15 MILES / 1,160 FEET

20 MILES / 2,155 FEET

55 MILES / 5,400 FEET

• All ride options progress east from Donner Memorial State Park toward downtown Truckee. 
  
  
  • The 15 and 20 mile rides climb Northwoods Blvd.  The 15 mile option goes directly to Alder Creek Road; the 20 mile option adds Ski Slope Way on the way to Alder Creek Road.
  • The 55 mile ride (out-and-back) goes directly to Highway 267, then ascends Brockway summit on the way to Kings Beach.  After crossing the California-Nevada border, riders climb Route 431 to the Mt Rose Summit.  This is a steady, even climb on a wide shoulder.  After the summit, riders enjoy a fast downhill on a well surfaced road back to Route 28 and subsequently return to the start.
    

• SETTING

  • Alpine lakes and summits of the High Sierras:  Donner Lake, Lake Tahoe, forested mountains, mountainous climbing. 
    
    

• START

  • Donner Memorial State Park.
  • Drive east on Interstate 80 from Sacramento to the Donner Pass Road exit.  At the stop, turn right onto Donner Pass Road; drive 0.3 miles to Donner Memorial State Park and turn left into the parking lot.
    
    

• 15 / 20 MILE RIDES

  • Climbing:  1,160 / 2,155 feet. 
  • Difficulty:  Hilly.
  • These courses are appropriate for moderately fit riders. There are no severely steep hills.
    Maximum elevation:  7,400 feet.
    
    

• 55 MILE RIDE

  • Climbing:  5,400 feet.
  • Difficulty:  Mountainous.
  • Maximum elevation:  8,900 feet.   I always bring a windbreaker, regardless of forecast, as unpredicted winds/thundershowers are possible.
  • This route is moderately harder than the shorter rides.