- DATE: June 20, 2026
- TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- LOCATION: Alder Creek Donner Party Historical Site
Registration
- Non-Member – $10.00
- NWHP Member – $10.00
What was it like to be stranded in a snowstorm in the middle of October in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains?
Acclaimed journalist, author, and Chautauqua performer, Frank X. Mullen will recount the travails of that 1846-47 winter that stranded unlucky pioneer families. Frank is the author of, “The Donner Party Chronicles: A Day-by-Day Account of the Doomed Wagon Train”.
$10 – snacks and water provided
Bring a sack lunch for after the hike if you like. Wear sturdy shoes, hat, and sunscreen. We will be walking along a 1.5 mile accessible path with wildflower enthusiast, Susan Mullen.
To get there (allow about an hour):
Carpool: Meet at the NWHP office (770 Smithridge Drive) at 8:45am. We have several people who are willing to drive.
Driving: Take I-80 West towards Truckee. Take Exit 188 to HWY 89 North (towards Sierraville). Follow HWY 89 approximately 2.5 miles to Donner Park Picnic Ground (the camp is on your right) – 13813 Alder Creek Road.