Coldstream Creek Canyon by Cross Country Ski

Near: Truckee
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 6,000 - 6,250 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: February 2019

Tucked up behind Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, Coldstream Creek Canyon is a surprisingly serene and scenic valley.  A ridge to the north blocks highway noise from nearby I-80 and traffic is light enough on the active train tracks loop around the valley not to ruin the scene. Overnight guests snowshoeing and skiing up the the Lost Trail Lodge tend to keep a trail broken up the valley and at least occasionally snow-cat service up to the Lodge or surrounding ski runs keep the trail relatively well broken.  The trail climbs about 150 feet in the fist half mile, but then climbs much more gently for the next few miles.  If you hit this trail after a good packing by the snow cat it can be a great intro cross country ski in the back country.

Rules

This route runs mostly through the southern section of Donner Memorial State Park and crosses into private land near the Lost Trail Lodge.  No camping in DMSP outside of established campgrounds.  Dogs must be on leash on trails in the park, but this route follows a road, so voice control should be OK.

Trailhead

Drive down the plowed first 1/4 mile of Coldstream Creek Rd and tuck up against the snowbank.  Probably best to have a good shovel with you to make sure you can extract your car when done.  No fees to park here.  If you want a more cleared spot you can park in the main parking area for $5 in the winter and ski across the small area of trails in the park to the road.

Route

At the end of the road, follow the most beaten path, hopefully tracked out by the snowcat, slightly to the left then up in to the valley.  The route climbs consistently for the first half mile, then gently rolls higher up the valley.  The snowcat tracks will lead up until the "Horseshoe Bend" of the railroad tracks at the head of the valley.  If you want to keep skiing, cross the tracks and there should usually be a broken path to the Lost Trail Lodge.  This seems to be on private property though, so skiing past the lodge might be considered a bit rude.  If you turn north immediately over the tracks and roughly follow a tributary stream of Coldstream Creek (Emigrant Canyon Extension on the Caltopo Map) there should be a skiable route to an overlook over the valley, though this will require several hundred feet of climb.  There didn't seem to be any trail broken up this valley when we visited and decided we'd had a good day and didn't need to go fumbling around in the fresh powder.

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/1Q66

Skiing up the initial climb into the valley.

A view up the valley from a lookout just off the broken trail

A view of the creek meandering through meadows near Horseshoe Bend. 

Following some ski tracks to the Lost Trail Lodge

Bridge over the creek near Lost Trail Lodge.

The Lost Trail Lodge and it's shaggy guardian.  He, seemed happy to just lounge around in the snow, but appreciated some company.  From their website it looks like Lost Trail Lodge allows dogs to stay overnight, with some restrictions.  Could be a fun overnight trip to ski there if your dog is OK with sleeping on the floor.