THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF TRUCKEE’S HISTORIC HIKESPETROGLYPHS, CHINA WALL, AND SUMMIT TUNNELS

If you hike in far enough and you’re really quiet, you’ll hear bats chirping from high above. You can’t see them, but you’ll feel their presence as their sonar bounces off the rocks, walls, and floor, making it difficult to gauge exactly where they are. The Summit Tunnels wrap up this historical hike, during which you’ll step back in time and experience three significant pieces of Truckee’s history.

Start your hike on the shoulder of Old 40, just down from Rainbow Bridge. You’ll see a marker commemorating over 200 Native American petroglyphs estimated to be 1,500 to 4,000 years old. The geometric shapes can be hard to see, but if you look closely, you’ll eventually make out waves, swirls, and zigzags. Archeologists can only guess their meaning. When you’ve had your fill, look left to find a rock-lined path that will take you up toward China Wall. Be very careful not to step on the petroglyphs as you make your way up.

Hand-built by Chinese laborers, the 150-foot tall China wall was originally used as a traverse across the canyon as the Transcontinental Railroad was being built. “As they dug and blasted Summit Tunnel 6, they carried the rubble to the ravine just east of the tunnel. There they filled and perfectly fitted a dry fill (using no mortar) rock retaining wall,” writes Bill Oudegeest of the Donner Summit Historical Society in an article published in the Sierra Sun. He adds, “Take a look at how beautifully the rocks are laid together. Look at the tool marks from pry bars and star drills.”

Continue your hike to the right of China Wall to reach the Summit Tunnels. On your left, you’ll see Tunnel 7. You can walk in either direction to experience the extraordinary efforts of the Chinese rail workers to connect the east and west across an inhospitable and dangerous High Sierra Mountain Range. You have the option to bring a flashlights or headlamp. For the adventurous types, no light is needed, as plenty filters through various tunnel openings. However, if you don’t bring your flashlight, be mindful of the rocks and boulders that litter the floor—they can easily trip you up.

The Donner Summit Historical Society offers a wealth of information about the petroglyphs, China Wall, Summit Tunnel, and the entire transcontinental route that made its way across Donner Summit. Bill Oudegeest is the author of a 218-page historical book providing stories and maps to accompany nine walks and one hike along Donner Summit. It’s called Walking Through Donner Summit History, and you can purchase it online at donnersummithistoricalsociety.org/ pages/store.

Find out: What popular cartoon character is mentioned in the “About Graffiti” marker at the entrance to Tunnel 7?

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY EXPLORING TRUCKEE’S HISTORY LIKE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT REMOVING HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS IS A FELONY; LEAVE THE TRAIL JUST AS YOU FOUND IT, PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN, AND TREAD LIGHTLY. FUTURE EXPLORERS WILL APPRECIATE IT.