Donner Memorial State Park Expansion

The Land Trust entered into this project in 1995 through negotiations with private property owners of historic and scenic Truckee landmarks: Schallenberger Ridge, Emigrant Canyon, Summit Canyon, Lakeview Canyon and Coldstream Canyon. Since then, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, the Land Trust has acquired over 2,100 acres adjacent to Donner Memorial State Park, making it one of the largest state parks in the Sierra Nevada.

The 23-mile Donner Lake Rim Trail, a project of the Land Trust, will traverse Schallenberger Ridge and Emigrant Canyon on its way to the Pacific Crest Trail. The expanded park will permanently preserve this natural and recreational wonderland for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, cross country and backcountry skiers and snowboarders. These protected lands and riverbanks hold a unique historical value along the Emigrant Trail, provide riparian habitat, large tracts of uninterrupted mammal habitat and diverse coniferous forests.

Historic Schallenberger Ridge flanks Donner Lake