Here is near Ellis creek after near 100 degree weather in the valley followed by 5 days of drenching rain.

The snow is still there. Water flows were super super high during the rain but did not knock the snow down as much as I thought it might.

Recommendation this year is to make other plans for this Holiday and to stay off Rubicon.

Scott

Is there alot of snow on the Rubicon still?? Take a guess.

Repost! :p

We see this discussion every year, do a quick search in this forum on 'Memorial Day" ... most of the time the trail is passable, but in the end, it generally isn't the best time to 'wheel Rubicon.

One of the guys in this thread had it figured out a few years back: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475826
...Every single year, for the last 6 or 7 this has been brought up. Everyone freaks out, talks about not going, warns others not to go... Soon the con probably will be closed during Memorial day.. etc etc... Bottom line is. If you go and eventually the trail is closed on Memorial day, you have no one to blame but yourself!! :mad3: If you have to go camping that bad, pack up the tow rig and family and go to a pay camp ground. Wait until the snow is done melting and the water is done running high!!
Me? I will be home this weekend BBQ'n! I don't want to be apart of the problem anymore. I went on this weekend for enough years! I'm done!!:smokin:

It makes sense today, years later.

That said, I fully expect some people to go regardless of the conditions, because the Rubicon Trail public highway is open year-round. Rubicon Trail Foundation is working hard to keep it that way (Hallelujah!), even while we recommend folks to stay away when it is this wet and vulnerable. Fewer people on the trail this early should result in less impact to the trail, and help us ensure that the trail stays open for all.

This year (and every year), please 'wheel gently, and Tread Lightly! ... and remember that other dry option like Moon Rocks are available.

Randii
Randy Burleson
President, Rubicon Trail Foundation
www.RubiconTrailFoundation.org

Repost! :p

We see this discussion every year, do a quick search in this forum on 'Memorial Day" ... most of the time the trail is passable, but in the end, it generally isn't the best time to 'wheel Rubicon.

One of the guys in this thread had it figured out a few years back: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475826


It makes sense today, years later.

That said, I fully expect some people to go regardless of the conditions, because the Rubicon Trail public highway is open year-round. Rubicon Trail Foundation is working hard to keep it that way (Hallelujah!), even while we recommend folks to stay away when it is this wet and vulnerable. Fewer people on the trail this early should result in less impact to the trail, and help us ensure that the trail stays open for all.

This year (and every year), please 'wheel gently, and Tread Lightly! ... and remember that other dry option like Moon Rocks are available.

Randii
Randy Burleson
President, Rubicon Trail Foundation
www.RubiconTrailFoundation.org
I'll do my part about not wheeling there till the snow's gone and waters down :)

i was refured to this link so i thought i would post the condishons.

a group of us made it all the way through the rubicon this past weekend.
i would say that by memorial weekend there will be no snow from loon all the way to the lookout after cadillac hill. there was bearly anysnow from loon to that point, but from then on it gets very deep snow and water.

Did I meet you Saturday morning or did you go in before that??

we went in around 4:30 pm friday. where yo already there?

The snowmobiling is still great at Mt. Rose! No dirt! Can we just get the Rubicon to melt and more snow at Rose?

I was in yesterday (walking :)) as far as Walker. I was also with Scott when those pictures were taken. There is not much snow on the trail anymore (only five days, and a LOT has melted), as steve noted, but still a TON of water.

Still best to stay off the trail until the water is gone. I'll be in and out several times between now and Memorial, will try to keep this updated!

Thanks John!

It must be nice being able to run up to the trail for a nice stroll whenever you want. I'm more than a little jealous :smokin:

Yeah, "strolled" up to Walker yesterday, maintained the Jackhammer Jesus waterbar to drain Walker, maintained the drainage swales below Walker, and maintained about 6 or 8 drainage points (bars and leadoff ditches) along the trail on my way back out. Took me 8 hours to get to Walker and back, and I'm sore today!

I'll be going back up a few more times to hit that area of the trail. To be honest, that area along with the Soup/Winter Camp areas are most at-risk right now in terms of water. I'll shoot you an email if you wanna "stroll" with me :).

Truth is, a day working on the Con is a bunch better than a day working!

Truth is, a day working on the Con is a bunch better than a day working!

I know you worked your butt off but this statement is sooooo true!

...the Jackhammer Jesus waterbar...

You can't just throw that out there without the picture. :laughing:

You can't just throw that out there without the picture. :laughing:

You are so right, Jes!!! I spent ten minutes looking and couldn't find it. Somebody?

Best I can do. I know there is a better one out there somewhere with Jesus walking down at the bottom of Walker:D


btw there was a ton of people working their tales off that weekend :smokin:

Jesus sightings

That was a great day!!!

and the crowning jewel because he is not online to defend himself

That was a great day!!!


For sure! :beer:

we should clarify to those who might think that these pictures are from this year that there not :D. i can see it now, " dude there is no snow up there, those guys were lying! lets go!" :flipoff2:

Yes this thread has gotten off topic for sure! While it seems that the snow should be gone this MD, the trail will be wet still in places. By all accounts, the trail is in good shape to Ellis right now. By next weekend it should be good all the way to Rubicon Springs. The Tahoe side will still be snowed in then, so those going through will have to take it easy over there.

I expect the usual Loon to Spider traffic to be heavier than the through travel.

i will be staying at the Loon trailhead with a few friends thursday and friday night, not with the rig though. i will bring the '08 F150. Say hi if you see us:flipoff2: i will be hiking to Spider so if you see me and my buddy im down to hitch a ride:smokin: for shits and giggles! i would bring the rig just to ride to Spider but i still need to regear the front :shaking:

Was at the kiosk yesterday. Took a spin in to the trail alittle thanks to Little Rich and the new 530 racing buggy. WOW!!

the trail is still wet right through Gatekeeper and will be drying this week. I expect it to be wet until the first part of June this year so my feeling is the recommendation stands to stay away from the trail.

This effort, in my observation has been hugely successful. A reduction of traffic is the goal. If we expected noone to go, closure could be an option.

I always balance my feels to public right to travel with protecting the resource. I beleive we are doing a great job, all of us, in protecting the Rubicon and the right to use it.

I was up there with the kid and the Pathfinder stock no doubt, sure you remember us. We did make it all the way (yeah right). Your ride in the buggy was damn near over before it began. you must of only been in it what 5 minutes maybe 10 and you were back.

No doubt fun though, keep up the good work.




Was at the kiosk yesterday. Took a spin in to the trail alittle thanks to Little Rich and the new 530 racing buggy. WOW!!

the trail is still wet right through Gatekeeper and will be drying this week. I expect it to be wet until the first part of June this year so my feeling is the recommendation stands to stay away from the trail.

This effort, in my observation has been hugely successful. A reduction of traffic is the goal. If we expected noone to go, closure could be an option.

I always balance my feels to public right to travel with protecting the resource. I beleive we are doing a great job, all of us, in protecting the Rubicon and the right to use it.

i looking forward to hiking the trail, looks like im heading up thursday. hopefully find a first come first serve spot open on one of the lakes.

Anyone going in from the Tahoe side there is at least one tree down on the trail... Bring a saw eary season... Please don't create another bypass!

I know folks have been going around it. Anyone got a pic?? I have an idea as to the location but no specifics.

Does anyone plan on going up to some of the dryer parts this weekend ? We are looking to tag along with some more experienced trailers if possible.

Anyone going in from the Tahoe side there is at least one tree down on the trail... Bring a saw eary season... Please don't create another bypass!
Boo to anyone who has gone through this season and gone around it, not over it. Cheers to anyone who can take in a saw/winch and do the right thing and remove the blockage from the trailer.

Randii

Well according to fellow Rockhead reports. Mckinstry has a bit of snow left.
Wentworth is a better choice for entrance at this point. with the hot weather for the last few days I am sure the old gatekeeper will have dried out a bit as well.
Rockheads will be enjoying the memorial day by Airport flats. I myself am headed up tommorow. Now that The shop is closed down..I get to take a longer (unpaid) holiday.:laughing:
See ya all around. be safe and clean!
Tom G
KI6WXB

Does anyone plan on going up to some of the dryer parts this weekend ? We are looking to tag along with some more experienced trailers if possible.

Rock head camp will be across from airport flats and we are open to help most people along the trail. As long as you stay on it. See stevon (KI6SSD) or ritchard (KI6QAB) were here all week

I work in Placerville and at lunch today it was like watching a parade 2 or 3 rigs coming up the hill every couple of minutes.

Sounds like Monday will be a busy day for me ... mass exodus count :D

I'm there to help just leme know