Snow, Maps, Paving & Kiosk
Posted: March 24, 2018 Filed under: Access, Maintenance, Travel | Tags: education Leave a comment
On Friday, March 23rd, the FOTR Tahoe side lead (John Briggs) and I had two Rubicon meetings with local government agencies.
The first was meeting Placer County at the trailhead to discuss the snow being piled at the entrance. (The lead photograph)
When we got there, Lindsay from the county was already there. Looking around the area, it was obvious that there was more snow at the entrance than elsewhere in the neighborhood. Lindsay explained that she had talked with the plowing supervisor and that this was ‘normal’ for a “T” intersection as there was extra snow that needed to me removed from the intersection.
After some discussion, I pointed out that this was not a “T” intersection but rather a “4-way” intersection. We agreed that what needed to happen was to move the pile 40 feet to the left. It would take no extra time or effort but would prevent piling snow on the Rubicon Trail.
Now to be clear, the county will not be plowing the Rubicon Trail nor will they be removing the berm but hopefully, if the plow supervisor agrees, the pile (in the future) will be placed further left and if someone wants to play on the Rubicon, they will just have the ‘natural’ or ‘normal’ berm to deal with.
In addition, we discussed putting in two very tall snow stakes documenting the entrance so the plow drivers know where not to dump.
The snow had a very hard top layer after having rained several inches, then below freezing temperatures.
The second was meeting Mike Gabor of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) to talk about the new map they are developing and the new kiosk for the staging area, among other things.
This is a draft of the map under construction:
The new kiosk will have a 4’x8′ center panel for nothing but the new map. A 4’x4′ side panel on each side will hold additional material. It will be made out of mostly metal for longevity, not wood, and should last a very long time. If all goes according to plan (remember this is a government agency we’re dealing with), it could be up by the 4th of July.
THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL KIOSK GOING IN. I JUST PULLED THE IMAGE OFF THE INTERNET TO GIVE VIEWERS AN IDEA OF WHAT COULD BE BUILT. THE ACTUAL KIOSK WILL HAVE MOSTLY METAL CONSTRUCTION.
There is an approved grant that will allow the LTBMU to pave the staging area. Before this happens, the Basin will be reaching out to the users for input on how to mark parking spots (size, spacing, direction), how to improve (harden) the border, how to best protect the trees within the staging area, signage, how to design an actual “staging area” for rigs coming off the trail or preparing to go out on the trail, etc. Figure the planning, design, layout, engineering and such will happen in 2018 and the actual paving will happen in 2019.
Rubicon Ronin
2018 Reno Motorsports Show
Posted: March 20, 2018 Filed under: Access | Tags: education Leave a commentSo, last weekend was the Reno Motorsports Show. It also held the boat show, home show and pet show. All for just $5!
I had my regular booth set up to discuss the Rubicon and all the local 4wd clubs. The map on the left of the display will be the new map for the kiosk at the Tahoe side staging area.
I had information on the Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s, North Tahoe Trail Dusters, the Tahoe Donner 4 Wheelers and others. As well as information on state and national pro-OHV groups: Blue Ribbon Coalition, CA Off Road Vehicle Association, CA 4wd Association, the NV 4wd Association and others.
Some of the local clubs came out including the Hills Angels (of Reno) and the Sierra Stompers (of the Minden/Gardnerville area). The Nevada 4wd Association has there booth under the blue tent in the background.
Al Lockett, the show producer, brought out his own rig to show to the crowds.
Jeepers Jamboree was there and had a great interactive display to promote their Camp Rubicon events for kids. The bridges and bar were very accurately reproduced. I was told this is just part of the full recreation of main camp at Rubicon Springs.
Attendance was down on Friday due to the weather but Saturday and Sunday had good crowds. The vendors were about the same as last year, which had grown over the last few years.
Hope to see you out there next year as a attendee or a vendor!
Rubicon Ronin
Major snow dump in the Sierras
Posted: March 5, 2018 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: education, snow, STORM, weather Leave a commentWe just got through a series of major storms. Honestly, the biggest of the season. The summits got more than six feet of snow. The Homewood Mountain Resort claims about five feet over the last the last week. That means the Rubicon is buried.
So, I drove past Monday (March 5th) and took a few pictures of the entrance. I was up there just before the storms and took some to compare:
Last Monday the 26th: really no berm to speak of…
Again, this was before the storm just 100 yards up the trail:
After the latest storms: now the neighborhood probably got two feet of snow but notice the snow is piled higher than my six foot tall truck.
Compare that to berms around the neighborhood, maybe three feet tall. I have already sent an email to Placer County letting them know this is unacceptable (dumping snow on a county right of way) and that although the County probably didn’t do it, they need to remove it as they would a load of rock dropped on any county road. Don’t hold your breath.
Looking over the berm, where no motor vehicle has driven, yet; it looks like a good place for a fun day of snow play.
The berm will need to be taken down. Right now you could get a quad or snowmobile through the slot but not much else.
Let me get on my safety soap box…
I can’t say it enough but travel prepared. Figure something will go wrong and you have to spend the night, or two. Have food, water, clothing and shelter for multiple people and many nights.
Believe it or not, some people still don’t get it.
(Photo stolen from a post on Pirate4x4 by “The Fixxer”.)
This rig has been stuck on the trail for a few weeks now. It’s just east of Miller Lake at the water hole. There was room to go around but not much. Now think about this with 4-5 feet of snow burying it.
You might be wheeling along just fine and not realize the rig is underneath you. Honestly, it’s probably still visible but there is a greater chance of sliding in to it if you try and go around.
Some fellow Hi-Lo’s are reaching out to the authorities and the owner to see if we can help get the rig out or at least off to the side for the safe passage of others.
I’ll keep you posted.
Rubicon Ronin
Reno ’18 Motorsports Show and Fun Run
Posted: February 21, 2018 Filed under: Access | Tags: education Leave a commentI spoke with Al Lockett at last night’s Hills Angels meeting. He’s announced the Fun Runs that will accompany the Motorsports Show for 2018.
First the Motorsports show. It’s March 16, 17 & 18 at the Reno Convention Center. I will have a booth there again this year along with a bunch of local 4wd clubs.
This will be the 10th annual Motorsports Show that happens along with the Home Show, Boat Show and Pet Show. So, there will be something for everyone in the family.
The local clubs always have a great display of their rigs
The Fun Runs will benefit the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC). There are three runs scheduled. All will meet in the Dayton area on Saturday March 10th, a week before the Motorsports show. The “Wild” run is the Hackett Trail. They estimate it will take ten to twelve hours to complete. If there is any fresh snow, that run will be cancelled.
I’ drawing a blank on the middle run but I think it will be the Eldorado trail. Always a fun trail anytime of year.
The “Mild” run is scheduled to be dirt backroads from Dayton up to Virginia City for lunch and back again.
All runs depart from “Our Park” at Highway 50 and River Street in Dayton, NV. Staging is at 9am and they depart at 9:30am.
Here’s a link to the Fun Run page on Facebook. More on the Motorsport show on other Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/events/226816844557203/
Come out and say hi.
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
The 'Other' Rubicon 