Clearing Trees, Finding Snow
Posted: June 16, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: closed, gate, gates, snow, trees Leave a commentToday was supposed to be my annual spring tree clearing trip for the side trails along the Rubicon Trail.
When I got to the bottom of the Middle Fork Trail, I found the gate still locked. It was supposed to be unlocked on June 1st. The gate on the paved road to the top of Barker Pass was also locked. It was supposed to be unlocked on June 15th.
I’ve already sent an email to the Forest Service complaining.
So, not able to clear 15N38, 16E79 and 16E76, I headed for the Rubicon. I went up the Sourdough Trail and cleared eight trees from the trail. I was the first 4-wheeled vehicle to the top this year. But it looked like a pair of motorcycles had already made the journey.
Work smarter, not harder. Fewer chainsaw cuts and more winching.
My reward for clearing that first tree was three down in the same area, right around the corner.
With time on my hands, I tried my luck up the Ellis Lake/Peak Trail. It is quite narrow these days. I was able to get to the area with the open meadow.
This one/group was on the Ellis Peak/Lake Trail. I left it as it was quite large and the go around was not crazy off trail.
Further up the Ellis Trail the snow became more than I was willing to take on. I had already busted through a few drifts and winched over one.
The trail is under all that snow as it goes into the trees! Think side hill on slippery snow, sliding into the trees. No thanks.
I also popped up the Buck Lake Trail but only to the lake, not above. Maybe next week I’n try again, but the FS needs to open a few gates.
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Rubicon Ronin
Seasonal Trail Closures
Posted: November 7, 2023 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: closures, gates, winter Leave a commentAs many are now reporting, the USFS has started closing gates for the winter. This happens every year.
The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is the first to close Rubicon area trails, by closing Forest Road 03 in Blackwood Canyon, June 15th – November 5th. This is the paved road to the summit of Barker Pass. The (second) lower gate is just past the river crossing before you head up the hill. There is a gate at the top that should also be closed. It reopens June 15th, depending on road conditions, typically, it’s a late opening due to snow.
I should mention that the Forest Service does not have the best record for closing the gates on BOTH ends of a trail. Just because a gate might be open at the top, do not expect the gate at the bottom to be open if it’s past the closure date.
Other LTBMU trails around the Rubicon SHOULD be open through November 15th: Noonchester Mine Road (14N34A), Buck Lake Trail (14N40) no upper gate, Ellis Peak (14N40B), Middle Fork Trail (15N38).
Forest Road 03 should close on November 16th but is typically left open to the river late, so people can collect Christmas trees, FS permit required. Forest Road 03 will close to wheeled vehicles for the winter, but is a ‘Winter Sno Park’ area for snowmobiles. A parking permit is required to park at the Kaspian Campground parking lot.
Many roads around the Rubicon are open until January 1st: Forest Road 03-04, Upper Barker Meadow (16E79), Lower Barker Meadow (16E76), Long Lake Trail (16E12), Ellis Lake Trail (16E18), Richardson Lake Trail (14N39).
It is the user’s responsibility to know the closure dates and to know where you are at all times.
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Rubicon Ronin
The 'Other' Rubicon 