What bypasses to watch out for? Staying on the trail?

[CAVE]

I've have been watching this forum for the last few months to gather info for our first time trip this Sept. I'm basically finding out that we are going to have to be very careful to avoid any tickets. Now I realize that most of the trail is probably pretty self explanatory, but do you veterans have a good solid list of areas of the trail that may appear to be the main trail or a main bypass, but are illegal. One of the guys in our group has been before, but it was quite some time ago. I don't want to see a road or something that he remembers as part of the trail and end up getting a ticket for off trail driving or parking. It may be easier to find out what bypasses are legal and just stick to those. Are there many wide spots in the trail (wider than the 50ft) that we need to be careful at? I've seen the thread about soup bowl and soup kitchen, but don't really know where they are. I'm assuming these are "wide" spots in the trail that are legal.

Also, How do I find the parking area on the Tahoe side. We are leaving the trailers there (if you all deem it a safe area) and driving around to the trail head in our rigs. I've been told I can't miss it.. it is just past the bridge. I don't even know what road it is on so I just may miss it. Is it what most maps call the staging area? If so I have GPS coordinates from Dels site for the staging area on the Tahoe side. Thanks for helping out a new guy. We just want to help keep the trail open like everyone else.

[SlowMo]

The staging area on the Tahoe is on Mckinney Rubicon Road. That road intercepts with Hwy 89 near the town of Tahoma. Once on the road just follow the signs to the staging area. There is usually plenty of parking there for tow rigs and trailers. There are restrooms but no water. So don't plan on filling up your water there.

As far as the trail goes. Officially there are no legal bypasses at this time. There are areas though that the FS is allowing some latitude. The Soup Boul that you mentioned is one of those. It is an optional obsticle that is within the 50 ft easement. Here are some other areas that I have heard the FS is allowing some flexibility in:

• The bypass to the Little Sluice
• The bypass to the bypass of the Little Sluice
• Some routes across the Granite Bowl
• The split in the trail between Elis Creek and Walker Hill
• The Old Sluice (aka Big Old Sluice)

Please understand that I am not an authority on this and the FS could tighten their enforcement at any time as they see fit. In other words, stray off the main trail at your own risk. Understand that sometimes the hardest part is determining where the "Main" trail is. In open areas across grantie slabs look for orange relectors (like the kind you'd see on a hwy). Those mark the center of the "Official" trail.

Some areas to avoid going off trail would include:

• Spurs at Sipder Lake
• Spurs at Buck Island Lake (I've heard this area is heavily enforced)
• Spurs at or around Loon Lake
• Camping spurs in general that are beyond one vehicle length from the edge of the trail.

[resqme]

I think Slowmo gave you pretty good info except the back bypass at Spider is not open. The FS ticketed a group camped back there on July 4th weekend. The camping was legal, but they had their rigs back there, so he wrote them up.

[SlowMo]

Originally Posted by resqme

I think Slowmo gave you pretty good info except the back bypass at Spider is not open. The FS ticketed a group camped back there on July 4th weekend. The camping was legal, but they had their rigs back there, so he wrote them up.

Hmmm. Good to know. I never go that route anyway, but thanks for the heads up though.

[CAVE]

Thanks for the solid info. Anything else I should know besides the normal trail responsiblities (waste, garbage, spill kits.. and so on)? I have a couple pretty good maps that show the bypasses, and GPS stuff. Good to know about the center trail markers on the slabs. Is there anything else like this? I've also read that there are some stay out signs (pretty self explanatory).

Another question I had was if it would be a problem to run without a windshield from tahoe around to loon on hwy 50? By problem, I mean with the law. Are they strict about fender flares and mud flaps and that sort. I have insurance, registration, and all, but I plan on ditching the flares, mud flaps, doors, and windshield for the trail to reduce rock grabbers (on my jeep).

Last thing for now.... is there a good spot to camp at the "observation point" on the tahoe side? We would like to camp on the trail, but relatively close to the end on our last night as a couple of the guys will need to get out to their trailers early to make it back home in time for work the next day. I'm assuming this is near enough to the end of the trail that we won't have any problems from there on out in the morning of our final day? Or am I mistaken.. is there still some good obstacles between this point and the end that we should worry about the night before we head home just to be safe? The maps I've seen show this lookout area as very near the "end of the rough stuff". Thanks for helping out a rookie.

[tacomamike]

Originally Posted by CAVE

Another question I had was if it would be a problem to run without a windshield from tahoe around to loon on hwy 50? By problem, I mean with the law. Are they strict about fender flares and mud flaps and that sort. I have insurance, registration, and all, but I plan on ditching the flares, mud flaps, doors, and windshield for the trail to reduce rock grabbers (on my jeep).

IMHO that's asking to get pulled over.

Originally Posted by CAVE

Last thing for now.... is there a good spot to camp at the "observation point" on the tahoe side? We would like to camp on the trail, but relatively close to the end on our last night as a couple of the guys will need to get out to their trailers early to make it back home in time for work the next day. I'm assuming this is near enough to the end of the trail that we won't have any problems from there on out in the morning of our final day? Or am I mistaken.. is there still some good obstacles between this point and the end that we should worry about the night before we head home just to be safe? The maps I've seen show this lookout area as very near the "end of the rough stuff". Thanks for helping out a rookie.

Heading from observation point towards Tahoe there is a nice little spot in the trees off to the left, it's not far from observation point. There are a few boulders and ledges between observation point and Tahoe, but nothing like the rest of the trail.

Regards,
....Mike

[JW]

Originally Posted by CAVE

Another question I had was if it would be a problem to run without a windshield from tahoe around to loon on hwy 50? By problem, I mean with the law. Are they strict about fender flares and mud flaps and that sort. I have insurance, registration, and all, but I plan on ditching the flares, mud flaps, doors, and windshield for the trail to reduce rock grabbers (on my jeep).

The highway drive from one side of the trail head to the other would be about 2 hours+, by my best guess. I have not done that drive from one point to another but I have been over all those roads. That is all CHP territory and I would not do that if I were you.

Originally Posted by CAVE

The maps I've seen show this lookout area as very near the "end of the rough stuff".

If you have wheeled the entire trail to the observation point, the rest is easy. If you have never been rock crawling then you won't make to observation point anyway, so don't worry about that. Good luck.

JW

[renolaw]

Originally Posted by JW

If you have never been rock crawling then you won't make to observation point anyway, so don't worry about that. Good luck.

JW

is that so? then how does one gain experience?

There is a new bypass going up cadillac. just above Syd's grave the trail skirts an open slab and goes up thru the trees to the big right hand turn. Now, above the slab part a new trail takes off left up thru the trees that bypasses the 'trail', avoiding the narrow trees and roots across the trail. Lots of ATV tracks on this, but i'd avoid it. A safe way is to watch for the rubicon trail signs in the trees that show the correct 'trail'. Enjoy!


here is the best i have-- looking downhill the new bypass is off to the right, where the water is flowing.



mark

[JW]

If they don't have experience then I would hope they would acquire it in a more beginner friendly environment. There are many other trails that are much easier to learn on. Were you the new guy at the launch ramp last Labor Day weekend taking 350 attempts at learning how to back your boat down the ramp (still strapped to the trailer) with all 15 of your under age kids guiding you into the water saying "how else am I going to get experience"?

It was a feeble attempt at sarcastic humor, although I did watch one guy flounder in the Gatekeeper before they explained that they had enough and they needed to know the "easiest route home". It was at night though, maybe I should just give the benefit of the doubt.

Sorry, my mind can be a little demented, I guess I forgot the .

[CAVE]

Is California the only place around with rocks? Huh... I guess I didn't know that...

No harm done, I understood your intent. Anyways, thanks for all the info on what to stay away from. I guess I'll be sportin the windshield after all. Are there any other good routes to the trailhead from Tahoe without going around on 50 and up icehouse? Maybe some back roads or something? Thanks.

[renolaw]

tahoe to loon is only via US 50--- there are some minor forest roads but it would take all day to lace them together and u'd first have to get over echo summit and then deal w/ desolation wilderness where motorized vehicles are prohibited. Even then, many of the forest roads deadend, etc. So 50 it the fastest and most legal way to get to ice house road.

plan an hour to get from tahoe staging area to ice house road, then another hour from the 50/ice house intersection to the trailhead. Going to wentworth springs, adds about 15 minutes extra driving time until the rocks (and is THE way to go!) so the choice is urs.

check out

www.delallbright.com for a pile of good rubicon links, maps, GPS, etc.

good luck.
mb

[JW]

Originally Posted by CAVE

Is California the only place around with rocks? Huh... I guess I didn't know that...

No, Ca is certainly not the only place that has rocks, and the Rubicon is not the most challenging wheeling either unless you are new to wheeling (then it can be HARD CORE). Unfortunately we lost the gatekeeper so now any can drive in and get over their head pretty far from pavement. The Rubicon is just a great place to wheel casually and enjoy the scenery. Big rocks and fun lines are usually found in the desert, you guys up in Oregon have some of that right?

JW

[Toy time]

That was the simple good that "Gate Keeper" brought us, if you can't make it through then you're not ready.

[bagman]

Never thoght "gatekeeper" was much of a gatekeeper. As for being a beginner go for it. the trail isn't that hard. If I could figure out how to drive it a 16 year old kid by myself back in the day then anybody can figure it. I say go for it. Just be considerit and yield to faster moving traffic.

[Roksamy]

Originally Posted by bagman

Never thoght "gatekeeper" was much of a gatekeeper. As for being a beginner go for it. the trail isn't that hard. If I could figure out how to drive it a 16 year old kid by myself back in the day then anybody can figure it. I say go for it. Just be considerit and yield to faster moving traffic.

I have a headache now. Btw, spellcheck is your friend

Now that there is no "gatekeeper" , all the yahoo's that have no business being there are all stuck/ broken @ walker.

Anyone have an update on Middle Sluice?

[renolaw]

Originally Posted by Roksamy

Anyone have an update on Middle Sluice?

uh, thats a new name for me.... where is it located? Seems many people talk about the same place but use different names-- ie, bronco rock, toyota rock, million dollar hill, thousand dollar hill, etc...

[randii]

Old Sluice is Middle Sluice, True Sluice, Flatfender Alley, etc.

There are more details in this thread:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=488724

Until the Forest Service finalizes their maps, this will be up in the air. That said, FOTR has the maps to back up the most solid of claims to both Old Sluice and the Indian Trail bypass down the slabs. I'd love to fight that one in court!

Randii

[rok-jeep]

Originally Posted by Roksamy

I have a headache now. Btw, spellcheck is your friend

Now that there is no "gatekeeper" , all the yahoo's that have no business being there are all stuck/ broken @ walker.

We don't love Mike for his spelling

I think the area just past gatekeeper catches a few still. But even some get lucky and then get lost going up the slabs.

[renolaw]

Originally Posted by rok-jeep

...the area just past gatekeeper catches a few still.

so is that the 'aligator pit?' nice big ones there to negotiate in and over. haven't been that way in over three years--- we like WWS and 'postpile'-- ya get more wheeling in for the few extra minutes it takes to bypass loon.

mb

[cruzila]

This one?? Old Sluice, Middle Sluice, True Big Sluice. The best part of the trail.

[renolaw]

haha great pic and now i understand the webname--- nice hood ornament!


on our recent traverse of the trail from WWS to tahoe, just past buck island dam and past the now-better tippy section, there is a narrow section that goes up and a hard right around some trees. We got there and MOGSTER was dead on the trail as shown below. it seems a lot of drivers were going down hill to the right, past a huge dead and down tree, (on ur left headed east) then back up a rocky hillclimb to the 'trail' and a right turn and then on to top of big sluice. legal bypass or no?

Mogster



Big tree to left on the 'bypass'


mb

[CAVE]

Originally Posted by JW

No, Ca is certainly not the only place that has rocks, and the Rubicon is not the most challenging wheeling either unless you are new to wheeling (then it can be HARD CORE). Unfortunately we lost the gatekeeper so now any can drive in and get over their head pretty far from pavement. The Rubicon is just a great place to wheel casually and enjoy the scenery. Big rocks and fun lines are usually found in the desert, you guys up in Oregon have some of that right?

JW

Yeah, I was just giving you a little lip. I actually live east of the cascades which is usually considered high desert.. sage brush and rocky hills. Some volcanic rock too (hard on the tires). I grew up in the valley and it was mostly steep rutted dirt roads that got real muddy and were usually pretty tight in the trees. Anyways, thanks for the info and concern.

This is turning into a much better thread than I was expecting. The pictures are going to help me out a lot since I haven't been. I will probably print some of them off and take with.

Is the staging area on the tahoe side as safe as any for parking trailers? It's not like we will have anything outside of the vehicles or on the trailers of value anyways. Probably just lock up the safety chains to keep the trailers in place. Thanks again for all the info.

[Simple Man]

The Tahoe side is safe.

Some people like to stay one night at a casino before the trip and then one after the trip. The soft bed is good and they should let you leave the trailer in a lit and patrolled parking lot.

[cruzila]

Originally Posted by renolaw

haha great pic and now i understand the webname--- nice hood ornament!


on our recent traverse of the trail from WWS to tahoe, just past buck island dam and past the now-better tippy section, there is a narrow section that goes up and a hard right around some trees. We got there and MOGSTER was dead on the trail as shown below. it seems a lot of drivers were going down hill to the right, past a huge dead and down tree, (on ur left headed east) then back up a rocky hillclimb to the 'trail' and a right turn and then on to top of big sluice. legal bypass or no?

mb

The Mogster is on the trail at what I call Coffmans corner. Named after Bart Coffman for reasons.............well he flopped.

[randii]

Originally Posted by renolaw

...just past buck island dam and past the now-better tippy section, there is a narrow section that goes up and a hard right around some trees. We got there and MOGSTER was dead on the trail as shown below. it seems a lot of drivers were going down hill to the right, past a huge dead and down tree, (on ur left headed east) then back up a rocky hillclimb to the 'trail' and a right turn and then on to top of big sluice. legal bypass or no?

Illegal, IMHO. The main trail is clear through there, and that's well past a vehicle length from the edge of the trail, which would get you a ticket from the Forest Service if they were in attendance.

A Mog can block the trail pretty effectively... I hope they cleared the trail as quickly as possible.

Randii