New Rubicon Area OHV Trails Map
Posted: March 18, 2015 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: access, education, ENF, LTBMU, rubicon trail, TNF Leave a commentSo, some time ago, I posted a new map of OHV trails in the area of the Tahoe side of the Rubicon Trail. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about using Photoshop. The old map was 72dpi, the new map was 300dpi. The old map was a cluttered mess. The new map is leaner and cleaner.
I’ve bounced different drafts off a lot of people including those within the Forest Service (FS). Some in the FS were not overwhelmingly in support. Some had concerns over the possible differences between my map and current MVUM provided by the FS.
I’ve gone further to distance this map from the official FS MVUM. The FS MVUM is a legal document used to notify the public as to what trails are open for public use. This new map is not intended for navigation nor is it to be used to determine what trails are currently open. This map displays ALL the OHV trails in the area but does not report which are open and which are closed. All but the Rubicon are seasonally closed. At least one is partially closed due to meadow issues.
It is the users responsibility to know where they are at all times and the status of the trail they are driving. Please visit the forest website and read all forest orders that may apply.
Hot off the presses:
I’ve created a flier from this map to be handed out to users. Here is the front side of the flier with information on the names of trails, seasonal dates for the opening of those trails (which could be changed at any time), ham freqs, agency contact information, etc.
I’ll be handing this map out at the Reno Motorsports Show this Friday and Saturday. The maps will be there Sunday but I have to work. Stop by and pick up a few. I’m still open to comments about what could make this a better map for the users.
The 2015 Cone Zone
Posted: March 15, 2015 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: El Dorado County, Placer, Rubicon Leave a commentYes, the orange blooms are already happening.
Road construction has started in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This is important enough that I may start a direct link to updated information on current construction project that could affect driving to and/or from the world Famous Rubicon Trail.
The website of the week: http://www.tahoeroads.com/
This website has all kinds of information on road construction around Tahoe. The easiest page to understand has pictures. So, rather than me ramble on with too many words, here are two pictures pages that says it all. The link is for the web page of the two images below.
http://www.tahoeroads.com/docs/files/File/TahoeBasinMap2014%20with%20logo.pdf:
The Sierra Sun is also reporting:
- Paving treatment on Highway 267, airport to the summit, May-Oct, 20 minute delays
- Paving treatment on 28, between Tahoe City and 267. Aug-Oct, 10 minute delays
- Bridge replacement on the road to Alpine Meadows at 89, May-Oct
- Highway 80 at the Donner Lake Interchange, May-July
- Highway 80 Boca to Floriston, May-Oct, 20 minute delays
Please check conditions before you travel. Add time to your trip as needed. Watch out for the workers.
Reno Motorsports Show
Posted: March 10, 2015 Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: education Leave a commentMarch 20-22
My plan is to be there with a laptop for people to be able to check out the website, at least on Fri and Sat.
I’ll be handing out the new Tri-MVUM fliers that show the OHV trails around the Tahoe end of the Rubicon Trail at the Hills Angels 4wd Club booth. Stop by and say hi.
Here’s a link to a printable $5 off coupon:
I’ve donated a Pelican 35 quart cooler for the Blue Ribbon Coalition silent auction. Bid away, it all goes to a great cause, keeping our access to public lands!
How to comment on CA State Parks OHV grants
Posted: March 6, 2015 Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: education, grant, LTBMU, Placer Leave a commentGo to the CA State Parks OHV division page
Click on “GRANTS”
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1164
Click on the “Click here to provide public comments”
http://olga.ohv.parks.ca.gov/egrams_ohmvr/user/home.aspx
On the new page, you will see this line:
“To review preliminary applications and to provide public comments, click here”
http://olga.ohv.parks.ca.gov/egrams_ohmvr/user/ReviewProjects.aspx
Click on the three dots (…) between the two blank grey screens to the right of “Agency”;
a smaller screen will appear
Type out the name of the agency you want to comment on
IE: Tahoe, Placer, Eldorado, etc.
Tahoe will get you both the Tahoe National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Mgnt Unit
Placer will get you the Department of public works and the Sheriff’s office
Click “lookup”
You’ll need to click in the yellow box for the grant you’d like to read and comment on
Click on the paperclip to the right of the grant you want to read, or, Click on the small white card with the green cross for the grant you want to comment on
These are comments not votes. Comments need to be thoughtful, stating your approval with reasons or you disapproval with reasons.
Don’t just say you want more money spent on OHV. Be specific: I’d like to see more money spent on OHV signage, specifically at the staging area for the Middle Fork Trail up Blackwood Canyon.
Or: I don’t believe that the funding of this grant is in the best interest of OHV trails and users. The grant sites a restoration of an area nowhere near any current or past OHV trail system.
I believe that you can comment multiple times. So, rather than type out ALL of your issues with a grant, make a single point in each comment.
Remember, every comment will be able to be seen by the general public. Be polite and professional.
Link to posted public comments
Money, Money, Money
Posted: February 13, 2015 Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: grant, OHV State Parks, Placer, TNF Leave a comment
Okay, actually, “Grant, Grant, Grant”, literally, a Tahoe National Forest OHV grant.
Yesterday, the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) held an open house in Nevada City to get input from the users regarding the upcoming OHV grant cycle. My apologies for not posting about this meeting BEFORE the meeting, moving forward, I will make every effort to inform you of upcoming important meetings. The good news is that you still have time to comment on how you would like to see the 2015 grant money spent. (Details at the bottom of this post)
The TNF was very open and welcoming to the users and listened to every comment and suggestion. There were specific tables set-up for each district. Maps were plentiful.
Unfortunately, Placer County has decided NOT to pursue a grant during this cycle. This will be the second straight cycle they have decided not to apply for a group. Last year, Placer County had contractors working on the Rubicon using OHV grant funding. Not all of the identified work was completed and some of the work done was done incorrectly or in the wrong place.
The Tahoe National Forest has been made aware of this and is willing to step up and work some of the areas needing immediate attention.
My focus is the Rubicon Trail and the surrounding OHV trails. My letter to the TNF is posted below. Please remember that the TNF also has to maintain the Fordyce Trail and the trails around Boca and Stampede Reservoirs.
The grant outlines are due in early March. They will be made available to the public to review March 3rd -Apr 6th at http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/
Joe Chavez
JoeTChavez@fs.fed.us
TNF Trails Specialist
February 13, 2015
Joe,
Yesterday afternoon, I attended the TNF open house on OHV grant funding. I want to thank the forest for continuing to be open to and welcoming of ideas from the users. Everyone there was happy to address the concerns brought to their attention.
That being said, here are the suggestions I have for the upcoming grant cycle:
1) Continue to fund the positions held by Jeff Wiley and Susanne Jensen. Without these dedicated and professional individuals, the state of OHV within the TNF would be much worse off.
2) Unfortunately, Placer County has decided not to pursue OHV grant funding at this time. I would like to ask the TNF to survey the work done on and near the Rubicon Trail in order to identify possible immediate needs due to the work, some incomplete, done last summer by Placer County’s contractor, specifically, restoring natural seasonal creek crossings across the Rubicon Trail.
3) Another need that I know has been on your list for a few years, is the needed maintenance on Forest Road 03-04, commonly known as Barker Pass Road. Although I’m told it’s not an ‘OHV trail’, but as a ‘road’ it provides access to OHV trails and a quicker route for the delivery of materials needed to perform maintenance to the areas OHV trails.
As a professional firefighter, I’d like to see the road improved so that fire protection and other emergency personnel can access the area in safe and timely manner, improving the ability to protect and serve the OHV trails and users in the area.
4) The last issue I’d like to bring up is signage in the area of the Rubicon Trail and Forest Road 03-04. Along the Rubicon, side trails like the Richardson Lake Trail (mostly, but not completely in the ENF), Ellis Peak Trail, Barker Meadow OHV Trail and the Long Lake Trail could use specific USFS ‘carsonites’ with FS trail numbering, two of the four have proper signage but not FS numbering.
FYI, the Richardson Lake Trail is being adopted, through the ENF, by a Carson City businessman and his company. It would be great if the TNF allowed him to post a sign at the start of the Richardson Lake Trail, on the TNF, in order to better educate the users of that trail and other trails in the area. (I’ll get in touch with Susanne Jensen with this request once she returns to her seasonal position in April.)
The intersection of Forest Road 03-04 and the Rubicon Trail needs the sign replaced. I think it finally has disappeared altogether after many years of being pushed over and or thrown in to the forest. The sign provided directions and distances to Blackwood Canyon and the Tahoma staging area.
Along Forest Road 03-04 and just after the Rubicon Trail, a “No Outlet – Nov 1st thru May 31st” sign is needed. As more and more users recreate on the Rubicon Trail in the winter, I think it’s only a matter of time that a winter user tries to ‘exit’ the area using Forest Road 03-04, only to find not one but three gates before getting to Highway 89. The 03-04 road itself needs FS numbering as well, as it’s not really clear to a new user which way the Rubicon turns.
Further along Forest Road 03-04 there are many, many side trails. Although lower on my personal wish list, these side trails should be numbered to better let users know where they are as they drive 03-04 or if they are looking for a specific side trail.
Again, I would like to thank the TNF for the opportunity to voice my opinion regarding the upcoming OHV grant cycle. I look forward to another successful OHV season working with the TNF.
Doug Barr
www.TheOtherRubicon.com
Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s
North Tahoe Trail Dusters
Comments are being accepted through February 23, 2015.
Please send your thought to Joe Chavez. JoeTChavez@fs.fed.us
The 'Other' Rubicon 