Comments and Questions

Occasionally, I get a question about the Tahoe side of the Rubicon Trail. I’m happy to answer any questions that I can but the trouble is how to answer. I don’t mean the actual answer, I mean how do I get back to the individual who asked.

The email for the website is: TheOtherRubicon@Charter.net

If you email me, I can email back. If you leave a question using the comment button, I can’t really get back to you. If it’s something I think the OHV community will benefit from, I’ll make a whole new post answering the question.

The latest question/comment was about the level of difficulty of the side trails. Across the board, the side trails are going to be easier. The Hobbit Trail (Barker Meadow OHV Trail 16E76) is easier than Cadillac Hill because it doesn’t have the boulders to crawl over. But it’s challenging because it’s narrow and runs between trees and is NEVER straight. I took me years to finally run that trail without finding reverse. I felt that was a huge accomplishment. And on that run, I was pulling a trailer.

The only other real challenge on a side trail would be going up the Buck Lake Trail (14N40). The first section off the Rubicon to Buck Lake is pretty basic but keeps your attention. Just above the turn to the lake is a very steep, rocky climb. I suggest trying it going downhill first from Ellis Peak or Ellis Lake. Once you’re aware of the challenge, try it going up hill. This section has been such a problem for wheelers there is an anchor above that section if you need a little help getting up it.

As always, the picture doesn’t do the obstacle justice. It’s very short but tricky. Did I mention the steep drop off if you roll backwards too far?

A lot of the other comments I get are about certain trails being open. Check the opening dates on the Forest Service MVUMs. Most trails don’t have gates, so they open with the opening date. Unfortunately, gates have historically not opened on time. I try and keep people informed if that is the case.

Remember, the different forests can issue a later opening date for “natural surface roads” as The Eldorado did this summer. Again, I try and keep you informed. It is the users’ responsibility to know if trails are open or not.

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Rubicon Ronin