LTBMU Gates Unlocked

Posted: June 19, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I have heard that the gates up Blackwood Canyon have been unlocked by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This should be the upper and lower gates on the paved road, 03 and the lower gate on the Middle Fork Trail 15N38.

Again, I heard the Middle Fork is passable with trees across the trail but you can drive over them.

I do not have a trail report for the Barker Meadow OHV Trails (upper and lower, 16E76 & 16E79).

Please be prepared to deal with trees across the trail. “Turn Around, Don’t Go Around” is the official slogan of this website and a good rule of thumb for the trails.

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Rubicon Ronin

Clearing Trees, Finding Snow

Posted: June 16, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Today was supposed to be my annual spring tree clearing trip for the side trails along the Rubicon Trail.

When I got to the bottom of the Middle Fork Trail, I found the gate still locked. It was supposed to be unlocked on June 1st. The gate on the paved road to the top of Barker Pass was also locked. It was supposed to be unlocked on June 15th.

I’ve already sent an email to the Forest Service complaining.

So, not able to clear 15N38, 16E79 and 16E76, I headed for the Rubicon. I went up the Sourdough Trail and cleared eight trees from the trail. I was the first 4-wheeled vehicle to the top this year. But it looked like a pair of motorcycles had already made the journey.

Work smarter, not harder. Fewer chainsaw cuts and more winching.

My reward for clearing that first tree was three down in the same area, right around the corner.

With time on my hands, I tried my luck up the Ellis Lake/Peak Trail. It is quite narrow these days. I was able to get to the area with the open meadow.

This one/group was on the Ellis Peak/Lake Trail. I left it as it was quite large and the go around was not crazy off trail.

Further up the Ellis Trail the snow became more than I was willing to take on. I had already busted through a few drifts and winched over one.

The trail is under all that snow as it goes into the trees! Think side hill on slippery snow, sliding into the trees. No thanks.

I also popped up the Buck Lake Trail but only to the lake, not above. Maybe next week I’n try again, but the FS needs to open a few gates.

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Rubicon Ronin

Springtime on the Rubicon

Posted: June 6, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Six rigs drove out to Observation yesterday. It was wet, some snow but mostly uneventful. The first snow was in the middle of all the rolling dips still within the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Once out on the flatter terrain of the Tahoe National Forest, the puddles started. The trail is and will be very wet for weeks. Please Tread Lightly!

Here’s a short video of the worst of the snow sections. By the time you get out on the trail, most of this will be gone.

Snow and water on the Rubicon June 5, 2024

Just before the shelf road above Miller Creek, a boulder decided to plant itself. There was room to get around but this should be moved as soon as a properly equipped crew can get out there.

I don’t like the typical posser shots but one with my buddy John’s hood up was one I had to post. He lost the airline to his rear locker. Absolutely no issue driving out.

There were no trees across the trail. maybe a few that could be trimmed back. The side trails off the Rubicon will have trees down. If you venture off the Rubicon, be prepared to remove trees. Please don’t drive around and thus off the trail.

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Rubicon Ronin