight on the way to this little pond. Apparently, a group of visitors left their calling cards all over the … Continue reading →
Royal Gorge renovating warming huts
Anyone that has skied at Royal Gorge has probably appreciated a little break at one of the warming huts strategically located on the many trails at the resort. If you have taken advantage of these little shelters in the last … Continue reading →
Picture of the Week 7/27/14
This week we would like to share a rare sighting up here on the summit. We found this Washingtonian Lily tucked in the foliage on the Sterling Canyon trail just about 50 yards the other side of the newly restored … Continue reading →
They are back at it
Yes they are back out in the forest again. This week the forest restoration project being carried out by the Truckee Donner Land Trust has started up in the Royal Gorge area surrounding Serene Lakes. The map in Figure 1 … Continue reading →
Alpine Lily and Fawn Season
Well the Alpine Lilies (Lilium parvum) are out this week on the summit. This is a little early, but then so again are all the other wildflowers in this very dry year. Look for these orange beauties in shady areas along the … Continue reading →
Save the Buckeye Path
I am starting to notice a new and totally unexpected trend in my life, ever since the acquisition of the Royal Gorge Properties. Contrary to my expectations that we had saved Donner Summit I find that we seem to actually … Continue reading →
Time to kayak Van Norden Lake
It’s time to get the kayaks out and do a paddle on Van Norden Lake. With this very dry year, the water level is already dropping below the spillway and the seasonal lake will be drying out very early this … Continue reading →
Hike of last week – Rowton Peak
We had a great hike last week along Razorback Ridge and up to Rowton Peak. The weather was perfect and many of the wild flowers were out. Now is the time to get up there to see the last of … Continue reading →
Time to Climb – Castle Peak
I finally climbed up to the top of Castle Peak this week after 15 years of having a cabin here on the summit. I know, all you old timers are thinking “what a tenderfoot”. It’s funny how every year I … Continue reading →
A new trail for all footpath lovers
As readers of this blog know, there has been a lot of discussion on this site concerning the trail system that Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT) is developing on the Royal Gorge open space. There have been claims put forward … Continue reading →
Picture of the Week 5/25/14
(Click for larger image) This week Serena Creek is running at full flow over the Serena Creek dam.
Continue reading →Hike of the Week – Serena Creek Falls 5/25/14
This week we are hiking down to Serena Creek Falls. Please come and join us on our first hike of the season. For more information click here.
Continue reading →Video of the week 5/16/17 – The Birds and the Toads in Van Norden Lake
If there are children in the room you might want to send them out for this video (tic). As spring comes to the summit valley the wildlife is doing their best to carry on the species. This week I tramped … Continue reading →
Shock of the week 5-12-14
This week we received disturbing news concerning an icon of the Donner Summit area. The Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT) revealed their plan for the future of Van Norden Lake. The future of the lake is that it has no … Continue reading →
Sound of the week 4/28/14
Another sign of spring on the summit. Skied out to Lyle’s lookout and was pleasantly surprised to hear the bullfrogs croaking up a storm
Continue reading →Picture of the week 4-27-14
Click on the image to see a larger view This week we had a late springs storm that dumped 2 ft of snow on the summit. Broke out the skis again and headed up to Palisade Peak. It was a … Continue reading →
Open Space Use On The Summit – Trails 101
(Download a pdf of this post) In the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to see quite a bit of commentary and user feedback concerning the trail system in the Royal Gorge area. It is evident from many … Continue reading →
You know that spring is here when the falls start flowing
I mark this week as the beginning of the summer cycle here on the summit. It is when the snow melt is in full progress that the water falls start to flow. This week we skied down to Palisade Creek … Continue reading →
Open Space Use On The Summit – Horseback Riding
(Download a pdf of this post) As promised, this post about open space use will deal with equestrian users. For this topic I feel that because I don’t ride horses and really don’t know all the issues, I would take … Continue reading →
A little positive feedback
Regular readers of this blog know that I’ve been dealing with some controversial subject matter lately concerning trail use. I have to admit that some of the issues are creating a negative vibe. I feel like it’s time for a … Continue reading →
Open Space Use On The Summit – Mountain biking
(Download a pdf of this post) In this installment about open space use on the summit, I would like to discuss what seems to have become one of the hotter of the hot button issues concerning trail use, mountain biking. … Continue reading →
Van Norden Meadow land swap completed
As many of you probably know part of the acquisition of the Royal Gorge Properties by Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT) hinged on a land swap deal with Sugar Bowl. A large portion of the Van Norden Meadow was owned … Continue reading →
Open Space Use On The Summit – Trail use
(Download a pdf of this post) In this second installment about open space use on the summit, I would like to discuss some of the issues concerning trail use and regulation as it pertains to the trail plan proposed by … Continue reading →
Open Space Use On The Summit
(Download a pdf of this post) In the last two years there have been historic changes in the status of land ownership and use at Donner Summit. Due to an momentous effort led by the Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT), … Continue reading →
Picture of the week 2-23-14
Snoops Loop had plenty of snow coverage in Van Norden Meadow this week.
Continue reading →Picture of the week 2/9/14
Snow has finally come to the Summit this week. This was a beautiful day of skiing on Mt Disney at Sugar Bowl.
Continue reading →Picture of the week 2/3/14
This week the snow returned to the summit. Not as much as we need, but it’s a start. Van Norden Lake was frozen and snowy as this panorama shot from smack dab in the middle of the lake shows.
Continue reading →Picture of the week (January 2014)
I am cheating this week. This is actually a picture of Sugar Bowl from the same week last January. Just to remind us all what a real winter looks like.
Continue reading →Save Van Norden Lake and Wetlands
This week I am going to refer you to a new website that has been created to promote the preservation of Van Norden Lake and its surrounding wetlands. Please visit and explore this site to learn more about this important … Continue reading →
PG&E Power Line Clearing in Summit Valley
Anyone driving up Soda Springs road will notice that there is a new view of Van Norden Meadow from the road. That new clarity is due to a forest clearing project by PG&E that started last September. Apparently PG&E was … Continue reading →