Donner Party Trivia
Snowstorms, doomed shortcuts, and oxen mayhem—test if your trivia survival skills can outlast the Donner Party debacle!
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS
Near the eastern edge of Donner Lake, which Northern California town neighbors Donner Memorial State Park, site of the 1846–47 Donner Party encampment?
Truckee
Which unproven shortcut, promoted in an 1845 guidebook, did the Donner Party take—leading to brutal delays in the Wasatch Range and a five-day, waterless Great Salt Lake Desert crossing?
Hastings Cutoff
What grim nickname was given to the 17 snowshoers who left Donner Lake on December 16, 1846, attempting a desperate Sierra crossing to summon rescue?
Forlorn Hope
In October 1846, in which mountain range did the Donner Party become trapped by an early, heavy snowfall?
Sierra Nevada
After their 1847 rescue, in which U.S. state did most Donner Party survivors ultimately rebuild their lives?
California