Donner Pass conditions?

HellSickle · 11-01-2010, 08:18 AM

Any snow reports for Donner Pass? I'm thinking of heading up there sometime soon.

Milhaus · 11-01-2010, 08:22 AM

I went about 1/2 way up on Saturday and although it was a bit sloppy in spots I did not run into any piles of snow. I would think that you could still make it to the summit.

WestNile · 11-01-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellSickle

Any snow reports for Donner Pass? I'm thinking of heading up there sometime soon.

How soon? Tomorrow? I'm free Tuesday at this time if you'd like to go.

Weather looks good for the week, seventy by this weekend. So I'd be free for Sunday also if'n you are want'n to go then

markamazing · 11-01-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestNile

How soon? Tomorrow? I'm free Tuesday at this time if you'd like to go.

Weather looks good for the week, seventy by this weekend. So I'd be free for Sunday also if'n you are want'n to go then

go check your phone

shearboy2004 · 11-01-2010, 11:51 PM

I'm good for today , What's happening ?

StmbtDave · 11-02-2010, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shearboy2004

I'm good for today , What's happening ?

You're not good for today. Unless you worked all night on it, you have a water pump to repair.

Butta · 11-02-2010, 09:19 AM

Meeting at the base of Moody at about noon.....myself and Markamazing so far....anyone else??

Milhaus · 11-02-2010, 03:42 PM

This just in...

A little bit of snow at the Donner Meadow!

Official word is Wilderness Trail "too frozen" to attempt.

A view from the summit...

Butta · 11-02-2010, 05:55 PM

It was a great ride today!! Thanks, Markamazing, for getting me out there today!

We did Moody to Donner, crawled through the rock garden below the meadow, it was in pretty good shape with limited snow/ice. The meadow had quite a bit of snow in compared to the rock garden area....but it was short lived. The rest of the climb toward the summit was mostly clear, and the going was good.

However, getting a start on the Wilderness Trail...well, I needed studded tires.....Got about 400 yards uphill before I ran out of momentum and had frozen ground under a light cover of snow, which precluded any ability to get going again. We admitted defeat, and continued on the rest of Donner Trail. After reaching Ballard Road, we turned back uphill toward the end of Wilderness Trail to see what the road looked like. We could reach just above the open meadow/campsite area, but that was about it. A little ice cover on the road turned into a lot and despite Mark's valient attempt, we turned back down the trail.

We finished up with the switchbacks near the Ranger Station and then on down 44H back to the base of Moody. I must say, though, that the trip through the switchbacks was the easiest I've managed through that section to date! I'd love to consider it a learning curve, but I'm sure it was just dumb luck.....

If we have some warm days, like the forecast says, the riding up there isn't over yet...and the Wilderness Trail may actually be rideable after a few "warm" days....I'd love to get back up there. November 2nd, and we conquered Donner.....with worn down knobbies and no real issues. Definitely a strange weather year!!

shearboy2004 · 11-02-2010, 06:57 PM

In some strange way I'm kinda looking forward to it !!

HellSickle · 11-04-2010, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the report.

About every 4-5 years, Donner can be ridden well into November. The latest I have done it is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Even then, if you make it across the wilderness trail, the run down Old Ballard is a toboggon run down the North facing slope. All of those little seeps become big ice flows.

StmbtDave · 11-04-2010, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellSickle

Thanks for the report.

About every 4-5 years, Donner can be ridden well into November. The latest I have done it is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Even then, if you make it across the wilderness trail, the run down Old Ballard is a toboggon run down the North facing slope. All of those little seeps become big ice flows.

November 26, 2008:

11-01-2010, 08:18 AM	#1
HellSickle ^OP Scone Rider Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Collins Oddometer: 6,717	Donner Pass conditions? Any snow reports for Donner Pass? I'm thinking of heading up there sometime soon. __________________ We don't stop riding because we get old, we get old because we stop riding.

11-01-2010, 08:22 AM	#2
Milhaus Made in Denmark Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Colorado Oddometer: 3,003	I went about 1/2 way up on Saturday and although it was a bit sloppy in spots I did not run into any piles of snow. I would think that you could still make it to the summit. __________________ \| 2006 KTM 450EXC \| www.mypersonaldefense.com

11-01-2010, 11:51 PM	#5
shearboy2004 KIWIINUSA Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Ft Collins ,Colorado Oddometer: 4,086	I'm good for today , What's happening ? __________________ 88 R100GS 75 Norton Commando Roadster 98 DR450 07 Sherco 450 called BLING. 07 Sherco 510 called Holy Shit .

11-02-2010, 03:42 PM	#8
Milhaus Made in Denmark Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Colorado Oddometer: 3,003	This just in... A little bit of snow at the Donner Meadow! Official word is Wilderness Trail "too frozen" to attempt. A view from the summit... __________________ \| 2006 KTM 450EXC \| www.mypersonaldefense.com Milhaus screwed with this post 11-02-2010 at 04:18 PM

11-02-2010, 06:57 PM	#10
shearboy2004 KIWIINUSA Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Ft Collins ,Colorado Oddometer: 4,086	In some strange way I'm kinda looking forward to it !! __________________ 88 R100GS 75 Norton Commando Roadster 98 DR450 07 Sherco 450 called BLING. 07 Sherco 510 called Holy Shit .

11-02-2010, 09:19 AM	#7
Butta Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Oddometer: 215	Meeting at the base of Moody at about noon.....myself and Markamazing so far....anyone else??

11-02-2010, 05:55 PM	#9
Butta Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Oddometer: 215	It was a great ride today!! Thanks, Markamazing, for getting me out there today! We did Moody to Donner, crawled through the rock garden below the meadow, it was in pretty good shape with limited snow/ice. The meadow had quite a bit of snow in compared to the rock garden area....but it was short lived. The rest of the climb toward the summit was mostly clear, and the going was good. However, getting a start on the Wilderness Trail...well, I needed studded tires.....Got about 400 yards uphill before I ran out of momentum and had frozen ground under a light cover of snow, which precluded any ability to get going again. We admitted defeat, and continued on the rest of Donner Trail. After reaching Ballard Road, we turned back uphill toward the end of Wilderness Trail to see what the road looked like. We could reach just above the open meadow/campsite area, but that was about it. A little ice cover on the road turned into a lot and despite Mark's valient attempt, we turned back down the trail. We finished up with the switchbacks near the Ranger Station and then on down 44H back to the base of Moody. I must say, though, that the trip through the switchbacks was the easiest I've managed through that section to date! I'd love to consider it a learning curve, but I'm sure it was just dumb luck..... If we have some warm days, like the forecast says, the riding up there isn't over yet...and the Wilderness Trail may actually be rideable after a few "warm" days....I'd love to get back up there. November 2nd, and we conquered Donner.....with worn down knobbies and no real issues. Definitely a strange weather year!!

11-04-2010, 06:03 AM	#11
HellSickle ^OP Scone Rider Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Collins Oddometer: 6,717	Thanks for the report. About every 4-5 years, Donner can be ridden well into November. The latest I have done it is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Even then, if you make it across the wilderness trail, the run down Old Ballard is a toboggon run down the North facing slope. All of those little seeps become big ice flows. __________________ We don't stop riding because we get old, we get old because we stop riding.

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