To cross the Sierra Nevada at its lowest pass and maintain a maximum inclination of under 3%, the railroad tracks are looping in and out of several side valleys on its gradual route up the South side of Donner Lake to Donner Pass. Cold Stream Road leads to a ramp up to the tracks that can be crossed on foot (the trains move slowly and can be heard and seen in advance. An underpass is available a few yards to the south, but often flooded by Cold Stream Creek.