July 14, 2014 (Monday) Donner Summit Rest Area (Eastbound I-80 Side) Paint-Out

this pond is about a 10 min. walk from the parking lot and quiet

Date:          July 14, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          9:00 am
Place:          Boreal/Donner Summit Rest Stop on the eastbound I-80 side
Amenities:        bathrooms and running water

Directions;  From central Reno, it is 41 miles (40 min.).  Take I-80 West.  Pass Truckee and continue up to the summit.  Take Exit 176 (Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Road).  At the stop sign, turn Left and go under the freeway.  Turn Left again and get back on I-80 going East.  Take the immediate exit for the Rest Area on your right.  Park near the restrooms and we will meet there.

Yes, I realize this is a highway rest-stop....but, there is a BEAUTIFUL little trail loop there that is called "Glacier Meadow Loop Trail" - only about 1.5 mile in total.  As you walk this mostly level and easy trail, you travel away from the freeway noise and it gets quieter.  There is a quiet pond at the end of the loop trail (not the same one as right by the parking lot which is very pretty but noisy)  Here are some pictures of the trail if you take it in the direction of going off to the right side of the restrooms:

this is the pond by the parking lot that you walk behind and into the woods

much of the trail is like this, but some areas are rocky

the wildflowers are out

watch for signs or you might go on the Pacific Crest Trail instead!

there are granite areas carved by glaciers

next you go by a pretty little creek

next you get a glimpse of Castle Peak

now you get to the quiet pond - a great place!  this is also where the PCT intersections with the Glacier Loop Trail

now as the loop goes back to the parking lot, you go by a marshy meadow

now you travel back over the granite area to the parking lot

March 16, 2014 (Sunday) Paint-Out at Donner Pass Bridge (aka Rainbow Bridge) Lookout

Date:        March 16, 2014 (SUNDAY)
Time:        10:00 am
Meet:        Wild Cherries Coffee, 11429 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
Caravan to:     We will continue on Donner Pass Road (aka Lincoln Hwy) over Hwy 80, then pass Donner Lake and continue up the hill and cross the bridge to the large parking turn-out on the left (seen in above photo).

There are several other turn-outs with smaller parking areas further up the road for anyone who wants to continue on for other views.  Some views are of big granite cliffs and if you go a little further there are lakes and ski places and lodges.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful, sunny and not too cold!

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• hiking boots or good walking shoes with tread if you wish to go off pavement
• hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, maybe an umbrella if not too windy
• layers of clothing
• water, snacks, lunch

Amenities:  none at the overlook.  That's why we are meeting at Wild Cherries Coffee.  The coffee place also has maps of the ski areas (Norden, Sugar Bowl) where we are headed if you are interested.

Directions:  From Reno, take Hwy 80 west to Truckee, and take the downtown exit that says 89 to Tahoe City.  At the end of the exit ramp, turn right at the round-about and then turn left at the light at Donner Pass Road.  Go about a block and a strip mall is on your left and Wild Cherries is on the furthest corner.  From the spagetti bowl, allow about 35-40 minutes to get there.

Links:
http://www.wildcherriescoffeehouse.com/contact.html
http://www.route40.net/page.asp?n=30