Auburn to Truckee via Donner Pass

72 miles

This has to be one of the more memorable days of the trip. We started in the low dry country in Auburn and traveled 72 miles, much of it through rolling wooded roadways. The second half of the ride was a steady climb, into the alpine region, ending with Donner Pass at 7000 feet. Between the rolling ups and downs, and the steady uphill portion, we climbed 8500 feet today. A lot more than I am used to.

As the day wore on, and the group spread out, I ended up spending most of the day with Michael, Doug, and Jim. It certainly made a big difference to have company on the prolonged section that took us onto Route 80.

For the final 20 miles, we followed streams of snowmelt, and at higher elevations, snowpack on the roadsides. The top was the infamous Donner pass, which then opened out onto a spectacular view to the east of snowcapped mountains, hairpin turns and Donner lake. Our final reward was a 10 minute, brake burning coast down to Donner Lake, and the town of Truckee.

Riding the ups and downs out of Auburn. It mostly seemed like uphill!

We were thankful for the frequent support from the SAG vehicle. Especially, frequent access to water, that was consumed by the quartful.

--Route 80--

Finally heading into cooler snow country.

Best of all! The views from Donner Pass.