4.0 hr
Overview
Starting at Castle Valley Trailhead, head up the fireroad the same as you would for Hole in the Ground. Before Hole in the Ground trail, there is a right turn after a rock garden on doubletrack. Stay on the doubletrack, cross over the PCT (no bikes), and the summit trail (no bikes). At 1.2 miles, the DLRT starts to your right. Soon after, the granite garden begins - it's one of the best sections of trail featuring great vistas of the Donner area.<br> <br>At the 3 mile mark you'll be at summit lake. From here, there is a faint trail around the lake and several cool perches for a snack break. Start on doubletrack at the lake and follow it up and over a small hill. Then head downhill toward Truckee for a wicked descent. Keep an eye out for a short climb to the left at about the 4.4 mile mark, the singletrack picks back up on an exposed hillside. You'll pop out on a doubletrack again for a short climb, then back onto trail on the right.<br><br>After crossing a bridge, you'll arrive at an intersection with Wendin Way Access Trail. Left continues up to the ridge, right takes you down to the trailhead. Once up a short grunt of a climb, you are on the ridge and in Tahoe Donner area. From there, you can take DLRT on a fast plunge down to the "bench" or delve into the Donner trails, the possibilities are endless. The DLRT also functions as a great out-and-back. Head back the way you came! Its ALL good...
Trail Stats
13.3 km
372 m
2344 m
2100 m
—
Photos
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Beginning of the DLRT. Keep your eyes open for those little DLRT placards (posted on trees) along the way.
Beginning of the DLRT. Keep your eyes open for those little DLRT placards (posted on trees) along the way.
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Good climb, fun downhill.
Good climb, fun downhill.
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Dropping into the "granite garden"
Dropping into the "granite garden"
End of the trail(for now) DLRT!
"The Bench"
So many options from here!
End of the trail(for now) DLRT! "The Bench" So many options from here!
View of Castle Peak on the Donner Lake Rim Trail
Truckee, Ca.
View of Castle Peak on the Donner Lake Rim Trail Truckee, Ca.
Start of singletrack downhill
Start of singletrack downhill
Good fun....
Good fun....