Donner Lake Rim Trail

Here are three options to get to the Donner Rim Trail segment between the Tahoe Donner Ski Area and Summit Lake:

(1) For access to the west end of this segment that lies above (south) the Tahoe Donner Ski Bowl. Directions: You can readily reach the ski area and the nearby trailhead by following Northwoods Boulevard into the Donner-Ranch subdivision (north side of Truckee). Shortly after entering the subdivision, Northwoods Boulevard splits and continues in a loop and comes back on itself at the split. Take the left (south) leg of the loop at the split and continue until you reach Skislope Way. Turn left and follow Skislope Way climbing above the Tahoe Donner Ski Bowl. Continue south to Glacier Way. Turn left (south) on this short, paved street to the paved parking area on the left.

From the parking area, you could follow the paved, wheelchair accessible trail east 200’-300’ to a cluster of picnic tables and as of 2002, the end of the Rim Trail. To head west toward Summit Lake, head right (west) by the locked green metal gate and follow the fire-road and signs through the open brush field toward two overlooks. At the junction of the second trail that drops down to an overlook (with its bench and views, this makes a nice side trip), veer to the right and continue up the fire road over the divide to your right. Continue on this road until you reach a warming hut for cross-country skiers. Just before (east of) the hut, find the newly constructed, (but in 2002 unmarked) trail that starts dropping down into Negro Canyon. First it angles down to the left then starts switchbacking its way down to the 4WD road heading up again to Summit Lake. To this point on the ridge top near the warming hut and before dropping down into the canyon, the trail is a worthy destination all by itself.

(2) For access near the middle of this segment use the Upper Gregory Creek/Negro Canyon Trailhead. Directions to this trailhead: Exit I-80 at the Donner Lake exit and drop down the access ramp to a dirt road heading up the small canyon on the north side of I-80 and away from Donner Lake. Unless your intention is to drive the 4WD road all the way to Summit Lake, turn left onto a  dirt parking area just above (north side) I-80 and park at the bottom. Trek up the dirt 4WD route north to an unsigned trail intersection on the right (north). Left (west) the 4WD route continues to Summit Lake, to the right the trail currently (as of 2002) ends at an unsigned trailhead above and to the west of the Tahoe Donner Ski Bowl.

(3) For access to the east end of this segment see Summit Lake Trail directions.