In September my former college roommates and I went to Donner Summit for a weekend of riding, carousing and general catching up.

Stayed in a cabin at Serene Lakes, near Norden... nice spot! The local bike shop recommended several good rides in the area. The one we didn't go on sounded pretty cool, across Highway 80 from Norden in the back country. Shortage of oxygen did in some of the group (we won't name names) so we did an easy ride, which turned out to be spectacular. The railroad is using a new, deep tunnel under Donner Summit, and had removed the tracks from the old tunnels and snow sheds over the pass. (Interstate 80 travelers see these across the valley from the freeway), above Donner Lake

The tracks went over the pass at the same place as many of the early wagon-train immigrants... it's a historic site as well as spectacularly beautiful. A very easy, and exciting ride.

If we had to do it over again we'd bring headlamps. It's pretty nervous going through the tunnels in the dark, on rough gravel. You just have to point toward the light at the end and pray.

Access was through a tunnel reached from the Highway/Train maintenance yard just below the parking lot of Donner Ski Ranch.

Here are a few shots:

Heading into a short tunnel and a row of sheds.

Inside the sheds. It's actually quite dark inside. This was a four second exposure.

Panoramic view from the other side of the tunnel. Interstate 80 heads down toward Truckee on the left, and the sheds continue on the right, winding around the hill.

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