donner lake

As a kid, we would travel along I-80 through the Sierra and I was always fascinated by the miles of man-made tunnels that hung on the side of the mountain on the other side of Donner Lake. Back in those days, the tunnels were still being used by trains getting over the Sierra. Today, the tracks have been removed and the trains have been re-routed.

It amazes me how many people never noticed them, even after traversing that stretch of freeway a zillion times! How can you NOT notice these engineering marvels? If you want to know the history of these sheds is fascinating, even if you aren’t a trail buff.

October of last year, we had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the sheds with a knowledgeable train historian. That was very interesting. However, what I DIDN’T expect to see in these tunnels was the unbelievable art! It’s not your run-of-the-mill graffiti art. These are masterpieces in my book! Its dark in these tunnels, so these artists burned up a lot of flashlight battery to get these babies done!

PS, if you are traversing the PCT, you can take a short side tour of the tunnels. It’s right off of the trail. It’s worth it, and very cool temps in the summer months.

Take a walk with me into the tunnel of Art.

Here is the link to the history of the tunnels.

I have been a downhill skier for the past 43 years and I thought I’d never give that up! Sadly its become so darned expensive (100+ dollars a day) to get a few runs in. I just don’t want to pay it. Oh sure, I could get a season pass, but then I’d have to ski a boatload of times to make the pass pay for itself. Then, the pressure is ON to get up the hill once or twice a week in the 12 week ski window in Northern California. Then there are the winters where the snow is CRAP and I just paid a boatload of dollars for a worthless season pass.

I have now switched over to snowshoeing and possibly cross country skiing. I never understood the attraction of either until last Friday. For one thing, it’s FREE (other than $5.00 parking) and it’s beautiful. No pressure to get up the hill and use a pass and deal with the crowds, lines and ridiculous price of a lift ticket!!

Take a walk through the winter wonderland of Donner Lake with my hiking buddy John and I. WHO ELSE has been priced out of downhill skiing?

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