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Email us with your comments or questions: info@historicdonnertrail.org
Contributions:
Some people ask about making a contribution to us. We certainly would appreciate any contribution, no matter how small. At this time we are using PayPal to accept donations. If you've used PayPal, you know how easy it is. If you've never used it, just click on the button and you'll be stepped through the easy process. It's very safe and secure with no fees for the sender. Thank you!
Below are some of the comments we've received from supporters:
Further below are some from those who sent comments with their signed petitions in 2006 (over 230 petitions received out of 500 we sent out to Donner Lake property owners--Thanks to everyone who sent a petition back then).
July 6, 2010:
Thanks Rick! Did the hike and loved every minute of it. Parked at Sugar Bowl, hiked down to Old Highway Drive and then back to the summit. Saw a couple of old cars that looked like they had flown off the old highway and crashed right where they were. So much history in one place, I am glad you are watching out for it. Plan on taking my son on the same hike when he gets a little bigger.
Love the
site by the way, very informative. God bless you guys for trying to keep
trails open and history alive for the rest of us who only visit the
area.
All the best,
James Harding
San Rafael, CA
November 19, 2009:
I have lived in Truckee for the last 25 years and have always been curious about the area of the old Emigrant trail. Finally, yesterday with a friend that had been part way, we climbed the trail to where it crosses the creek and has the missing bridge, then we crossed over to old 40. What an incredible experience!
I am
keenly interested in progress on this battle, and would like to be
contacted when meetings take place, or with any help I might provide to
reopen this historic treasure to the public. Thanks for your very
informative site.
Dave Sheetz
Truckee,
CA
June 18, 2009:
Thanks for the great information on this access issue. It is nice to see someone that is willing to stand up for the publics rights, I appreciate your efforts.
While not completely surprised of the behavior of county supervisors, I am surprised at the behavior mentioned of some of the non-profits. What were they thinking?!?!
I notice that the organization occasionally does a hike of the route. If you plan another one, let me know as I would like to join you.
Ron Gould,
Auburn, CA
May 8, 2009:
Glad to hear that you've been successful thus far in keeping the old highway open.
Syd
www.roadsidepeak.com (unique '30s to '60s roadside buildings and signs)
April 20, 2009:
I did not know that an organization like this exists, and I am relieved to know that other active citizens care about the Donner Trail.
Jay Shuttleworth
New York City
March 3, 2009:
I greatly respect and appreciate the work you've done. Amazing effort, truly amazing, given what you are up against. Would love to come help with trail work / hikes / etc.
Bob Maclean
Alameda, CA
December 12, 2008:
Your organization and members are doing Great Work in resisting this wrong and sneaky deal. Best of Luck to you and your cause to preserve this historic trail and all that it represents. Keep Up The Great Work!!!
Victor & Kim Miller
Fairlawn, NJ
December 1, 2008:
It was a blessing to find your site. I had looked in many hiking books yet they did not reveal this road that you fight so hard to protect. It is sad to hear that this guy is so anti-people. Most hikers and history buffs are so cautious and respectful of the land they would not give any reason for him to try to prevent passage. Thanks so much for your work.
Jeffrey Hayes
Munich, Germany
August 7, 2007
Thanks, Rick, for working to keep the old wagon road open!
Russell Towle
Dutch Flat, CA
(Sadly, Russell died in an auto accident on I-80 near Davis one year to the day after this email, August 7, 2008. See more on the home page--midway down under February 2006.)
July 23, 2007:
At one of our DLPOA board meetings (I think it was in 9/05 or May or June/06), Leigh Fitzpatrick, (of Truckee Trails) spoke & urged the board to get behind the trail alternative. While Fitzpatrick was still there, I strenuously objected, saying that I did not think an historical, public trail should be abandoned to suit Cadjew and the Truckee Trails people...
Barbara
SF Bay Area
March 29, 2007:
It warmed my heart to read that Rick and his friends are successfully challenging the bully and his cohort, Ted Owens, to open this trail for all of us. I'm glad that your group wasn't intimidated by these selfish individuals, who've taken the 'law' into their own hands. Just when I've lost respect for what's happening in government, along comes a grassroots hero! You can count on me for a donation.
With humble gratitude,
Marilyn Foreman
Donner Lake, CA
March 19, 2007:
I am SO proud of you all standing up to these people. It sounds like the old south to me. So many will benefit from your efforts. I don't understand why this man bought this property with such an attitude.
If I can do anything to help the cause, I'd make the trip up there. Good Luck and keep it up.
Donna Mathews
CA
March 9, 2007:
Add me to your list of interested parties. My family used that trail before Cadjew got involved. I would support legal action to restore the public right to the trail.
Robert
Truckee, CA
October 3, 2006:
Thank you so much for your work in preserving this beautiful trail. Nevada County's historical heritage and natural beauty have long been under siege and I'm heartened that you're standing up to the developers -- and winning!
Kristin Johnson
New Light on the Donner Party
www.utahcrossroads.org/DonnerParty
September 22, 2006:
Thanks to the efforts of the Historic Donner Trail Committee a portion of the California Trail from Donner Lake to the Summit won't be abandoned as a public road. This section of the Trail became the main route with the construction of the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake Wagon Road in 1862, and later the Lincoln Highway. It decayed after the construction of US Highway 40 and became a "Jeep" trail until a landowner blocked it. A group of citizens has been fighting to preserve the old trail, and has stopped an attempt by Nevada County to abandon the road.
Dan Rosen, author of www.donnerpartydiary.com
Comments from November 2005 petition signers:
December 12:
" ...hiked the trail many times with family. Last time we encountered Cadjew. All of us were over 55."
November 29:
"Let me know when to go to the (Nevada) County Supervisors meetings and rattle a few cages."
November 27:
"I have been going to Donner Lake since 'before birth' and hiked this trail and creek since the 1950s. What this bully is doing is criminal!!!"
November 22:
"This historic trail is important to remind us of our pioneer ancestors and their epic struggle crossing the Sierras."
November 19:
"Dear Committee: We have had property at Donner for over 30 years and hiked on the trail with our children. We appreciate your efforts to regain our legal access."
November 16:
"This public thoroughfare was in use just a relatively short time ago."
November 16:
"Thank you for educating me on this issue. I look forward to hearing from you as this group of activists is formed and activities are planned."
Included in the 230 petition signers were 2 directors and 4 advisors to the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
Here is the petition that we asked supporters to sign:
Help Protect The Historic Donner Trail
November 2005
Robert Farnsworth, president of the board of directors of the Donner Lake Property Owners Association has called the Donner Trail, "…possibly the most important historical trail in this part of the Sierra and Northern California."
Its history began when the Indians found the best route from Donner Lake to the summit. The pioneers followed their trail, as did the Dutch Flat-Donner Lake Wagon Road and the Lincoln Transcontinental Highway (1914 to 1926). It was replaced with Highway 40 in 1926. The old unpaved road is a permanent right-of-way granted by the State of California to Nevada County in 1956, with Caltrans retaining ultimate control.
The trail was enjoyed by hikers from then until 1989 when it was blocked by huge boulders placed across it by Frank Cadjew, the owner of some of the property through which the easement runs. His 1987 deed states the land is "subject to any and all easements, rights of way, and restrictions upon or across said lands." He has blockaded the trail for over 15 years, hoping that if enough time goes by, Nevada County will abandon the easement and the trail. He claims it is a nuisance to have hikers on the trail; however, there is a new subdivision next to his property, and without the easement, his property would be far more valuable for another subdivision. Then houses would be built on this historic trail. If that happens, this historic and beautiful trail for hikers will be gone forever. He has offered to give another route skirting the southern edge of his property as a "trade." County Supervisors John Spencer and Ted Owens, who seem not to be interested in preserving the history of the Donner Lake area, are on record encouraging him to apply for an abandonment of the easement and have indicated they would vote in favor of it. This would be completely unacceptable since it would not preserve the original historic trail.
The barrier of large boulders across the trail is absolutely illegal. The Nevada County Board of Supervisors ordered him to remove it in June of 1992, but he has chosen to blatantly ignore the order. He has also posted no trespassing and Rottweiler guard-dog signs at the barrier to intimidate hikers. Those that have dared to walk on the trail have been confronted by Mr. Cadjew or his employees with rifles and have been ordered to leave his private property immediately. In one known case, he actually drove a group of hikers in his jeep back to the lake to get them off the trail. Another time he attempted to have some hikers arrested.
By signing this petition you will be joining other Nevada County voters and/or property owners demanding:
that the Nevada County Board of Supervisors and the Truckee Town Council end any and all negotiations with Frank Cadjew regarding the abandonment of this historic pioneer trail or rerouting it in some other place.
that the Board and Council shall order him to remove the illegal rock barrier across the trail within ten days or it will be removed at his expense.
that the Board and Council shall order him to immediately remove any no trespassing or guard-dog signs that are placed to discourage hikers from using the trail or in any way threaten hikers on the trail.
Signed _______________________________________________ Date __/___/___
Address ________________________________________Tel. ____-____-______
Hopefully we will prevail in protecting this important historic trail for posterity!
PLEASE BOYCOTT TRUCKEE TRAILS FOUNDATION
THEY OFFICIALLY SUPPORT THE OWENS GIVEAWAY PLAN!
Their name sounds good, but Truckee Trails Foundation was established by and for the Town of Truckee to implement their "Trail Plan" (donations to this "non-profit organization" are donations to the Town of Truckee). Truckee Trails is not concerned with historic trails and has actively promoted the Ted Owens plan to abandon this historic road and trail. They are supported by the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe, the group founded by Ted Owens! Owens then boasts that his giveaway plan must be a good idea since it is supported by Truckee Trails Foundation!
Truckee Trails apparently views "trails" as primarily for the benefit the 20-30 year-old male mountain biker--with each and every page of their website showing a mountain biker, some with riders doing stunt maneuvers over logs and boulders.
You would think a "foundation" called Truckee Trails would have some interest in preserving the many historical trails around Truckee, but no so. TTF officials' number one concern is kissing up to the local politicians who created the foundation and disburse taxpayers' money to them, and that means carrying out the personal agenda of those politicians.
So PLEASE, don't donate to Truckee Trails Foundation as long as it promotes this GIVEAWAY of your historic trail (your old state highway) to a private party who has recently sold an easement through their land on the north side of old Highway 40 for "subdivision purposes."
CALL TRUCKEE TRAILS AT 530-587-8214 and tell them what you think.
Tell their contributors, including the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
2009 Update: TTF's website list of supporters has dwindled from around 50 to around 10. This could be due to several factors, and maybe they are simply not showing the full list. But maybe our 3-year-old boycott is working. We notice that the original president, Leigh Fitzpatrick, has left TTF, and there are new faces. We would welcome an official change of policy regarding the historic Donner trail, but have not heard of any change so far.
