Current Conditions 2-16-18
Posted: February 16, 2018 Filed under: Access | Tags: snow, weather, winter Leave a commentSo 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The unusual poser shot at Observation (looking the wrong way).
And the traditional poser shot at Observation, with the sun behind them washing out the shot.
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
Posted: February 11, 2018 Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: education, grant, law enforcement, TNF Leave a commentThe 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
OHV grants available to clubs
Posted: January 20, 2018 Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: education, grant Leave a commentExtreme Terrain has a program for helping clubs with projects on their local trails. They call it the “Clean Trail Grant Program”. They will award up to $250 to a club doing trail maintenance on a public trail. There are very few requirements and the grant application is (pardon the pun) extremely short and simple to fill out.
Along with awarding grants to clubs, Extreme Terrain has donated to the Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s raffle that we hold every year at our annual Poker Run. Here’s a link to our Poker Run if you haven’t signed up yet:
https://www.laketahoehilos.com/gamblers-poker-run-registrati
This summer, I’m hoping to use this grant program for local trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin area. The Hi-Lo’s will go through the process and I’ll report back on how smooth it works out.
If you’d like more information on the “Clean Trail Grant Program” click the link below and go to the Community Support section and click on the “Clean Trails” photo.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/clean-trail-initiative-program.html
It’s free funding for the projects you’re already planning to go out and do. Why not let Extreme Terrain help with the funding?
Rubicon Ronin
ENF Open House for grant input
Posted: January 18, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentThe Eldorado National Forest has posted the date for its open house to discuss OHV grants for the 2018 season.
February 6th from 4-7pm @ 100 Forni Road, Placerville.
This is a good opportunity for the users to give the forest service input as to how we want our OHV funds spent.
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Ice, Ice, Ice!
Posted: January 1, 2018 Filed under: Access | Tags: snow, winter Leave a comment1-1-18
No pictures but I just got word about the Tahoe end of the trail. That word is ICE.
The paved road to the staging area is not too steep but in the few places where it has slope, it’s icy. If you make it to the staging area, considerate it an accomplishment.
Just past the staging area is the first good slope of the trail. The report is it’s all ice. You might start the climb but before you reach the top, you will lose traction and then experience an “Oh Shit” moment as you slide backwards, out of control.
John Briggs of FOTR was there the other day and witnessed a few people try and fail on the climb. Luckily, the sliding rigs came to a safe stop without injury or damage.
Those dedicated to getting up it will surely make it, with a few winch evolutions.
Weather is predicted for the coming weekend. It might add the snow needed for traction or it might just hide the ice underneath. Be cautious.
It has been a slow start to our winter. Only 30% so far. This might make the Rubicon accessible to more people, except for the ice. But please remember the side roads are now all closed for the season. The ENF was last with a Jan 1st closure date.
Please go prepared, with others, a ham radio and drive safe. Let someone know where you are gong and when you plan on returning.
Happy Wheeling!
Rubicon Ronin
The 'Other' Rubicon 