Rubicon Re-Route Issues
Posted: March 19, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: FOTR, reroute, RTF Leave a commentThe Rubicon trail Foundation (RTF) just put out a pretty good video answering a lot of questions about the Rubicon Trail reroute. I was very happy about the video…until the last two minutes.
Let me start by challenging the title of the post, something about rerouting the last 7/10ths of the Rubicon Trail. From the Tahoma staging area, you’ll need to drive about five or six miles to get to the “reroute”. With the entire trail running about 22-miles, I’m thinking that reroute is more in the middle of the trail. Remember, FOTR, the R stands for Rubicon, was established to fix and keep open the section of trail within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). That’s from the residential area to just before Miller Lake: the old car wash, staging area, 28-rolling dips, etc. You’ll need to drive another two or three miles to get to the reroute. It’s not at the “end” of the trail.
Construction is scheduled to begin around mid-August and be completed around mid-September. There’s a lot of information about how RTF got involved, who’s doing the work and how that contractor was picked. I’m good with all of that and RTF made it very clear and transparent about what’s going on. Well worth watching.
The kicker came right after the great news that the Forest Service (FS) will not be formally abandoning the original route. The formal abandonment is a long, costly, legal nightmare that could get the FS sued. So, yea, not abandoning. But the plan is to block both ends of the original that is being bypassed. I took that as eliminating any future use of the original route, even though it is not formally closed. Not cool.
Here’s a question, will the original route still be printed on the Tahoe National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map?
If it is, I’m driving it. If it’s not, maybe we should go after the TNF for denying us of the use of our public lands, without due process.
Link to RTF Facebook page with the latest video
The Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) annual meeting is this Saturday. It might be very eventful. Join me…
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at:
American Legion Post 119
4561 Greenstone Rd
Placerville, CA 95667
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Doug Barr
March Madness
Posted: March 10, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: ice, snow, winter Leave a commentOkay, it’s not about basketball.
More appropriately, March Miracle? A few years back we got hammered with a few late winter storms. We can hope.
But until then, maybe use the good weather to go out and enjoy the trail. I was there today on my way to the Forest Service office. More on that in a future post. The trail was frozen solid. The warm daytime weather has melted the snow, and the overnight lows have frozen it in to ice.
Since my last conditions report, many users have been out on the Tahoe side. Alas, again, I was alone and didn’t venture out on the trail. I can only assume that the climb out of the staging area is ridiculously slick. In the afternoon, with sunlight and warmer weather, I would think you would have no control coming back down that grade.
Although the weather looks great for the next week or so, always plan for the worst case scenario. Bring the right gear to spend the night, maybe a few nights. Tell someone where you’re going and when you will return. Get a ham radio and a license.
The road to the staging area will soon be down to pavement. Hopefully, the bathrooms will be opened when that happens.
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Rubicon Ronin
2026 FOTR Meeting this month
Posted: March 1, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AAT, adopt-a-trail, FOTR, maintenance Leave a commentI just got the official word from Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) about the 2026 planning meeting…
Saturday, March 21st, 10am, Placerville
Hello Friends of the Rubicon!
We’re thrilled to announce our Friends of the Rubicon Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at:
American Legion Post 119
4561 Greenstone Rd
Placerville, CA 95667We’ll be discussing key projects on both the Tahoe and El Dorado sides of the trail, as well as FOTR and Adopt-A-Trail collaboration for the 2026 season.
We’re thrilled to announce our Friends of the Rubicon Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at:
I would like to extend a special invitation to all Adopt-A-Trail clubs to attend and share your input on the future of the program. We welcome your thoughts and ideas on how we can improve moving forward. There are also sections of trail currently in need of a steward, if your club is interested.
We will also be holding an election for FOTR Trail Boss. If you would like to run for Trail Boss, please let me know in advance so we can include your name on the agenda. If you have any questions about the position, feel free to reach out directly at fotrtrailboss@gmail.com.
RTF will be providing lunch, so please RSVP to help us with a headcount.
Important: The American Legion has requested that there be no alcohol at the meeting or in the parking lot. Please respect their wishes.
Please bring your ideas, questions, and suggestions — we look forward to seeing everyone there!
Thank you,
Shannon Chard.
This is your opportunity to speak out about what you would like to see done with the Rubicon Trail and to step up and volunteer to help maintain the Rubicon Trail
The main project for the Rubicon Trail this season is to build a bypass around some very wet sections of trail and to bypass the shelf road above Miller Creek. I’m sure that the Rubicon Trail Foundation (RTF) will be on hand to answer any questions you many have about this project.
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Rubicon Ronin
Trail(head) Conditions
Posted: February 26, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: snow Leave a commentOkay, you guys are probably tired of the same old conditions posts but until I make some friends and actually get ON the trail, this is all I can offer you.
Well, here it is, again. Post storms and rain, there’s maybe a three-foot berm.
The county is doing alright, trying to do a straight plow to minimize piling snow at the entrance.
Here’s the rub and I don’t know how to get the county to change. as they plow, snow gets blown to the left side of the trail only, creating an offset challenge. Let’s call it a “gatekeeper”. Maybe notch a grove on the left side to prevent you from sliding into the ditch on the right.
With all the rain from the last warm storm, a couple of good freezing nights should create a doable trail.
Anyone up for the challenge?
Please go prepared, don’t go alone, let someone know when you’re going and have a means of communications.
A future post will look at communication options.
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Rubicon Ronin
Trailhead Update
Posted: January 21, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: snow, trailhead Leave a commentUnfortunately, no new snow. And there’s nothing in the forecast.
Not much there. Lots of evidence that people are out playing.
Yes, that’s my new 2021 Colorado. ZR2. I was a single vehicle, so I didn’t venture out.
Just past the entrance, there are many holes. It looks like people without lockers are getting stuck and spinning tires and digging holes.
I love the couple of logs in the snow that people used to try and get unstuck. Obviously, something worked to get them unstuck.
50 feet in and you’re on a nice hardpack, icy road.
New truck means the old one is for sale…
Pray for snow!
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Rubicon Ronin
The 'Other' Rubicon 