Eighty pioneers, the Donner Party, dreamt of California’s “Manifest Destiny” when they became snowbound in the Sierras in 1846. With supplies dwindling and winter unrelenting, seven survivors of the “Forlorn Hope” group trekked for help. Their story sparked four relief efforts, the first reaching the Donner camps in February 1847. Battling harsh terrain and frozen silence, they found a lone figure asking, “Are you men from California or do you come from heaven?“
These lesser-known relief parties captivated historians. Now, a historical map project aims to retrace their route, understanding their motivations and physical struggles. This journey will honor their selflessness, exploring the human need to survive and do the right thing, even at great cost.
Explore the history of the Donner Relief Party and relive our expedition.
Details of the Expedition
To honor the Donner Relief Parties, a never before attempted 100-mile winter crossing on foot across the Sierra Nevada mountains from Johnson Ranch to Donner Lake, California, retracing the 1st Relief Party’s route.
Johnson Ranch (Wheatland) February 14th, 2022 to the Donner Museum at the east end of Donner Lake, CA, February 18th, 2022, exactly 175 years to the day of the arrival of the 1st Relief Party journey (February 18th, 1847).
Bob Crowley and Tim Twietmeyer, veteran ultra-distance trail runners who have been researching and field surveying the route, accompanied by Jennifer Hemmen, a versatile ultra-distance and adventure athlete and Elke Reimer, a veteran ultra-distance runner, backpacker and trail steward.
It is anticipated it will take the team 5 days to complete the expedition. The route will take them across the Sierra foothills, along the Bear River, up steep canyons, over the western Sierra at Donner Pass (7,057’), and down to the east edge of Donner Lake and Donner Memorial State Park. Deep snow and frigid temperatures are anticipated, requiring much of the journey be done in snowshoes and wilderness winter gear. Progressing 10 to 35 miles per day, the team will set camp each evening close to where they believe several notable camps existed. These include Mule Springs, Big Bend and Starved Camp, where rescued members of the 2nd Relief were trapped by a winter storm in the shadows of Donner Pass.
1. Appreciate the motivations and character of each Relief Party member, the obstacles they encountered and insights into their psyche throughout their ordeal.
2. Share important new historical information and maps regarding the believed route of the 1st Relief Party.
3. Honor and reflect upon the souls who dared this selfless and inspiring act.
The adventurers will keep a daily journal during their journey. A film crew will be embedded to capture the conditions, terrain and team interaction. A GPS tracking system will trace the team’s movements live over the internet. Anyone can follow the expedition beginning [the link to the tracker will be published a few days before February 14th on this website and on the Facebook Group Page.
A collaborative team created the first-of-it’s-kind interactive map, tracing every day of all the Donner Relief Parties.
Read about the mapping project here
Access the interactive map here
Watch video about our new Mapping The Heroes digital interactive map
Photo Gallery
Additional Info
As an expression of respect, each team member will carry cards with each Donner Relief member’s photo and brief bio as a reminder of their struggle. Following the completion of the trek, team members will have a presentation of their journey at Donner Memorial State Park, sharing observations and impressions regarding the trail, conditions and obstacles encountered, and insight into the Donner Relief members.
