Hiking the Donner Pass Historic Train Tunnels to Donner Lake - Truckee, CA

If you are up for a unique family friendly day hike with an unforgettable experience this is the hike for you. The adults will enjoy the views, the history and the unique opportunity to see a mashup of industrial engineering and mountain beauty. The kids will love the thrilling dark tunnels with graffiti and just a touch of adventure.  

The Quick Details of the Donner Pass Train Tunnels Hike

• The tunnels are dark, there isn’t any artificial light so you’ll want to bring a flashlight or headlamp for the dark bits.
• In the winter, fall and spring they get cold. Dress accordingly.
• No flip flops. You’ll hate it. Wear shoes with a solid sole. The trail is crushed rock but there are random boulders and puddles here and there.
• This is a beginning level hike, easy for intro to hiking and you can go slow.
• Distance: This bit is up to you. The tunnels are just a couple miles long but the trail continues all the way down to Donner Lake from the summit. Most people turn around at the end of the tunnels. It takes about 2-3 hours to just tour the tunnels.
• Trail condition: mostly gravel hard packed, not much elevation gain. It’s gradual. But you are at 7,000 feet at the start of the tunnel.
• You can bring dogs, but they need to be on leash. The gravel is a little tough on their feet so be sure your dog feet are prepared for hiking on gravely rock.

Where to Park and Start?
The tunnels start just off of Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40) right across from Donner Ski Ranch. You’ll see a dirt parking lot with the first train tunnel and generally there are cars randomly parked. There are no official signs but this is the start of the tunnels. The tunnel is huge, you can’t really miss it.

About the Tunnels

The tunnels were largely built by Chinese labor and the first tunnel, known as the China Wall tunnel was a major engineering feat of its time, as it was carved through solid granite using hand tools, black powder, and nitroglycerin. The tunnel is 600 feet long and was originally known as Tunnel 6, but it was later renamed Tunnel 8 after two shorter tunnels were added nearby.

The workforce included thousands of Chinese laborers, who were brought in to work on the project after the Central Pacific Railroad struggled to find enough workers to complete the job. The Chinese workers faced harsh conditions and discrimination, but they played a crucial role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

The Chinese laborers who worked on the construction of the transcontinental railroad, including the tunnels on Donner Pass, faced extremely harsh living conditions. They were brought over from China under contract and worked for very low wages under dangerous and difficult conditions. The living quarters for the Chinese laborers were often overcrowded and unsanitary. They were housed in small, cramped shacks that provided little protection from the elements. The shacks were often infested with vermin, and there was little access to clean water or adequate sanitation facilities. The laborers worked long hours, often six days a week, and were paid very low wages compared to their white counterparts. They also faced discrimination and hostility from the white workers, who resented their presence and saw them as a threat to their jobs. The work itself was extremely dangerous, and many Chinese laborers were injured or killed in accidents while working on the tunnels. They worked with hand tools and explosives, often in cramped and poorly ventilated spaces, and were at constant risk of injury or death from falling rocks, cave-ins, explosions, and other hazards.

Despite the difficult living conditions and the dangers of the work, the Chinese laborers played a crucial role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Their hard work and sacrifices helped to connect the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States, and their legacy is an important part of American history.

Today, the tunnel is open to the public for exploration and is a popular destination for hikers, history enthusiasts, and railroad buffs. The China Wall tunnel is a reminder of the incredible engineering feats and the contributions of the Chinese laborers who helped build the transcontinental railroad. It is also a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and adventure that has characterized the history of the American West.

Entering the tunnels…

As you enter the tunnels, the first thing you'll notice is the darkness. The tunnels are not lit, so you'll need a flashlight or headlamp to see your way. The air is cool and damp, and you'll feel a light breeze blowing through the tunnels.

The walls of the tunnels are made of rough-hewn granite, and you'll see evidence of the drilling and blasting that was used to create the tunnels. The rock has a grayish-brown color and is flecked with small crystals.

As you walk deeper into the tunnels, you'll notice that the air becomes cooler and more humid. You may see water dripping from the walls and ceiling of the tunnels, creating small pools on the ground. You'll also notice that the tunnels curve slightly, so you won't be able to see straight through to the other end.

As you approach the other end of the tunnels, you'll see a small opening of light. The light will grow brighter as you get closer, and you'll begin to see the outline of trees and the blue sky beyond.

As you exit the tunnels, you'll be greeted by a stunning view of the mountains and forests of the Sierra Nevada. You'll be able to see Donner Lake in the distance, as well as the surrounding peaks and valleys. It's a breathtaking sight and a perfect reward for your journey through the tunnels.

Here are a few facts about the tunnels you should know:

• The Summit Tunnel, which is the longest of the tunnels at Donner Pass, stretches for 1,659 feet through the granite of the mountain
• The construction of the Summit Tunnel was a significant engineering feat, as it required workers to drill through solid granite using only hand tools, explosives, and primitive machinery.
• It took nearly two years to complete the Summit Tunnel, and it was the last major obstacle in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
• The Summit Tunnel was also the site of a tragic incident in 1885, when a train carrying passengers was trapped in the tunnel by a heavy snowstorm. The passengers were stranded for several days before being rescued.
• The old train tunnels at Donner Pass were used in several films, including "The Big Country" (1958), "The Great Race" (1965), and "The Parent Trap" (1998).
• The tunnels are now a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, and tourists, who come to explore the historic site and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.
• The tunnels are also home to a variety of wildlife, including bats, owls, and other birds of prey.

Overall, walking through the old train tunnels at Donner Pass is a unique and memorable experience. It's a chance to explore a piece of history and to see the beauty of the Sierra Nevada from a unique perspective.

Are there good places to eat after you complete the hike? Yes, there are a few good places to eat in the area after completing the hike to Alamere Falls. Here are a few options:

• Old 40 Bar and Grill at Donner Ski Ranch: This ski resort's bar and patio are open durring the summer months and offer a range of dining options appropriate for when you end a hike and want to hang out on the patio. They offer a range of pub grub and serve a full bar. This is by far my favorite spot to end the hike.
• Summit Haus opens on the weekends offers a small food menue mostly of sausages and beer. It's basically a small beer garden
• For anything fancy you'll need to go into truckee where you can find a larger selection of places to eat.