I wouls like to know how much of the trail you can run from meadow lake? Do you have to go across committe crossing to do winch hill 3. At 300 I will not be crossing the river way to high.

if you go in at Meadow you can run Winch Hill 3, 4 and 5 without crossing. Actually a fun part of the trail.

Is there any type of map out there that lays out the trail at all? Which is the meadow lake access?

To get to Meadow Lake over the road you need to head north on 89 from Truckee. Check out Tahoe National forest website for directions. Look under the sierraville campground section.

If the flow is at 300'ish you might be able to go from Meadow all the way to water crossing #2 (counting from the normal start). The 3rd crossing (the one downstream from Committee) is typically the easiest as it's split in two by a small island.

The problem isn't always the depth. It's the force of the flow. It'll lift your vehicle and start pushing it downstrean and / or flip it. This is why the guys with no doors and stuff in the buggies have less problems than those with doors. Water doesn't push them it just flows right though

Is there any type of map out there that lays out the trail at all? Which is the meadow lake access?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=527701&stc=1&d=1275967804

Wow, thanks guys. I really had no idea you could even wheel fordyce if you didn't cross the rivers. The time I went we went from eagle lakes road and left out committee so there was no dry option at all.

Thanks.

It looks like the exit route might be a good place to start then? Start out by Fordyce lake and go wherever. Meadow Lake start looks like a lot of extra driving.

It looks like the exit route might be a good place to start then? Start out by Fordyce lake and go wherever. Meadow Lake start looks like a lot of extra driving.

Not with high water flow. Only way to get to the actual trail is via committee trial crossing (exit route) which is the worst water crossing. This crossing is not part of the normal trail going from Eagle Lake area to Meadow Lake. I would not recommend anyone attempt this crossing above a flow of 250 without prior knowledge and experience, a very capable rig, and immediate help should things go bad. Vehicles have been rolled attempting this crossing. Trying to extricate myself from my rig while submerged upside down in 60 degree water is not my idea of fun.

Be smart. Be safe.

Yea, I will take the extra hour or two drive to get to the best trail in the sierra's and NOT kill myself. I have seen the Committee crossing raging at a good 200 or so. River almost covered my lap and I am on 37's and watched about 15 rigs to find the BEST line before hand. Also in a group of 8 rigs, so there was plenty of support. Extracting a rig without a running motor that has water coming over the hood will take A LOT longer than simply driving on paved roads a little bit more out of the way. My $.02

Can someone mark or describe on the above map where the committee crossing is?

Can someone mark or describe on the above map where the committee crossing is?
Committee crossing is to the right of the marker labeled '08' -- this crossing connects the MAIN TRAIL with the alternate middle access (that's the two light dotted lines side-by-side on the east side of the creek by Fordyce Lake.

The middle access is an alternate route -- the main trail connects Eagle Lakes to Meadow Lake.

Randii

Thank you Randii

. Trying to extricate myself from my rig while submerged upside down in 60 degree water is not my idea of fun.

Be smart. Be safe.



who heats the water for you before you cross?:flipoff2: never feels that warm too me..:laughing:

Agree completely though.. Being under water is not such a fun idea to me.. and heck the maintenance it creates for you and your rig stinks too..

Since no one seemed to describe the easiest/safest way across to the best of my knowledge this is it correct me if I'm wrong. You will come up to the water crossing and its clear where to cross. However on the other side there is two exit points. If you go straight across that is the deepest that would be bad depending on rig. Option B is to go left at a 45 degree hugging the left side of the two rock outcroppings next to the beginning and end or exit. This way you are not giving the rapids your broadside and the water is not as high this way. Just FYI for anyone searching I would hate to see a rollover get fluids into the water and shut the trail down. Think of others if it doesn't look safe to you then by all means just head to the rubicon going in one the tahoe side its not that far away.