Trails & Maps

The Donner Lake Rim Trail

The Donner Lake Rim Trail (DRLT) is a Land Trust project and volunteer effort to build a 23-mile trail encircling the peaks around Donner Lake. Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians will enjoy stunning views of Donner, Mount Rose and the Pacific Crest. Trails will run from downtown Truckee to Donner Summit and connect with existing trails, including the Summit Lake Trail, the Hole-in-the-Ground Trail, and the trails leading into the proposed Castle Peak Wilderness.

Support the building of the DRLT by adopting a section of trail or volunteer to build a section.

Donner Lake Rim Trail Map (PDF)
Accessing the Donner Lake Rim Trail (PDF)
Adopt a Quarter Mile of the Donner Lake Rim Trail (PDF)

Summit Canyon

How to access Summit Canyon for great hiking and mountain biking: Heading towards the West end of Donner Lake, go past South Shore Drive and up Old Hwy 40. Make a left 400 feet past the winter closure gate into the parking area.

Waddle Ranch Preserve Trail

The purchase of Waddle Ranch  is one of the Land Trust’s greatest victories. Public access and enjoyment of this historic property and premiere wildlife sanctuary can now be enjoyed forever.

Trails are open from sunrise to sunset to walkers, hikers, runners and bicyclists. Dogs must be on a leash so as not to disturb wildlife. Please pick up after your pet and pack out waste. No motorized vehicles, fishing, hunting, discharging of firearms, smoking, camp stoves and fires of any kind.

Directions: Waddle Ranch is accessed in Martis Valley via the US Army Corps of Engineers, Martis Lake Recreation Area. From State Route 267 turn north onto Martis Dam Road. Proceed to the trailhead located at the junction of Glider Port Road and Martis Dam. From here walk or hike across the dam and follow the signs to Waddle Ranch Preserve. NOTE: This trailhead can only be reached in an automobile between May and the first fall snowfall. A gate at the beginning of Martis Dam Road restricts vehicle access in the winter.

Waddle Ranch Preserve Trail Map (PDF)
Welcome to Waddle Ranch Preserve (PDF)

Perazzo Meadows Picnic Area

A few signs identify trees at the picnic area. Hikers may enjoy the Mt. Lola Trail, which is about one mile east of the picnic area. Please pack in and pack out, no open flames, including camp stoves.

Directions: From Truckee Drive north on hwy 89 to Jackson Meadows Road and turn left. Take the first left onto Independence Lake Road, which is dirt. Cross the Little Truckee River. Turn right on Henness Pass Road. It is not signed, but is the first right. Proceed through the residential area, and down the hill into Perazzo Meadows. The parking area is on the right just past the meadows.

Perazzo Meadows Map (PDF)

Independence Lake

Click here to plan your visit to this amazing property.

Learn more about local trails and bikeways at the Truckee Trails Foundation

Total Lands Protected

To date, the Land Trust has protected 23,600 acres. We have aggressive plans to protect 24,500 additional acres in the coming years with a value of approximately $70 million. 

Map of Total Lands Protected to Date.

Sierra Nevada Checkerboard

Much of our work centers on the “Sierra Nevada Checkerboard." The Checkerboard is a mosaic of several thousand acres of land in public and private ownership, which if left unprotected, could result in rural sprawl and the decimation of wildlife. Learn more about our work closing the Checkerboard.

Sierra Nevada Checkerboard Map (PDF)