November 1846, Jacob long and his family are trying desperately to catch up to Charles Donner and his party. Taking the Hastings Cutoff at the urging of his wife's cousin, they soon find themselves caught in the same blizzard conditions that trapped Donner and his party. Unable to reach Donner's group they struggle to survive only to learn there are worst things hiding in the storm... 1863 Special Agent Keefer O'Connor is being dispatched to California on a 'special' mission. Should his efforts fail, it could spell doom for the Union forces once and for all. Due to the secrecy of his mission, he must journey country by train and then wagon, which will eventually lead him on the same route that Donner and his party followed. Unknown to him, the evil that doomed the Donners and the Longs is still there, waiting. And it longs for new victims...