[Curly]

Wording this, wording that. Is it really any surprise the Forest service cant get their preverbal shit together with their laws?

Either way, here's a few things to think about. The lows right now are in the high 50's and highs in the 90's. Its dry as shit out there. Possibility for a wild fire is super high. We've already had a few close calls on the trail this year.

Do what you got to do but for the love of pete, be smart about it. Don't burn our trail down or the forest.

 

[jpet]

Gas camp fires, like the picture I posted earlier, are NOT allowed during fire restrictions. This comes from Forest Service Law Enforcement Capt Frank Aguilar.

 

[peesalot]

Jpet is correct and there has been a NOTE added to the Forest Service site on the fire restrictions page regarding that "Gas & Propane fires in stoves & lanterns are o.k. "

I offer that I can put the grill on the camp fire in a can and it becomes a stove. As protected as the big camp stoves you see. You know the big black ones with legs and up to 4 burners.

I would also say that a propane camp stove is an open flame as well. The camp fire in a can open flame is similar. In fact, I have seen camp stoves that have larger burners than the camp fire in a can does.

 

[generalee7]

I thought the reason propane fires were allowed prior to this discussion is they don't put off embers like a real fire. Sucks we can't even use those anymore

 

[jpet]

I thought the reason propane fires were allowed prior to this discussion is they don't put off embers like a real fire. Sucks we can't even use those anymore

Don't loose faith just yet. It sounds like they are going to meet and discuss making some changes that could allow them. Here is the email I got from Jennifer today:

Hi Jeff – Here is the clarification sent out to all employees on our forest. Our website is also being updated. Allowing gas fire pits will be reviewed -- they are not a stated exemption in the current forest order. Any changes would be a process that takes a while (regional office review, etc.) so there won’t be changes before this weekend. I know you will have a great time on the Rubicon Trail regardless. Thank you again for asking about this.
Sincerely --
Jennifer

From: Chapman, Jennifer A -FS
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 12:47 PM
Subject: gas fire pits - fire restrictions
Importance: High

We have received a number of questions from the public about what kinds of gas fire devices are allowed under our fire restrictions.

Fire management staff is reviewing the question of whether or not to restrict gas fire pits like the example in the photo attached.

The current Forest Order on Fire Restrictions does not identify these types of units as exempt.

A “gas fire pit” is not a “portable stove or lantern.”

An addendum to the current forest order would be needed for gas fire pits to be allowed.

Until an addendum is issued, gas fire pits are not allowed under the current fire restrictions in the Eldorado National Forest.

Please refer to the highlighted sections of the Forest Order attached.

 

[clb 017]

Headed in friday, what's the bug situation now?
Looking forward to the taco's first trip.

 

[TimCubed]

I had 2 jellowjacket traps filled 1/2 full in 4 days. They are very aggressive when cooking.

 

[clb 017]

Thank you sir.

 

[renolaw]

RTF put 40,000+ pounds if rock in a stockpile at the top of Cadillac for use by an upcoming FOTR work party. The scope is to do a gabion in the dirt section below Little V to stabilize the trail. This won't make the trail easier per se, but will stabilize that piece of the trail. Important because if the dirt portions of the trail on hillsides slough, we don't have any recourse, no way to reconstruct.

John, did this happen? Some of that area is getting narrower and narrower...

 

[resqme]

It did. If you were there recently you saw the 30 foot long gabion with the trail built up about 2' in the area below Little V, the area of most immediate concern. I'm not saying there aren't other areas, and as a matter of fact, FOTR is working on the water bar at the top this weekend. Expect much more in the next few years, either FOTR/RTF or gubment or all of the above.

John

 

[renolaw]

Excellent. Have not seen yet but will next weekend. Shepherding in a number of newbies down caddy and back up for the Scramble.
Thank you!

 

[oldtimingman]

The RTF website is down until mid-October it says, so is the RTF property open during the week? Looking at going next week ....anybody know?

 

[Curly]

The RTF website is down until mid-October it says, so is the RTF property open during the week? Looking at going next week ....anybody know?

Im sure someone from RTF will chime in but as I understand it, it is only open on weekends and thats only if they have a caretaker for that weekend. No caretaker=Closed.

Like I said thats only what I've heard and not the official word. I quite possibly could be wrong. Im sure someone will chime in either way

Have fun out there

 

[resqme]

Tim is correct, we've had it open this summer Friday through Sunday. We are actively looking for caretaker and Mid Trail Staff positions for next summer and would like to keep it open at least five days a week.

John
530-651-3028

 

[SacTrack]

Wentworth?

Anyone been in Wentworth recently? Looking to possibly take a group of about 7 rigs camping up that way in 2 week (Jan 18-20). If we go that way would probably either just camp at WS Campground, or see how it is on the way up to Ellis. Not planning to go in far.

Thanks

 

[samy crawler]

Anyone been in Wentworth recently? Looking to possibly take a group of about 7 rigs camping up that way in 2 week (Jan 18-20). If we go that way would probably either just camp at WS Campground, or see how it is on the way up to Ellis. Not planning to go in far.

Thanks

Pics on Thompson311 instagram page of wentworth side yesterday

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Anyone been in Wentworth recently? Looking to possibly take a group of about 7 rigs camping up that way in 2 week (Jan 18-20). If we go that way would probably either just camp at WS Campground, or see how it is on the way up to Ellis. Not planning to go in far.

Thanks

Icy and wet.

did i mention icy?

We were only able to tow in right past the loon turnoff before the road was too icy. Went in old way over bridge, came back to trucks on paved road since i was pulling a dead rig.

We made it to postpile before a decent break in our group stopped us from moving forward. I ran up to ellis and back. Snow was still decent at ellis campground 1foot or so. Campsites at WWS were melted off.

 

[SacTrack]

Awesome. thanks all. Sounds like it would be a pretty nice weekend after a couple more feet dump between now & then.

 

[Mnstr]

Ice House Road after storm

Heard from a friend a church group was heading up Saturday to Loon Lake I suspect via Ice House since they will be hauling up kids for the day and I told him they would not make it and were insane to take kids up after a storm like this.

Anyone got any info on road or local conditions around loon other than feet of snow, ice and yea dont make that trip unless you know what your doing!

 

[renolaw]

Heard from a friend a church group was heading up Saturday to Loon Lake I suspect via Ice House since they will be hauling up kids for the day and I told him they would not make it and were insane to take kids up after a storm like this.

Anyone got any info on road or local conditions around loon other than feet of snow, ice and yea dont make that trip unless you know what your doing!

Thoughts and prayers. As scouts in my youth we snow camped and that’s fun if ur prepared.