Reno ’18 Motorsports Show and Fun Run

I spoke with Al Lockett at last night’s Hills Angels meeting. He’s announced the Fun Runs that will accompany the Motorsports Show for 2018.

First the Motorsports show. It’s March 16, 17 & 18 at the Reno Convention Center. I will have a booth there again this year along with a bunch of local 4wd clubs.

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This will be the 10th annual Motorsports Show that happens along with the Home Show, Boat Show and Pet Show. So, there will be something for everyone in the family.

The local clubs always have a great display of their rigs

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The Fun Runs will benefit the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC). There are three runs scheduled. All will meet in the Dayton area on Saturday March 10th, a week before the Motorsports show. The “Wild” run is the Hackett Trail. They estimate it will take ten to twelve hours to complete. If there is any fresh snow, that run will be cancelled.

I’ drawing a blank on the middle run but I think it will be the Eldorado trail. Always a fun trail anytime of year.

The “Mild” run is scheduled to be dirt backroads from Dayton up to Virginia City for lunch and back again.

All runs depart from “Our Park” at Highway 50 and River Street in Dayton, NV. Staging is at 9am and they depart at 9:30am.

Here’s a link to the Fun Run page on Facebook. More on the Motorsport show on other Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/events/226816844557203/

Come out and say hi.

 

Rubicon Ronin

 

 


Current Conditions 2-16-18

So it’s been a mild winter. No where near what we all experienced last winter.

Yesterday, I ventured out to the staging area. The residential area has yet to have enough snow to bring any plowing issues but I’m keeping an eye on it.

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The road in is both icy and down to the pavement depending on tree cover. Here is a shot of the bridge over McKinney Creek just before the staging area. Not enough snow so that you’d slip off the bridge.

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Here is the view from the bottom of the first climb just past the staging area. It looks innocent enough. Hard packed snow with no signs of ice.

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But just up around the corner, there is ice under the thin layer of snow. I was in my pick-up, alone, without a winch, sliding all over the place. So, I very carefully backed down the hill. With better tires and friends to encourage me I think I could have made it.

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Last week, John Briggs and Dean Anderson (both of the Tahoe Donner 4wd Club) made it out to Observation. Here is a shot of Miller Lake.

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Here is a shot of one of the last climbs before getting to Observation. It’s got a good west facing slope so the snow wasn’t too bad.

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The unusual poser shot at Observation (looking the wrong way).

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And the traditional poser shot at Observation, with the sun behind them washing out the shot.

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Snow is forecast for Sunday and Monday (18th and 19t). Only five inches or so but should be enough to eliminate the ice issue and make for a nice day of wheeling on Tuesday. More snow next Friday so the weekends might not be the best time to go play.

Remember to go prepared. Bring enough gear to spend the night if something goes wrong: think food, water, shelter, heat, communications, etc, Always carry some kind of saw. Even if you wheel out without issue, you might encounter a tree across the trail on your way back. That’s where my “Turn Around, Don’t Go Around” catch phrase doesn’t really work. You’ll need to get home. A hand saw and a winch can move big trees, especially on the snow.

Please remember that at this time, all side trails off the Rubicon are seasonally closed. Just because there is not a gate does not mean the trail is open.

The first side trail to open is the Richardson Lake Trail on April 1st.

 

Rubicon Ronin

 

 


TNF open house for 2018 OHV grants

The Tahoe National Forest will be holding an open house for users to voice their opinions on what needs to be done to our TNF trails. I’m going to try and make this one but I won’t stay the full three hours.

I encourage everyone to stop by and talk OHV with those that manage our resources. It’s a great time to et to know those involved.

 

U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST 631 Coyote Street Nevada City, CA 95959 www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe/

News Release

Contact: Joe Flannery 530-478-6205 or 530-587-3558 jflannerye@fs.fed.us February 5, 2018

Open House Planned for Tahoe National Forest Off-Highway Vehicle Program Grant Application

NEVADA CITY, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled an open house in preparation for an annual application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, to request funding for trail maintenance, restoration, development of facilities, law enforcement, and planning for off-highway vehicle (OHV) access.

On Thursday, February 15, 2018, the Forest Service will host an open house from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for individuals and organizations to provide input and review proposals for the application.

“I encourage anyone interested in the OHV program to drop by this informal open house to discuss their ideas on these proposals,” said Joe Chavez, Tahoe National Forest Trails Program Coordinator. Written comments are encouraged by February 23.

These annual grants provide important funds for the Forest Service to develop and maintain trails and trailheads, repair winter storm damage and restore trailside environments, as well as provide patrolling and monitoring of these areas. When finalized, the grants will be available for public review and comment on the State of California’s website (http://ohv.parks.ca.gov) from March 6 – April 2, 2018.

What:              Open House to discuss off highway vehicle grant proposals

Where:            Tahoe National Forest Headquarters

631 Coyote St., Nevada City, CA 95959

Upstairs conference room (enter from upper parking lot behind building)

 When:             Thursday evening – February 15, 2018

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Questions, comments or letters can be directed to:

Joe Chavez, Forest Trails Program Coordinator

Tahoe National Forest, 631 Coyote St., Nevada City, CA 95959

Email: joetchavez@fs.fed.us

(530) 478-6158