Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Emigrant Trail
Photographed by Erik Christeson, PGP NSGW, June 6, 2015
1. The Emigrant Trail Marker
The Emigrant Trail in the pioneer days of California turned to the south at this point for approximately three miles, then west across the summit of the Sierras about a mile south of the present railroad.
It was here that the Donner Party missed the trail owing to the early snows, resulting in the tragedy.
Erected 1929 by Historic Landmark Committee - Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list.
Location. 39° 19.339′ N, 120° 13.763′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. It is on Cold Stream Road west of Deerfield Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13051 Samuel Dr, Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Donner Party (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Monument to Pioneer Families (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schallenberger Cabin Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Donner Party (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Emigrant Trail (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Permanent Emigrant Trail Markers (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Gateway Cabin (approx. 0.8 miles away); Rocking Stone (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truckee.
Regarding The Emigrant Trail. This marker was part of a plan in 1929 to mark the entire Emigrant Trail. Unfortunately, this and one other nearby marker are as far as it went. Nevertheless, they both contain good information gleaned from interviews of surviving emigrants from that time period.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on May 31, 2025, by Jacob Oscarson of Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo 1. submitted on July 2, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
