On and off the PCT: climbing Mount Lincoln

Looking south from Mount Lincoln: the PCT follows the Pacific Crest toward Anderson Peak

Mount Lincoln, like Mount Judah, is an easily accessible peak in the Sierra Nevada located south of Donner Pass—west of Truckee, California. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) passes through between these two peaks. The gap in-between is known as Roller Pass or Judah-Lincoln Pass. Whereas Mount Judah is accessible via the popular, well-signed Mt. Judah Loop Trail, which shares a 1.1-mile-long trail section with the PCT, “Mt. Lincoln Trail” is an unsigned use trail.

Mount Lincoln's east-side slopes: sections of the PCT still snow-covered (mid-August, 2019)

From the Donner Pass, hike south on the PCT for about three miles. Once you are leaving the forest of the Roller Pass area, continue on the PCT traversing the steep eastern slope of Mt. Lincoln. Watch out for the junction, from where a narrow trail winds up to Mt. Lincoln. With the ski lift installation on the top of Mt. Lincoln always in sight, it is easy to stay on track. The panoramic view is amazing.

Lichen patterns on a rock next to Mt. Lincoln Trail with Anderson Peak and Tinker Knob in the background

The winter ski area boundary on top of Mount Lincoln

Sugar Bowl summer-view from Mount Lincoln with Castle Peak in the far back

Roller Pass—also known as Judah-Lincoln Pass

PCT at Roller Pass

If it weren't for the “Truckee Trail - Roller Pass” marker on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), most hikers would not notice they are passing a historical spot. The PCT—between Mt. Judah and Mt. Lincoln—is an almost level path through forest. Difficult to believe that the PCT here intersects an old wagon route.

E. W. Harris made three hikes to Roller Pass in the summer of 1977. He did review the history of emigrant parties in the Donner area and described the Roller Pass topography in detail [1].  The Roller Pass was discovered in 1846 by Joseph Aram, who was with a party of about twelve families on his way from Illinois to Santa Clara Valley [1-3]. Until then, the Donner Pass (Truckee Pass) was used to go west. Pausing at Truckee Lake (now Donner Lake), the Aram Party, guided by Chief Truckee, explored for an easier crossing of the Sierra Ridge. Referencing an article in the Journal of American History, Harris writes [1,4]:

Finally Aram turned to the southwest following Cold Creek to its confluence with Emigrant Creek and thence (presumably) to its head along Emigration Canyon. Here they reached the pass between Lincoln und Judah peaks, and found it incredibly steep for wagons, some 800 feet higher than Truckee (Donner) Pass, but in the final analysis easier for wagons.

PCT near Roller Pass with view of Mt. Lincoln

To get to “the pass between Lincoln and Judah peaks” today, follow the PCT south from the Alpine Skills Institute, 11400 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA 96161. It takes 1.3 miles to the first PCT/Mt. Judah Loop Trail junction and another 1.1 miles to the second junction. Continue southward on the PCT for a quarter mile and you will find yourself on Roller Pass—ready to begin your own analysis.

References and more to explore

[1] E. W. Harris: The Early Emigrant Pass between Mt. Judah and Mt. Lincoln.  In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Spring 1979, Volume XXII, Number 1, pp. 31-39 . Link: epubs.nsla.nv.gov/statepubs/epubs/210777-1979-1Spring.pdf.
[2] Capt. Joseph Aram. Link: http://www.mariposaresearch.net/santaclararesearch/SCBIOS/jaram.html.
[3] Roller Pass. Donner Summit Historical Scociety. Link: http://www.donnersummithistoricalsociety.org/pages/JudahLooppgs/RollerPass.html.
[4] Joseph Aram,  “The Reminiscences of Captain Aram,” in James T. Watson, “Across the Continent in a Caravan,” Journal of American History, 1907, Vol. I., #4, 628.