Rubicon Trail Conditions
Spring
Winter run off is a great concern along the
Rubicon. A motto we have heard is “Make dust not
mud”. If you can put off your trip until the trail
dries, please do so. This is the time of year that
erosion damage can be done to the trail. Stay on the
trail. If you can’t make the obstacle (water or
granite) “Turn around, don’t go around!” Tread
Lightly! The bugs come out as the snow melt slows.
Bring bug spray!
Fire Restrictions
The Rubicon Trail travels through the Eldorado and Tahoe
National Forests, and is often under fire
restrictions, even if the trail and it's
surroundings seem wet. Users must be responsible for
knowing whether fire restrictions are in force. Use
the links below and watch for fire condition signs
that should be posted at every major Forest entry
road.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/conditions/fire-restrictions
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/currentconditions/fire_restrictions.shtml
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/conditions/restrictions.shtml
Regardless of fire restrictions, permits are
required for any type of open flame. They are
free and available at any Forest Service office or
from any Forest Service official. Please use
fire responsibly. Please use fire responsibly.
Weather Links
http://www.onthesnow.com/california/homewood-mountain-resort/skireport.html
This is a
link to the weather and snow report for Homewood
Mountain Resort, the closest ski area to the Rubicon
on the Tahoe side.
http://www.onthesnow.com/california/sierra-at-tahoe/skireport.html
This is a
link to Sierra at Tahoe the closest ski area to Loon
Lake.
http://www.tahoebest.com/weather/
A general
Tahoe weather link
http://tahoetopia.com/
This
provides a clear picture of what's happening at
Tahoe. Webcams. They're not always
operational but when they are, a picture is worth a
thousand words.
Winter
Only the most prepared and built rigs should
attempt winter travel on the Rubicon. With the wrong
part breaking, you could be in the snow for days.
The walk out could be 10-15 miles. Let people know
when you’re going and when you’ll be back. The ham
repeater is now year round but it is not a reason to
go in unprepared. You could be held responsible for
the cost of your rescue.
Summer
As the snow melt dries the fire danger
increases. Please check this site and the Forest
Service site for updates. The trail is quite crowded
on the weekends. Please show some patience when slow
downs occur.
Fall
This time of year storms can move in fast. Be
prepared for all types of weather. Fire restrictions
could still be in place.
BE PREPARED! Have a ham radio. Always
pack for several days on the trail even if you are
only planning on an afternoon run. Food and
water. A change of clothes. A second (or
third) pair of shoes. Check out the weather
links below.
Restrictions
Fire Restrictions
Typically in place by July:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/conditions/fire-restrictions
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/currentconditions/fire_restrictions.shtml
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/fire/restrictions.shtml
The Angora fire was a snap shot of what could
happen along the Rubicon Trail. Ice House Road has
experienced fires before and we don’t want to see it
happen again. As I type this, there is a fire
burning near Blue Lakes and the Deer Valley Trail.
Please respect the fire restrictions and spend
the night without a fire.
Fire restrictions are usually removed after a
good rain or two have wet the forests.
Driving Restrictions
Eldorado Forest Roads are closed to winter use
January through March. The Rubicon Trail and the
Ellis Creek Trail are El Dorado County roads and
area not affected by Forest Service closures.
The road across the two dams at Loon Lake are
open to winter motorized recreation. The
voluntary use of Wentworth Springs only during the
winter is no longer in effect.
Make sure you have a current map!
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/maps/index.shtml
Route Designation has been completed on the Eldorado
National Forest and the recognized routes are the
only trails you can legally drive. There are large
fines for driving off trail; the fine goes up if you
have caused resource damage.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/projects_plans/ohv_inv/index.shtml#current_status
The Tahoe National Forest is in the middle of Route
Designation. Please contact them directly if you
have any questions.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/maps/index.shtml
The Lake Tahoe Management Unit has completed an
inventory of all legal OHV routes within the basin.
They did this some time ago and have posted the
route at the above link.
We at RTF fully support the enforcement of the
driving off the trail and resource damage laws. |
