[resqme]

Currently, updated May 15th, 2018, the trail conditions are:

NOTE: The trail is currently open. Check here or the El Dorado County page for most recent updates.

Loon trailhead: Clear.

Wentworth Springs trailhead: Same as Loon.

Buck Island to Rubicon Springs: Same as Loon

Cadillac: Same as Loon

Tahoe trailhead: Some snow between observation and Barker,, track is in.

Note: Conditions can change rapidly. Always check the forecast and plan your trip around the weather!

Temperatures in the 50's and 60's during the day, low 30's at night.

Boilerplate Winter Advice:

There are very few people on the trail during the off season (October through the melt), always be prepared to extricate yourself! Well set up and maintained rigs, lockers, 37” plus tires, a good winch, charging system, dual batteries, 100’ of extra cable, straps, and hardware are necessities to move in the snow. Always carry food, shelter, and warm clothes. Ham radio or satellite phone are the ONLY ways to communicate out of the Rubicon.

Temperatures can be VERY cold, in the single digits, go prepared!

Always carry a toilet...Wag Bag it.

Fire restrictions are NOT in place, which means campfires are allowed with a permit, but you still must have a permit from the Forest to have a fire or propane fired device (stove, fire, etc.).

Hope this helps.

 

[toyrocs]

Let it SNOW!

John thanks for the update. Looking forward to a couple of snow run this winter. Maybe March/ April if the trail gets enough snow. Hope it's not another drought year! The snow coverage was about 10 percent on my last Rubicon Run Dec 27-29 2017. Happy new Year.

 

[resqme]

Been raining off and on at the 4000 foot level the last few days, fairly warm, not sure what that has translated to on the trail. I'll go look in the next day or so.

March/April sounds good, been doing some work on the YJ to make it more of a snow vehicle, hopefully we will see enough snow to evaluate that !

Hell yeah, LET IT SNOW!

 

[Overhauler]

I’m surprised you guys don’t have sleds

 

[Curly]

Some of us do

 

[resqme]

Some of us do

Someday. I promised myself that the next time we have a significant snow season I'm gonna get one. I will, it looks too effective and like too much fun not to participate!

Where do you put the ham radio?

 

[bsdboy]

Went to WWS campground, from Airport Flat.

It's pretty cold, fair amount of water on the trail... about 1" thick ice on top of the water. Enough to walk on most of the time.

Couple feet of snow at the campground.

One downed tree, got it out of the way.

 

[Curly]

1-26-18 Friday afternoon "Hot Rock" climb out of spillway after Kiosk, Loon Lake.

 

[bsdboy]

Don't supposed anyone's been to WWS lately? Thinking about giving it a go on Saturday. Lots of snow today, more expected Wednesday through Saturday. :smokin:

 

[resqme]

Will, haven't been, but updated conditions page based on asking folks that have. I'll be up next week some time. Be careful heading in mid-week this week, I expect 18"+ on both Thursday and Friday and another foot or so on Saturday.

 

[bsdboy]

Cool, we'll take some pictures. Would love to make it to the campground, we'll see though. I'm sure there will be some downed trees after this storm so could be rough going.

 

[toyrocs]

Rubicon Snow Run

Currently, updated March 26th, 2018, the trail conditions are:

NOTE: The trail is currently open. Check here or the El Dorado County page for most recent updates.

Loon trailhead: Approximately 6' of snow. No track in yet. Conditions have been difficult...powdery snow layers and now lots of water moving in the drainages. As things warm up the net few weeks, the morning wheeling should start to get very good.

Wentworth Springs trailhead: Same as Loon.

Buck Island to Rubicon Springs: Same as Loon

Cadillac: Same as Loon

Tahoe trailhead: No recent info. Predictup to 12 feet of snow in the Miller area.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the trail update John. I'm planning another Snow run the middle of April, with the usual suspect! Looks like a lot of snow dumped the last couple of weeks, but the temps are climbing fast. Maybe see you on the trail?

Cheers. Toyrocs

 

[resqme]

I would, Desmond, but I'll be in Moab. Yup, temps coming up.

Talked to a guy who went to LS in a RZR on tracks a few days ago. He left early in the morning ans was back by noon. He said great traction conditions, but big drifts and big drops between Ellis and Walker. Sounded like fun :smokin:.

6' or so at Spider.

 

[SJscouter]

Went in this afternoon and ended up turning around just shy of lily lake. More snow than i expected but its slushy 51* today and there is lots of running water. Creek crossings can be challenging, wifeys jk on 37s was getting a workout getting out of them and we both ended up winching a few times. I may take another try at getting to observation in another week or so depending on the temps up here.

 

[SJscouter]

https://youtu.be/n7uFW8IyPoE

 

[TimCubed]

I aired down at Airport Flat around 6 AM Saturday trying get the good snow, :shaking: Slush at 6 AM with 39.5x15x15 at 1 psi on my flatfender I struggled. Lots of snow bridges to fall into, my 9.5 XP Warn and I were struggling. Just stepping out of my Willys I would drop in over my knees, typically in12" deep ice water (have good boots). I used a tree saver and two straps on multiple pulls, be prepared to work. I winched approx. 25 times, 6 times getting out of the bowl. I blazed the trail by myself from Wentworth to Loon. I met up with Curly near the Chalet and he aired me up, thank god cuz I was spent.

Lots of this. Bottom line the snow is deep slush. Big tires and a light rig is a must. I would suggest waiting a couple weeks.

Fresh bear tracks around the Wentworth Springs cabins.

 

[resqme]

Thanks for the reports guys. Looks like work!

 

[SJscouter]

Stopped by the trailhead to see the amount of snow melt. I was in a work truck so didnt try to get past the snow berm. The snow is definetly melting fast, lots of running water. drastic difference from 2 weeks ago. 2 weeks back the berm in the neighborhood was about 4-5' tall and took some throttle and momentum to get over could now be tackled in just about any 4x4. Lots of asphalt showing on the road. Only hiked in about a half mile. Monday me and a friend are gonna make an attempt at observation pt. bringing snow shoes to further explore.

 

[TheFish]

Any updates, heading up for a solo mission. Any current info is helpful. THX

 

[SJscouter]

Any updates, heading up for a solo mission. Any current info is helpful. THX

Head in the loon side. Tahoe is still pretty rough. Lots of snow and huge holes.