Donner Pass Train Tunnels Hike

by heavenstobetty, posted in Homeschool

One of the reasons I decided to join a homeschool co-op was the opportunity to explore the area with some “local guides“ aka other families who’ve lived here longer than we have.

I’m fairly sure I’d never have found this unique hike on my own.

Ooo, ice cream – ice cream sounds good!
Some of the graffiti was wildly inappropriate, but this heart was sweet!

So, at this point our family was in the lead, and we’d started walking through the 5th and final tunnel. About midway through, we hear this noise. I say aloud, “That’s weird, it sounds like a train is coming, but there’s no tracks here anymore so it can’t be a train.” Suddenly, we see the unmistakable yellow glow of two headlights coming towards us in the pitch black tunnel. The tunnel is completely walled off on both sides. Huh. 🤔

Two of my kids in unison yell, “Run!” And I immediately holler back, “wait!”. When they look at me, I explain that we should find a place along the wall that’s got room for us to get out of the way, just in case that vehicle takes up the whole tunnel width. So, we did that. I had my iPhone out, so I snapped a quick photo of the headlights. Thankfully, the vehicle was moving really slowly. Once it got closer, we could see it was a front loader construction vehicle. My husband walked over to where the driver had stopped to let him know there were several mildly supervised young children behind us and adults somewhere back there too. The driver told us there was a bulldozer behind him, but no other vehicles after that. We easily fit beside both vehicles and walked past unscathed with an exciting story to tell!

Vista overlooking Donner Lake – time to hike back

If you ever find yourself near Truckee, California this hike is incredibly unique and well worth the 4.5 mile (there and back) hike. It’s mostly flat on a loose rock road. There were sections that were wet and puddly. If you want, you can make the hike shorter if you don’t go through all five tunnels. Bring a flashlight, sturdy shoes and I wouldn’t do it with a stroller. Be on the lookout for construction equipment!

Afterwards, we stopped at Little Truckee Ice Creamery which we highly recommend as the perfect ending to the outing.

Blueberry Honey Lavender
Affogato: Shot of espresso poured over ice cream

The kiddos got cones of chocolate brownie, mint chip, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Everything was delicious!

🥾 Where was your most recent hike?

16 thoughts on “Donner Pass Train Tunnels Hike”

  3. I think my heart almost stopped while reading about those lights coming towards you! What a crazy “train” of thought process I am sure the mind would go through: a train, no tracks, but lights, safety of people walking, and on and on. It looks like a very unique place to discover and I am so happy for you to go there with your co-op.

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    1. I was reminded of several movie scenes… Dark train tunnel, whistle, headlights, unsuspecting hero running for dear life! My logic had to work overtime, I must’ve checked the ground 3 times in 2 seconds just to make sure there weren’t any tracks!

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  4. Oh, how I love this! Awesome photos and hike! Yikes to the construction equipment (great capture and story to tell!) and yay for the amazing lake views and ice cream! I love the life you’re living. Many blessings, my friend! 👏❣️ my last hike was at my nearby conservation area. I long to do more!

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