Just got back from Cali, this Kansas City guy, and i can honestly say....what a waste of $4.00 gas. I have to say i loved the camping and scenery, but colorado is much closer and a hell of a lot more challenging and just as scenic, hell maybe more (much less dust since every stock jeep in the region isnt found on their "10" level trails...
I think i was most disappointed when i saw piles of crushed granite that was destined for the continued effort to gravel/surface the trail. It very much appeared that they were catering to stockers that are found on and around the jamboree???
Anyway, very sad to say, but I'll not do that one again...
Signed,
Disappointed.
Firstly let me say I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed with your trip to the Rubicon, that is in and of itself hard to listen to. With that said I have to wonder to what level you understand the changes surrounding the trail? It would appear on the surface at least that you may have little to no knowledge of the events that led to these changes.
We are coming up on a very pivotal meeting wherein the Water Board maybe lifting the CAO which is what caused all of the work to happen, up to and including the Bridge at Ellis Creek. There has been countless hours spent by the county, volunteers and many others that have resulted in this "Crown Jewel" of a trail remaining open. I have no doubt in my mind that with out this unmatched involvement the Rubicon Trail would more than likely be closed.
With that said I will agree that the trail is not in the same condition it was 5 years ago but then again it's not the same as it was 100 years ago. As a frequent trail user I can honestly say that the trail is returning to a harder condition than it was three years ago when the work originally started. The important part here is that the trail has to meet certain conditions and completion of work for the CAO to be lifted. We all fought the changes and disagreed with them but ultimately the condition of the trail is this........."Open Year Round" I like that option better than the other.
More disappointing to me than your displeasure with your trip is the fact that as an offroader you appear to be some what disconnected with current events surrounding probably one of the more Famous trails out there. I suppose one could suggest that I would be somewhat out of the Loop on the current status of the trails in Kansas but then again I can't name one (Point Here) and even if I could I certainly wouldn't get on a forum and start a rant about how bad they are without doing a little reading first.
Sorry if this comes across a little harsh but I cannot express to you the amount of time, passion, and love, myself and countless others have put into making sure this trail is open for you and all generations to come to use!