[ENCORE] FRONTIER TRAGEDY Ep. 3 | Donner Party, Part 3

[ENCORE] FRONTIER TRAGEDY Ep. 3 | Donner Party, Part 3

From Legends of the Old West by Black Barrel Media

January 21, 2026 · 33 min · Season 45 · Episode 3

About this episode

The episode details the struggles of the Donner Party as they attempt to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains and face severe weather conditions.

The Donner Party faces another punishing trip across a desert before it finally reaches the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the border between Nevada and California. The party has lost a ton of time, but the travelers still believe they can make it over the mountains and into central California before winter. They make it as far as Truckee Lake – now Donner Lake – before they become trapped by blizzards. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Use this link for Free Shipping and 365-day returns: Quince.com/lotow Join Black Barrel+ for ad-free episodes and bingeable seasons: blackbarrel.supportingcast.fm/join Apple users join Black Barrel+ for ad-free episodes, bingeable seasons and bonus episodes. Click the Black Barrel+ banner on Apple to get started with a 3-day free trial. For more details, visit our website www.blackbarrelmedia.com and check out our social media pages. We’re @OldWestPodcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. On YouTube, subscribe to LEGENDS+ for ad-free episodes and bingeable seasons: hit “Join” on the Legends YouTube homepage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Mentioned in this episode

Places: Sierra Nevada Mountains, Nevada, California, Truckee Lake, Donner Lake

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