I’ve driven through there a couple of times in the summer—can’t imagine it with 20-30 feet of snow. But, to your point, the Donners were the only group that didn’t make it—everyone else that year made it in. The part I didn’t realize until I saw the documentary is that the people in California were aware that the Donners hadn’t made it and sent rescue parties—four I think—to rescue them. The Mexican War diverted men to attempt the rescues.
Yes the rescue parties failed and the war distracted them. The DP would of been better off staying in what is now Mogul but they were afraid of the Paiutes.