What I can't figure out is why Theodore Judah took the hard way when a much lower (by 2500 ft) Beckworth pass lay only thirty or so miles to the north. I used to think it was because no one knew about it at the time - but have since learned that Beckworth was already a very common immigrant route into California when the Donner party tried their ill fated shortcut.

Seems also that the route up through Susanville unto the great California valley might have been even easier yet. At least, going east that way, you don't quite even realize you've crossed the mountains until you suddenly find yourself in the great desert.

Maybe he was crazy - or at least had a fetish for the Donner area that biased him.

OPB