I just ordered that book by Tom Stienstra. Hope to find some places not too far away were we can pack to and camp. Last weekend we camped at Donner Lake SP. Its a nice spot with a lot of beautiful hikes. We walked to the Lake and back and the next day I soloed up Cold River Canyon to record one of the trains going through the pass. The river was LOUD! I met a couple from St.Paul on the road back. We talked about the Donner/Reed party. Too bad they did not know how to ice fish for trout? They made too many bad choices. Starting late, taking the Hastings cutoff, not having tried and true wilderness guides or natives with them. The base of the monument is 20 feet high to show were the snow was in 1846. When you stand there it kind of gives you goose bumps. No one could get through snow that deep. Thanks for all the tips and have a nice summer.
Rick