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Interior of Tunnel Seven, Donner Summit In this image, the photographer is looking eastward along the former route of the Central Pacific Railroad over Donner Summit; Tunnel Eight is visible just beyond. This line, part of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, was built through the Sierra in 1867, twenty years after the infamous goings on at Donner Lake which lies just a few miles from where this image was made. One image by Richard Koenig; taken on October 7th 2011.
Echo Canyon near Death’s Rock This is one of the most scenic of spots along the entire route of the Pacific Railroad. The Union Pacific, racing to meet the Central Pacific, built through here in the first months of 1869. David Haward Bain, in his book The Old Iron Road, does a wonderful job providing some of the history of this unique and stunningly beautiful area. He covers the origin of the Hastings Cutoff, the trials and tribulations of the Donner-Reed party, as well as anecdotal evidence of others who passed through the canyon.
This would include Mormon saints, daring young riders of the Pony Express, the drivers and coachmen of the Overland Stage, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), and of course the railroad surveyors, graders, and track layers. One image by Richard Koenig; taken October 29th 2011.
