Water Bar Markers
Posted: December 7, 2013 Filed under: Maintenance | Tags: LTBMU, Placer, Rubicon Leave a commentTechnically, they are rolling dips not water bars but for years we’ve referred to them as water bars (WBs). They were installed in 2001 and every year we do maintenance on these WBs, some getting more attention than others. In order to properly document our work or communicate which WB needs work, we needed to number them. They were numbered at one point but with weather and some vandalism, there were more unmarked than marked.
Last week, John Briggs of the North Tahoe Trails Dusters, placed new markers on almost every WB. The Rubicon Trail Foundation provided the materials and John welded them up.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a camera with him when he was installing them. So, I’ll get pictures next spring of one or two of these actually placed, after the snow melts.
14N39
Posted: December 6, 2013 Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: El Dorado County, ENF, Richardson Lake Leave a commentFor some time, there has been a fight going on over 42 trails within the Eldorado National Forest (ENF). Right now, 24 of those trails have been opened. The remaining 18 trails need some kind of fix, from simply putting down gravel to rerouting a ½ mile of trail.
One of these trails is the Richardson Lake Trail, 14N39. The Richardson Lake Trail turns south off the Rubicon Trail just west of Miller Lake. It runs past the Sierra Club’s Ludlow Hut on the way to the summit of Sourdough Peak.
The trail does not offer much challenge to OHV users but provides an awesome view from the top. At the top, looking west, you look down on Desolation Wilderness, Loon Lake and the Rubicon Trail. The summit offers some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen.
Although the ENF has been slow to work with the users to form and implement a plan to repair the four ‘meadow’ issues on the trail, they have closed the trail. The following signs now grace the Richardson Lake Trail just south of Miller Creek.
I am currently trying to work with the ENF to get a plan developed this winter, so we can hit the trail early next spring to repair and re-open the trail. Getting access to Richardson Lake should be straight forward. Use of the trail for the next mile or so is also doable. But user access to the summit might require a reroute and lots of NEPA, EIS and other studies.
Stay tuned.
Welcome!
Posted: December 5, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentA new blog…
The purpose of this blog is to keep the users and supporters of the world famous Rubicon Trail informed about what’s going on regarding the Tahoe end of the trail. I don’t mean to minimalize the Georgetown end of the trail but it gets plenty of press and the Tahoe side is frequently treated like the red headed step child or the other trail.
This blog will serve as a reference for side trails, government actions, general knowledge, maintenance efforts and current conditions.
Please explore the links and articles. Feedback and questions are encouraged. You can reach me at TheOtherRubicon@Charter.net.
Stay tuned and stay informed,
Doug Barr – “Turn around, don’t go around”
The 'Other' Rubicon 