While we were in South Lake Tahoe we also took the time to drive up to Truckee, California. Our destination was the Donner Pass Tunnels. These were so cool to walk through and such a fun part of our US history. Built in the late 1860s, these tunnels were part of the first transcontinental railroad, largely carved out by Chinese workers. It was very interesting to see some of the rougher-hewn areas through the granite.

Reya enjoyed walking with the big sisters that she never had (the daughters of two of our traveling families). Kai had a lot of fun climbing in and around the tunnels with friends (all the boys). The kids explored around and poked their heads out the small windows and entrances that were scattered throughout the tunnels. The views from outside the tunnels were breathtaking: beautiful snow capped mountains to one side, clear turquoise water below, and lush green trees.

The graffiti within the tunnels was also a huge part of the experience. The graffiti spans different time periods and it was fun to see newer versus older graffiti styles. It’s also interesting to take in the artwork versus that which leans more towards vandalism. Overall, I’d guess we spend about two hours walking through the tunnels and taking our time exploring. If you’re ever in the area, we definitely recommend stopping to see at least part of this historic railroad tunnel!