Though not as large as Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake has fewer visitors, and despite the cabin homes nearby, it's almost as if nobody else is aware of this lake. We did notice some boat launch ramps and docks. After spending a day on the slopes at Donner Ski Ranch, where the lake is also visible from one of the lifts there, this up-close visit provided a different serenity. We stood there huddled in our winter jackets, admiring the beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains, as the sun slowly dipped below the mountains.