Explore the footsteps of pioneers

The Pioneer Memorial at Donner Memorial State Park in
Truckee, Calif., honors the Donner Party and other
pioneers who crossed the Sierra Nevada to California.

In the winter of 1846-1847, a group of pioneer families bound for California were stranded in the Sierra Nevada — the mountain range between Nevada and California. The Donner Party, or the Donner-Reed Party, are infamously (and unfairly) known for cannibalism. While it is true that some of the 87 people who were trapped in the snowy mountains resorted to eating the dead in order to not starve, the true story of these pioneers is more nuanced. A thorough and entertaining account of the Donner Party was written by Frank Mullen, a former colleague of mine. His book, "Donner Party Chronicles" is a day-by-day account of the tragic journey of these emigrants to the West.

The Visitor Center at Donner Memorial State Park houses a museum
dedicated to emigrants, Native Americans and others who lived in or
passed through this part of the Sierra. 

Although I lived in Reno, Nev., for a dozen years before moving to France, it was only on my recent visit there this past fall that I finally visited Donner Memorial State Park. I've passed the exit off I-80 countless times, and never bothered to stop. On this day, we decide to make it our destination.

An exhibit at the Donner Visitor Center/Museum includes
items brought West by pioneers.

The dreams and fate of the Donner Party are explained via exhibits and a
film at Donner Memorial State Park. 

The exhibitions at the Visitor Center/Museum honor the people who lived in this part of the Sierra including Native Americans, the Chinese builders of the transcontinental railroad, as well as the Donner Party and other pioneers. A film provides a solid overview of the Donner Party story, and there is, of course, a nice gift shop.

Less than a half-mile long, a walk along the Donner Camp Trail
allows us to stretch our legs.

After about an hour exploring the museum, we are ready for some sunshine and we take a leisurely walk along the short Donner Camp Trail, a pretty path that starts and ends at the Pioneer Monument. Unveiled in 1918, the statue was a gift of the Native Sons of the Golden West and honors "the strength and grit of early settlers," according to its plaque.

The autumn weather is glorious on the day of our visit, and my camera gets a workout.

Donner Camp Trail, Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, Calif.

Donner Camp Trail, Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, Calif.

Donner Camp Trail, Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, Calif.

Donner Camp Trail, Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, Calif.

Our visit focuses on the Visitor Center/Museum, but Donner Memorial State Park is a vast recreational area that offers camping, water sports, fishing, and hiking in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The Visitor Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the park is open sunrise to sunset, every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. The modest fee to park gives us parking privileges at other California State Parks today, and in order to get our money's worth, we stop at Kings Beach on the north shore of Lake Tahoe on the way back to Reno.

Kings Beach, on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, is located
16 miles from Donner Memorial State Park.