Verdi in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Truckee/Donner Trail

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, March 18, 2016

1. Truckee/Donner Trail Marker

Inscription. In 1844 the Townsend-Stephens-Murphy Party became the first wagon train to reach California over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Their rugged route through the Truckee River Canyon was hazardous to the pioneers and their animals, so in 1845 mountain man Caleb Greenwood blazed an alternate trail north of the river. It runs from what is now Verdi, Nevada, past Dog Valley and on to Donner Lake.

This trail was later used by the ill-fated Donner Party in 1846 and by Gold Rush pioneers after 1848 and is marked on either side of Dog Valley Road, west of this marker. In the terrible winter of 1846-47, the Donner Party was entrapped by a series of snowstorms at what is now Donner Lake and at a campsite at Alder Creek. Of the 81 men, women, and children at the high camps only 46 reached their destination in the California settlements. Some survivors resorted to cannibalism to stay alive.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Truckee Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 39° 31.475′ N, 120° 0.122′ W. Marker is in Verdi, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker is on Henness Pass Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located in

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Von Schmidt Monument Historic Park at the Nevada-California border. Although the park is actually on the California side of the border, the park is just outside the town of Verdi, Nevada. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Verdi NV 89439, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Von Schmidt (here, next to this marker); Henness Pass Road (here, next to this marker); Overview (here, next to this marker); The Town of Crystal Peak (here, next to this marker); Verdi Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crystal Peak Toll Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Truckee Trail - Rocky Ravine (approx. 0.6 miles away in California); Verdi (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Verdi.

Von Schmidt Park Befor the Markers Were Erected image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, February 28, 2008

2. Von Schmidt Park Befor the Markers Were Erected

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 438 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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