Tree Clearing: Part I (we need to go back)
Posted: May 20, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 16E76, 16E79, tree clearing Leave a commentWhat a day on the trails. 9:30 departure from the staging area, back at 5pm. We worked our asses off, just to keep people on the trail. Six people, four rigs, 30+ trees cleared. And only one and a half trails cleared.
The plan was to clear Barker Meadow OHV Trail / Hobbit Trail (16E76), then the Red Cabin Trail (16E79) and given time, take 03-04 back to the Rubicon Trail.
Well, any war plan only survives until the first shot.
We drove out to Barker Meadow and turned north, The trail is very wet. If you don’t NEED to travel it, please put it off and give it a chance to dry out.
The Forest Service showed up with their Rubicon Jeep and a couple of helpers. Myles, the sawyer, got quite the workout today.
A big shout out to the Tahoe Donner 4-Wheelers. They had three member show up to help. Sorry, no pictures of the members.
This was one of 30+ trees we cleared from 16E76 and 03-04. The sawyer cleared the snag and then dropped the bad leaner. We only did enough to make sure there was a safe path on the trail. Future groups could clear trees a little further off the trail.
We finally finished clearing Barker Meadow OHV Trail (16E76). We started north on 03-04, hoping to get to 16E79. No luck.
Sadly, further up 03-04, the downed trees continued. Looking at the clock, we turned around and followed 03-04 back to the Rubicon. We cleared trees the whole way. 03-04 will remain closed north of Bear Lake until we can get back out there to clear the trail. That means access to 16E79 is not yet available. The plan is to complete the clearing before the June 1st opening of Blackwood Canyon.
More trees down along 03-04 on our way back to the Rubicon.
The trees never seemed to end!
There were a few snow drifts that gave us a challenge on the way back toward the Rubicon along 03-04. I chose a winch, everyone else muscled through.
No injuries. No breakage. Lots of trees cleared. It was a very fulfilling day getting so much done.
It was a pleasure to work with such a great group of people.
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Rubicon Ronin
The 'Other' Rubicon 