Groundhog Day on the Rubicon

Posted: March 11, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

As I said in my last post, not much has changed. Looks like I had a weird filter on the phone when I took this but there was 7-8 feet of snow at the Tahoma entrance. The notch is almost gone. The snow is stupid wet. Maybe after a few dozen thaw freeze cycles we might be on the trail. But there are not a bunch of freezing cold days forecast.

The roads along the west shore were still unplowed. More snow on the way and it’s going to even wetter. Don’t travel unless you have to. This weather pattern is going to be with us for another four days.

For the record, I was at my cabin, on the roof, in the rain, shoveling…

After clearing a path on the deck to get the ladder in place, I started in on the roof. There will be a round two on Monday to remove more snow. We’re expecting more than a foot by Monday. The worry is the added weight from the rain we’re getting. The snow just soaks it up.

Be patient. The trail will always be there. Summer will happen. We will get on the trail.

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Rubicon Ronin

Still a lot of deep snow!

Posted: April 30, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Travel | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

A small group of dedicated wheelers headed out on the Tahoe side of the Rubicon on the 28th of April. They encountered a lot more deep snow than they expected.

This is probably just before where the Rubicon crosses the Pacific Crest Trail, lots of tall trees shading the trail, preventing the snow from melting.

As in my last post, if you go out, be prepared for anything and everything. Bring food, drink, shelter, extra clothing, extra recovery gear, ham radio, winter boots, etc.

I’m sure the snow will be melting fast but right now, even in the open sun the snow is still deep.

My guess for this location is before Observation? But I’m really not sure. Please note the amount of snow still out there. The vehicle track just above the rear view mirror tells you it’s still deep.

Personally, I’m going to wait a while for more snow to melt. I enjoy snow wheeling but don’t need to make it a multi-day slug fest. I’ll enjoy a snow run when the snow is more just a long drift here and there and the daytime temperatures are warmer.

Please always Tread Lightly! Stay on the trail, “Turn Around, Don’t Go Around.”

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Rubicon Ronin

Tahoe Side Update…

Posted: April 29, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

A member of the Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s ventured out to the Tahoma staging area yesterday (4-28-2020) .

The report is that there are some VERY deep ruts just to get to the staging area. He said he was dragging his diffs and he runs 40″ tires!

For now we should be staying home and staying healthy. But I get that some us us are getting stir crazy. If you go, be safe. Social distance as best as possible but don’t go alone.

Since there is still snow out there, load up the rig as if you’re going to spend the night: food, water, proper clothing, tent, sleeping bags, light. Make sure you ham radio is up and running.

What you don’t have a ham radio and license? Well, get them! Cell phone don’t have very good coverage, if any, on the trail.

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Rubicon Ronin

Snow, snow, snow

Posted: June 26, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Okay, I got out on the Rubicon yesterday (6.25.19) as opposed to the Buck Lake Trail the day before that had tree issues.

We got as far as the pond at the Ellis Peak Trail and turned around at the intersection.

Below is the view looking further down the Rubicon. Snow! Lots of side hill action. That’s why we turned around.

This is the view up the Ellis Peak Trail. Nobody’s been there yet.

After the turn around, we poked up the Richardson Lake trail thinking we’d go to the top for the view from Sourdough. Nope! Again, crazy side hill right before the cabin. The pond on the right is a somewhat deep sediment trap.

If you go, be prepared to dig and saw. Snow everywhere, trees still across the trail.

Stay on the trail. If you are not prepared to deal with what is on the trail, Turn Around, Don’t Go Around!

Rubicon Ronin

Spring Conditions out there!

Posted: June 25, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Access, Maintenance | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Just did a quick run up the Buck Lake Trail. It’s the first right turn out of the staging area.

It still needs a lot of trimming…

Some of the trees were soft enough to drive through…

Others, not so much…

Now, I did have a saw with me but a hand saw for getting out, not a chain saw for clearing trails.

Bottom line, be prepared for late winter or early spring conditions. Bring a saw and shovel. There is still a lot of snow on the trail. I’ve heard of five foot drops.

Headed out today to get a better idea of what’s going on further up the Rubicon.

Turn Around, Don’t Go Around.

Rubicon Ronin

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