Georgetown to Icehouse (green sticker ?)

[Soxyfarmer]

Hey,

I'd like to do a snow run on Wentworth Springs road from Georgetown to Icehouse. My problem is my rig is green stickered. Does anybody know if I can drive on Wentworth? Or, if maybe there is a rule that states, "once on the snow, it doesn't matter?" I just don't want to break any laws because I didn't research.

p.s. I will call the ranger station on Monday.

[rockslutscoutII]

Did u find anything out about this?? I have trailed my Sammi to Quintet (sp) because of the green sticker issue. They stop plowing as u know 1/2 mile up from there. I park on Sand Mountain Blvd not to far from the fire station. Ive done it that way 4 times this year and havent been harassed. But that dosen't mean im not breaking the law.. mike

[WLDWUN]

I cant tell you 100 perecent for sure but I think they have to have the same rules for the same type roads in the forest.
For Iron Mountain Road, which is not plowed in the winter the wording is

"If there is very little or no snow cover, all paved roads are
closed to OHV Greensticker vehicles. If a paved road has
sufficient snow cover to limit normal 2 wheel drive vehicle
traffic, these paved roads are usable for Greensticker OHV
use."

Rick

edit; it says ALL paved roads, so I cant see how you would be wrong if it had snow cover.

[Soxyfarmer]

I have a call into the FS. The gal had no idea that you could green sticker something other than a motorcycle. Supposed to get a call back here, I'll post up when I hear. Seems to me like I'd be fine, just wouldn't mind a little clarification. Thanks for the input guys!

[WLDWUN]

If she says anything other than yes you can use greenstickered vehicles.
let me know. I will talk with the people at the Supervisors office and get it straightened out.

Rick

[Soxyfarmer]

Never got the call back. I'll try again tomorrow. Thanks Rick, I'll let you know what I hear.

[timatoe]

This is a good question, I'm a cop and I don't know. My first guess though is what wldwun posted, that basically if it's not open to traffic it should be OK. The USFS may be able to answer the question, but keep in mind they have don't typically enforce the CA Vehicle Code. I'd say your best bet is to stop by a local CHP office, those guys seem to have the entire 40k+ codes memorized.

I'll do some research too and try to find out for sure.

[WLDWUN]

I also have a call into the supervisors office to try to clarify this. The one thing I did find that may change the rules for this road is that it is a Federally Designated Forest Highway

The forest-scale analysis area contains eight Forest Highways designated under the Public Lands
Highways program of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21). These routes are
state, county, or Forest Service owned roads qualifying for federal funding for improvement or
enhancement. They provide access to and within the National Forest. Portions of some of these forest
highways are still under the jurisdiction of the Forest. When funding is secured and improvements are
made to bring these sections to Federal Highway Administration standards, they will be turned over to
either the state or county.

[timatoe]

So, the only thing that I can find is that OHV's are not authorized on roadways open to the public. Two things with that are, one... if you notice on Wentworth Springs up after the intersection with Icehouse Rd. and maybe south on Icehouse (I've only been that way once) there are sections where OHV's are allowed. Two, the road isn't open to the public when it's covered in snow.

So my opinion is you would be ok, no different than if you were on a quad or a snowmobile. I'd still double check with a CHP office in the area, but I think you're OK.

[WLDWUN]

Originally Posted by timatoe

So my opinion is you would be ok, no different than if you were on a quad or a snowmobile. I'd still double check with a CHP office in the area, but I think you're OK.

I have talked with the Forest Service and they say they have no juristiction since it is a county road. I am going to talk with the county next week as well as with the CHP office in Placerville.

[Soxyfarmer]

Thanks for the leg work guys! I have been slammed with work and haven't been able to call the FS again. I wondered if it was a county rd. So, that would be CHP jurisdiction? What about federal FS kinda like all the Rubicon talk as far street legal rigs needing plates, mirrors, cracked windshields, etc? Aren't they the ones who dish out the tickets?

Again, thanks for all the research!

[chevyjepp]

Originally Posted by WLDWUN

I have talked with the Forest Service and they say they have no juristiction since it is a county road. I am going to talk with the county next week as well as with the CHP office in Placerville.

If this is true how does Ken write tickets and pull people over on Ice House Road. I think it is a county road?

[timatoe]

Originally Posted by chevyjepp

If this is true how does Ken write tickets and pull people over on Ice House Road. I think it is a county road?

The FS LEO's are still LEO's they are not limited strictly to Federal lands, much like a cop Sacramento could go to LA and arrest you, CA cops have jurisdiction throughout the State. But,,,,, in order to operate off Fed. land and enforce CA State laws they have to have attended CA 832 PC class that certifies them to do so. This isn't a new thing however a vast number of FS LEO's have NOT attended this mandated class and are still writing cites off Fed. land. I only know all of this because my wife works in LE with the USFS and is spearheading getting all of these guys 832 certed.

Hope all that helps a bit.

[Todd W]

Snow on road good, no snow on road = ticket or risk a warning.

Also, if you are going off WW you need to know county winter closure and what "roads" are closed. You could get ticketed even if it was snow covered and you were on it with a wheeled vehicle.

[getzuked]

As long as you are in front Dont get stuck You only have to out run the slowest one in the group!