Can someone clarify the regulations regarding camping access on the trail. Specifically at Buck Island. Is it still legal to take the spur trails down to the camping areas across from the Rockbound inflow?
First, about Buck Island... there are no spur routes off the main trail that are currently legal for wheeled motorized recreation, due to Forest Order #03-05-07 and the supporting Motorized Restriction Map (both reference here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/fo/index.shtml )
Anything in this area can still be hiked and camped, but do not park or drive off the MAIN Rubicon Trail, as shown on the USFS Motorized Restriction Map. Be aware of the boundaries and supplemental permitting rules for the nearby Desolation Wilderness area.
Generally, I recommend parking within 25 feet of the trail and camping at least 50 to 75 feet away from the trail on Forest Service land.[/b]
If my vehicle is in the right-of-way, parked appropriately, sleeping in a tent outside of the right-of-way, I am a CAMPER. Nothing more, nothing less... This has nothing to do with Route Designation or the RTMP -- camping is a non-motorized activity.
Less simply, and less generally, be aware that the rules technically vary based on who owns the land (public, forest, county) and the three common activities undertaken (driving, parking, and camping):
A.) if you are within the 50' path of the trail, you are on County-claimed land and can technically drive, park, and camp, as long as you aren't blocking traffic.
B.) if you are outside the 50' path of the trail and on Forest Service land, you are not on the trail, and cannot drive or park, but can camp.
C.) if you are outside the 50' path of the trail and on private land, you are not on the trail, and should technically not drive, park, or camp without landowner permission.
Thanks Randii. That clears things up for me. I have not had time to look at the map yet, is it legal to park in the wide granite clearing before the dam?
Actually, Ken, once we separate driving, parking, and camping, IMHO parking is the biggest challenge. With a 50' wide trail claimed, we haven't heard yet from the Forest Service whether the whole truck needs to be in the 'zone' or just a wheel... I'd guess the whole truck. Considering the length of an average 4x4s, parallel parking is the best compromise, but we will have to be careful never to park over the top of greenery, as that could be construed as resource damage.
The whole thing approaches silliness, at some point.
Vermit said:
I have not had time to look at the map yet, is it legal to park in the wide granite clearing before the dam?
On insomuch as you are within 25' of the center of the trail.
Throughout the Route Designation process, Eldorado National Forest has said that they are interested in developing new opportunities for 4x4s, ranging from improved parking to new trails, but they want to do it AFTER route designation and on a site-by-site basis, with full NEPA process. I hope they do, yet I am not hopeful they will.
Considering the length of an average 4x4s, parallel parking is the best compromise, but we will have to be careful never to park over the top of greenery, as that could be construed as resource damage.
The whole thing approaches silliness, at some point.
FOTR is already trying to help with parking -- whenever the FS asks us to brush, tree off, or boulder an area to block a bypass, our first comment is "We can help with that, but can we move the boundary back a bit to permit parking?"
We're also working bypasses, where appropriate, to retain alternate 'challenge routes' instead of just blocking off every path but one. Just past Gatekeeper, there are tow good examples of side-by-side trail choices, both of which are well within the county's claim. USFS would prefer to see just one trail, but for now, FOTR has swayed them to permit two trails, side-by-side. If some jerk mows down the trees in the middle, and makes it one big trail, the USFS will be less willing to flex in the future.
Randii
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