I'm getting lots of questions, so I'm starting this thread to post current trail conditions. I'll try to update it fairly often and obviously anyone who has an update or a question is free to do so as well. I will update the original post, so you don't have to go hunting for trail conditions if you're in a hurry.
Currently, updated December 30th, 2011, the trail conditions are:
Loon trailhead: No snow in the last week, bowl is clear, icy conditions in places, day and night. Many areas of the trail have a snow layer.
Go prepared...in addition to cold weather gear carry a hundred feet of additional winching ability, be it a 100' spare winch cable, or a combination of straps and rated fasteners, or both. ALWAYS go with communications (ham or satellite), multiple rigs, and a backup plan. Let someone know where you are, your general route, and your anticipated return date.
Wentworth Springs trailhead: Same as Loon
Tahoe trailhead: Same as Loon, with a bit less snow.
Always carry a toilet...Wag Bag it!
There are currently no fire restrictions, but you MUST have a Forest Service permit to operate a propane stove or barbecue (charcoal or propane).
I hiked in as far as the turn at Richardson Monday morning. Got to Miller Lake around noon.
There is a crazy amount of snow on the trail and it is extremely wet. It starts at water bar #17 if you know your water bars. There are 28 in all to give you an idea.
The new material that Placer County delivered last summer is not yet compacted to the point it should be. It's a little soft. It can be driven on without making mud but a simple spin of the tire would make mud.
The transitions from dirt to snow and snow to dirt are still a concern. It is too easy to spin the tires and creat a hole.
There are still many places on the trail with standing water. These are areas not yet filled by Placer County or not yet able to drain due to snow. Please drive extremely slow through the water.
Please stay on the trail at all times. Going off the trail to go around an obstacle is not only illegal it will probably be more difficult. The areas to the side of the trail are very wet and will immediately turn to a mud bog.
Driving off trai lcould get the trail closed.
Pictures to follow, but I always have trouble posting them. Stay tuned.
After you first encounter snow on the trail, you soon realize there is quite a sidehill to deal with. The boulder here is really going to challenge any driver/rig. You can't drive around it to the right as you will go off trail. The sidehill on the left might tip the rig. Move the boulder if you need to, but stay on the trail.
Standing water on the trail at a water bar that needs it's drainage cleared. Draining water is always a good thing to do. Please make the effort to drain them if you have time.
This is at the border between the Basin and the TNF. If you look close, you can see a high line to the left. There is also a second route to the right. From here on there is more snow than dirt.
The Miller Lake water hole. This was filled last year by Placer County. The fill is still a little soft. The water is a couple of inches deep. There is water running on to the trail a little ways up. Once that is fixed this summer, next spring this should be dry year round!
The turn out at Miller Lake still has a few feet of snow.
This is as far as I went. To the left, out of picture, is the road to Richardson and Sourdough Hill. You can see the on the snow off the snow trail that lies ahead.
I am asking that people stay off the trail for a few more weeks. Yes, weeks. The Tahoe side has not had the maintenance effort the Loon side has and there are weak spots. With Placer becoming better at getting grants, these issues will be dealt with.
Let's not give the anti-OHV people something to complain about.
The Miller Lake water hole. This was filled last year by Placer County. The fill is still a little soft. The water is a couple of inches deep. There is water running on to the trail a little ways up. Once that is fixed this summer, next spring this should be dry year round!
Gonna be hittin the trail with about 9 other rigs July 16th. hopin to get from loon to observation point and back! Keeping my fingers crossed for warm temps and no snow!
Rain and 36 degrees F at 6500 at 08:00. Dunno where the snow level is.
Doug, that pic from Miller lake turnout is amazing, that gets a lot of sun right there. Sorry I missed you last night, I still have your chainsaw chaps.
Radio report from Rubicon Springs says that it is spitting snow right now. The river water level is flooding parts of the Springs. Main camp is dry but the cook crew camp, rock roller camp and smutville are under water. The water is over to the engraved rock in smutville.
This rain will be doing a number on the snow pack. Temporarily it will be flooding but the good news is, it is melting the snow rapidly. What a crazy year.
Does ANYBODY have photos of the springs, dirty dozen camp area, etc.....
Has there been many people to the springs other than the wedding party and the work party?
first though tohoe side, 3 rigs on sunday, took 8 hours...big snow drifts....moved some logs...flooding wensday morning...out tohoe side wensday by noon...make sure to go prepared....pics to come
Just got off the trail from a 4 day run Starting on the Tahoe side. Three rigs in our group a well prepared jeep and Samari and my Toyota. Left the tahoe side around parking lot around 1pm took us 8 hours to get to lookout. But we made it! Lots of snow. Two downed trees that we had to clear from the trail. Flopped my Toyota twice and had to winch all the rigs at some point. Headed down to Rubicon springs then next day. Talked to the caretaker at the cabin he was surprised to see us. Apparently we were the first to make it over. Camped there the next two nights. Beautiful weather till last night when it started down pouring! The river rose so much last night I had to move my tent twice. In the morning there was about a foot of water where my tent was the night before. I would say the river rose about 6 feet last night. Took us about 4 hours from lookout to get out today. there was a fresh dusting of snow last nigh but overall the snow is melting fast. Still had to winch in a couple spots to get out. I would say that it is passable but you better be prepared and be in a prepared rig.
My wife just got back from the work trip with JJUSA and this is a pic she took this morning of the river just downstream of the kitchen at the cook camp area. The report from the guys that took rigs in there is that it took 7 hours to get from camp to the other side of the bridge. they are leaving the rigs for th enight and walking back to spend the night in camp. they will be up early to try to get all the way back out. If you are headed up there this weekend, it may not be advisable to go all the way to the Springs until the Rubicon river subsides a little. It may be down by this weekend with warmer weather coming, but who knows.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Pirate 4x4
18.7M posts
366.4K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to custom off-road vehicle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about trail reports, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, fabrication, drivetrain, and more!