Clair Tappaan Warming Hut property protected by
conservation easement

The Truckee Donner Land Trust and Sierra Club have announced that 23 acres in the Donner Summit area will be preserved with a conservation easement. The 23 acres are located on the site of the historic Sierra Club ski run which many Ventana Chapter members visited in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The conservation easement will preclude future development of the property while ensuring continuation of current recreational opportunities, preserving wildlife habitat and open space and helping protect the Boreal Ridge watershed.

The hut was designed by Bay Area architects George Homsey and Donn Weaver and built in 1954 just a short distance up the hill from Clair Tappaan Lodge. The A-frame structure was constructed by volunteers. In 2004 the hut was closed and had fallen into disrepair. Two anonymous donors arranged to have the property transferred to the Truckee Donner Land Trust.

Restoration is underway spearheaded by the Homsey family and others. The goal is to have the hut operating again by 2009 as a practice base for first time backcountry skiers and as a day lodge during the summer.

This property is the first of the eight parcels in the 93 acres comprising the Sierra Club at Donner Summit lands to be protected. The Club Board of Directors has challenged Clair Tappaan supporters to get the Lodge on a break-even basis. If the Lodge continues to lose money, it will be sold. To get involved in the fight to save Clair Tappaan, contact Ernie Malamud, , 530-470-8303.

< back to all issues