Embedded Files
Donner Summit Falls
Nevada County, California
Description
Click to view photo(s)
Location
Most people probably haven't noticed this nice little waterfall immediately south of I-80 near Donner Summit (Euer Saddle), but it is pretty easily accessible and worthy of some recognition (however, only accessible from the eastbound lanes). We haven't been able to find a reference to this waterfall online, but we're not saying we "discovered" it. We would be VERY surprised if no one else ever noticed it. It may be a product of construction of the interstate that was finished in the 1960s. It is fed by a pond just above Billy Mack Canyon but runs dry by mid- to late-summer.
Donner Summit Falls: 39.3424 N, 120.3302 W
USGS Topo: Norden
Directions
While on I-80 eastbound at Donner Summit, drive ~0.9 miles past the exit for the rest area and turn off the interstate into a large dirt pullout off the south side of the highway. This waterfall is visible to the west ~1,000' away. I walked up the highway (against traffic) on the opposite side of the guardrail from traffic to get a closer view, but travel at your own risk (i.e. not recommended). There is also a chain-up area just upstream of the waterfall (~0.7 miles from the rest area exit) to pull off the highway into, just before the guardrail starts.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse