Trail Clearing – Part II

Posted: May 31, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Sadly, there will be a part III.

A huge shout out to the Tahoe Donner 4-Wheel Drive Club. We had seven members out today, in six rigs. We were on the trail from 9:15 until 5:30! Most was work but we did take the fun way home.

The start of a great day.

We headed up the Rubicon to Forest Road 03-04. We started in where we left off last week. Someone had moved that first tree but not well enough. We had many trees still down on 03-04 to clear. We were the first to drive most of that road.

When we got to 16E79, the first downed trees were right at the turn.

Just a short way in, we had more. Cutting and winching was the plan of the day. If they broke when they fell, we skipped the cutting and just dragged them to the side.

A ways up the trail, we came across a rather large snow drift. Due to the side hill, we turned around and went back to 03-04. We took that all the way to Barker Pass. 16E79 was doable, with winch work, but not worth the effort to get six rigs across. Next time.

Back on 03-04 and then on to Forest Road 03.

I almost left this one to get the dust off top of the rigs, but I was out voted.

Looking further down Forest Road 03, to the west, there are still trees down. Even along the trails we had already cleared, more three had fallen, some were cleared some we had to clear. Always be ready for anything.

Once to the summit of Barker Pass, we took a well-deserved break. Unfortunately, the drive home was back down 03-04. When we got to the Hobbit Trail (16E76) we took it for the fun ride down to the Rubicon. What you need to know is that I had brought my trailer to have better access to the gear for doing the trail clearing. It was a bit of a challenge doing the Hobbit Trail with a trailer. Not my first time, not my last.

The Middle Fork Trail (15N38) should open tomorrow (Monday) morning! There will probably be snow in the north aspect shadows. The paved road to Barker Pass doesn’t open until June 15th.

Again, 16E79 is doable but be prepared for trees and snow. Turn Around, Don’t Go Around. )3-04 is clear until the next tree falls.

With any luck, I’ll be out again this week to finish clearing 16E79 and to check that 15N38 is open and passable.

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Rubicon Ronin