The Truckee Donner Land Trust entered into this project in 1995 when negotiations began with private property owners of the historic and scenic Truckee landmarks, Schallenberger Ridge, Emigrant Canyon, Lakeview Canyon and Coldstream Canyon. Since then, the Land Trust — in partnership with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) — has acquired over 2,100 acres of private land adjacent to the Donner Memorial State Park.

The Truckee Donner Land Trust and TPL are currently completing conveyance of property ownership to the State Park to triple the size of the park. The Land Trust and TPL raised almost $4 million from the public and private sectors for this project.

Key to the expansion is Schallenberger Ridge, a highly visible ridgeline from Truckee and I-80 that forms the backdrop to Donner Lake. The property was acquired from Croman Corp., a White River, Oregon timber company.

The protected lands and riverbanks hold a unique historical value along the Emigrant Trail and provide riparian habitat within Emigrant, Coldstream, and Lakeview Canyons, as well as large tracts of uninterrupted mammal habitat and diverse coniferous forests.

The 23-mile Donner Lake Rim Trail, a project of the Truckee Donner 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 skiers, backcountry skiers and snowboarders.

The acquisition makes Donner Memorial State Park one of the largest state parks in the Sierra Nevada, significantly adding to the Park's trail system.