Ellis Lake Trail

So, it officially starts as the Ellis Peak Trail (03-04012-05), that’s the right turn past Miller Lake, the range fence and just after the “pond”. There is one dead-end trail that is not marked and not yet blocked, stay left. When you get to a four-way intersection, that should be better marked by Aug 5th, go straight (16E18) don’t turn right.

This route will take you to Ellis Lake.

I was there mid-July and there was still a snow drift or two.

This is a perfect camp for someone who wants to sleep in. The towering ridge to the east, that includes Ellis Peak, shelters you from the morning sun.

I have no idea if there are fish but it would be a great float late in the afternoon. I’ve heard there might be a bug issue in the area too early in the season.

A very short walk provides a view of Blackwood Canyon.

West towards Barker Pass:

Further east towards the entrance of the canyon at the Kaspian Camp ground:

Here’s a view of Ellis Lake from Ellis Peak. Note the severe drop off on what would be the north west corner of the lake.

And a view of Buck Lake and the south end of Lake Tahoe from Ellis Peak.

If you or your club, group business or whatever would like to “Adopt” this trail and campsite, please let me know.

This is just one of many examples of what is out there in the Rubicon Trail area. Get out there and find enjoy it all.

“Turn Around, Don’t Go Around”

Forest Road 03-06-02

So I bought a dual sport. A 2009 Kawasaki KLX250s. Well, this past Saturday I finally got some decent time on it. Earlier, I took the bike up the Rubicon but didn’t get too far. This time it was two and a half hours. I went out exploring the OHV trails around the Barker Pass area.

This writing is specifically about forest road 03-06-02. It is the trail that  ventures the furthest west past Barker Pass. At one time, this trail looped around to the south and hooked up with forest road 03. Then came the Granite Chief Wilderness area.

But it almost makes it better for camping because nobody goes out there!

The drive/ride along forest road 03 to get to 03-06 and then 03-06-02 gives you some great views of the valley that runs from Rubicon Springs to the Hell Hole reservoir. That’s the valley of the Long Lake Trail, 16E12, another trail to check out.

There are a few trees down towards the end of the trail. This is only the first.

A short hike down the trail, past the first tree blocking the trail, which I am sure if far from the end of the trail, you get a glimpse of Hell Hole Reservoir through the trees.

With a 50 yard hike from the trail you get some great views of Hell Hole. You might not be able to tell but you can see evidence of the King fire on the far bank of the lake.

Further down the trail there are more trees.

This is where I think the trail officially ends. It is not pictured well but there is an unnatural dirt berm attempting to block the trail.

Past the official end of the trail there are still more trees blocking the trail.

We’ll see if I can work with the Tahoe National Forest and get an accurate GPS of the end of the trail and then clear any trees blocking access to the true end of the trail.

I suggest that you get out and explore sections of our public lands you haven’t seen before. Here’s a hint, look for the trails that dead end far away from other trails.