History
California has some of the most productive farmland in the world and a population of 38 million people. California alone is on of the biggest economies in the world. Water is critical to that economy and Sierran snows are critical . . . — — Map (db m105197) HM
History
At one time there were many lodges and inns along Highway 40. Today one can drive from the Bay Area to Donner Summit in a couple of hours but when Highway 40 was the only route it was two lanes and went through every downtown on the . . . — — Map (db m129580) HM
History
Only 17 hours from Sacramento to Virginia City. "Safety and comfort can't be beat." "By far the best road constructed across the mountains." "Half the maximum grade" of other roads. "Constructed in the best in the best possible . . . — — Map (db m129648) HM
History
Before 1850 you drank your root beer or sarsaparilla warm in California. Then ice began to be imported from Alaska. No one realized there was a closer supply in the Sierra. Ice Lakes got its name from the ice industry that arrived . . . — — Map (db m129593) HM
History
There has been a dam at the end of Summit Valley since the 1870's as you can see if you look closely at the top photograph here. To the left of the dam you can also see the buildings that used to be the "downtown" Soda Springs . . . — — Map (db m129582) HM
America's Largest Nordic Ski Resort Opens
When Royal Gorge opened in the 70's, Nordic skiing in the U.S. was in its infancy. Since then, the sport has grown to near European popularity and Royal Gorge became renowned the world over, boasting . . . — — Map (db m129654) HM
A hero of the Sierra Nevada Mountains!
Probably the first skier of the West. This Viking son of Norway, exemplified the
spirit of a true pioneer. Strong, daring, faithful and courageous he was the answer to California’s motto
“Bring Me . . . — — Map (db m60514) HM
History
Before the coming of the hotels and ski areas, the only Summit industry was the railroad. There had been a few dairies, two ice houses, sheep and some lumbering, even a still on the hill, but the railroad was key to the Summit. . . . — — Map (db m105196) HM
History
There have been many Soda Springs stores over the years on both sides of the railroad tracks. The original Soda Springs Store serviced the many industries on the Summit: ice harvesting, diaries, lumber mills, sheep grazing, and of . . . — — Map (db m105170) HM
In June of 1863, the trapper Henry Hartley discovered gold bearing ore here and staked out the Excelsior Company claims. Exaggerated reports and a 1865 market panic in the Comstock mines of Virginia City brought thousands of miners overnight to the . . . — — Map (db m68759) HM
History
For thousands of years Native Americans from what is now Nevada called Summit Valley their summer home. They came to hunt, fish, gather food, and trade with Native Americans from what is now California. We can see evidence of their . . . — — Map (db m129595) HM
History
"The sound of the bells when it was quiet (no trains), was magical to hear."
The tinkle of bells on the lead sheep was once a common sound in Summit Valley late in the summer and fall.
Lake Van Norden filled with water with . . . — — Map (db m129645) HM
Downhill ski racing history in the Western Hemisphere first began in California circa 1857, and in this famous Donner Pass of the Sierra Nevada the Auburn Ski Club presents a full exhibition of pioneered manpower transportation and skisport history . . . — — Map (db m60888) HM
History
After the emigrants had successfully negotiated Donner Pass, they rested in Summit Valley (Van Norden now). They grazed the stock, drank their fill of the pure water and rested. The trip had been exhausting and dangerous but now . . . — — Map (db m175610) HM
It is estimated more than 30,000 settlers came into California over this trail in the year 1849. Near this site outcroppings of rocks still bear the marks of wagon wheels. For those travelers who reached this point the next ordeal was the tortuous . . . — — Map (db m95507) HM
History
Rainbow Tavern, as it was known, was built in 1927 by Herstle Jones who also built Nyack Lodge. He was the brother of Oscar Jones who built the Soda Springs Hotel. Rainbow Lodge served as a way spot for summer travelers over the . . . — — Map (db m95575) HM
In 1844, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party became the first wagon party to cross the Sierra Nevada. A portion of the group spent the winter nearby along the Yuba River, before continuing to Sutter's Fort in the spring of 1845. Their pioneering . . . — — Map (db m95508) HM
About one mile from our camp and we left the valley to our right and went up a ravine on the left; 4 miles more brought us to a group of lakes (6 in number) the water in them was cool and beautifully clear - John Markle, August 22, 1849 — — Map (db m149586) HM
You take off to the left of the valey [sic] (Summit Valley) Travel over much bad road The rock is all through the wood looking like waggons [sic] white cows and sheep
Micajah Littleton, Sep 28, 1850 — — Map (db m95644) HM
