Rubicon Trailhead Conditions, Tahoma 2/17/23
Posted: February 17, 2023 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: snow, snowwall, winter Leave a commentI did a quick drive by of the Tahoma trailhead today.
No evidence that a wheeled vehicle has been up the trail for some time. But maybe a few snowmobiles.
Surprisingly, the trailhead does not have the typical dip, so the wall is about the same height all the way across.
Once on the trail, there may have been wheeled vehicles on the trail.
The trail is as wide as a vehicle. The surface seems hard from melting and refreezing but I’m not sure it will support a 4000 pound rig.
The trail did look inviting but I was in my truck after skiing.
Right now, the roads are clear and the walls are steep.
Don’t go alone. And there are a few storms coming in next week.
Enjoy.
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Rubicon Ronin
NEVER GO OUT ON THE RUBICON ALONE!
Posted: December 26, 2022 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: snow, stuck, winter Leave a commentHow many times do we need to say it?
I needed to get out of town and so I took a drive up to the lake. Of course, I swung by the Rubicon trailhead.
Please note: I did not go out on the trail alone.
The trailhead was clear with no berm or evidence that the locals had tried to block wheeled access.
The work we all did has allowed a good deal of people to access the trail. Awesome!
There was that one guy. The guy who went alone. The guy who got stuck.
If you know the Tahoe side, he didn’t get far. And it looks like many people went around him.
He did try all the old tricks: dig out the tires, wood under the tires, floor mats under the tires, etc.
Maybe we need more aggressive signage to prevent people from being stupid.
There’s a wet storm coming soon. Maybe the snow will firm up after the storm, after it all freezes again. There is a slight off camber pitch to the trial at the trailhead. Although the trail is flat, the way the rotary plow threw the snow, the left side is higher than the right side on your way in. No idea how far people have gone in. I wasn’t going to walk it.
If you go out to play, be prepared to spend the night. Bring everything: a second vehicle, friends, winch, shovel, tow straps, recovery gear, food, shelter, clothing, water, sleeping bags, tent, ETC! You cannot be OVER prepared for winter on the Rubicon.
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Rubicon Ronin
ENF Closes Trails Early
Posted: December 2, 2022 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: closure, rain, winter Leave a comment U.S. Forest Service Eldorado National Forest 100 Forni Road Placerville, CA 95667 530-622-5061 www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado  News Release For Immediate Release December 2, 2022 Media Contact: Jennifer Chapman, jennifer.chapman@usda.gov www.facebook.com/EldoradoNF Twitter:@EldoradoNF Seasonal dirt road and trail closure begins December 1 on the Eldorado National Forest PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Due to the amount of rain and snow received, the annual seasonal dirt road and trail closure for motorized vehicles went into effect December 1, 2022 on the Eldorado National Forest. The seasonal closure is designed to protect roadbeds and watersheds from damage and to protect water quality. A minimum three month closure period from January 1 through March 31 was designated in the Eldorado National Forest Travel Management Plan for the core part of the winter. To maintain flexibility, the timing of the seasonal closure is determined based on current conditions each year which may cause the closure to go into effect early or be extended. This year, storms saturated the soils in November with rain and melting snow making dirt roads and trails susceptible to rutting and erosion. Regardless of when the closure is in effect, visitors should always use good judgement about whether motor vehicle use will cause resource damage. The roads and trails subject to the seasonal closure are identified on the forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) which are available free of charge and can also be found on the forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/eldorado/maps-pubs . The seasonal closure does not affect routes in the Rock Creek Area of the Eldorado National Forest near Georgetown, which has its own route closure process. For more information on recreation opportunities and current conditions in the Eldorado National Forest, visit the forest website or contact a Visitor Information Specialist Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: · Forest Supervisor’s Office: 530-303-2412 · Amador Ranger District: 209-259-3774 · Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts: 530-644-2324 · Georgetown Ranger District: 530-333-4312 ### The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. |
This early closure would only include the Sourdough Hill Trail on the Tahoe side and all other trails in the ENF.
For the record, the LTBMU closes their trails Nov 15th.
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Rubicon Ronin
Still a lot of deep snow!
Posted: April 30, 2022 Filed under: Travel | Tags: snow, spring, winter Leave a commentA 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
Winter Travel Conditions
Posted: April 21, 2022 Filed under: Travel | Tags: snow, winter Leave a commentWell, some of us might have been considering an early spring trip to the Rubicon Trail, but after the current storms roll through, some of us are reconsidering that option.
The series of storms going across the Sierra right now will leave several feet of snow. Heavy snow. Great for the water content but not so good for snow wheeling.
Access is easy. The snow wall is gone. This was taken Tuesday the 19th:
The neighborhood showed signs of the recent storm but it was melting fast. As I type, more snow is falling in Tahoma and over the Sierra.
The weather gets better this weekend. I’m sure we’re all tempted to go. If you go, be prepared!
Winter/snow wheeling should be approached with extreme caution. Prepare as if you will have to spend the night: food, water, shelter, clothing, etc.
Vehivle recovery is much more difficult during the winter. Bring extra winch cable, snatch blocks, chains (vehicle & tow), chainsaw for possible trees down across the trail, etc.
There are no tow/recovery services on the Rubicon. The Sheriff might rescue you, but they will not even attempt to recover your rig.
Be safe. Be smart!
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Rubicon Ronin
The 'Other' Rubicon 