Category: <span>Education</span>

Buckle Up

Every true 4WD enthusiast should know the basics of being responsible out on the trail.  The number 1 rule is you should ALWAYS BUCKLE UP.

This past weekend the Rubicon Trail Foundation sponsored Camp Rubicon, which is a special segment of Jamboree in Rubicon Springs just for kids 6 to 17 years of age! Jeep Jamboree Camp Rubicon’s mission is to motivate and encourage the next generation of off road and outdoor enthusiasts.  Hands on activities, nature hikes, survival skills, and informative discussions relating to responsible recreation rounds out their experience.

It is important that everyone learn outdoor safety ethics and stewardship practices.  Our hope is that they will pass this great information on to all users including the next generation of users.

This young Rubicon Trail Ambassador helped with Camp Rubicon and spread the word of Buckling Up on the trail.

Mission: To enhance the future health and use of the Rubicon trail, while ensuring responsible, motorized, year-round trail access.

Our vision is to be the trusted stewards of the Rubicon Trail, ensuring sustainability for the experience of the users.

Education on the Trail

Our mission is “To enhance the future health and use of the Rubicon Trail, while ensuring responsible, motorized, year- round access.”

As a board one of the main goals in achieving this mission is education.  Education can be done just about anywhere and everywhere.  This weekend we had many board members on the 67th Jeepers Jamboree and we all did alot of education on the trail answering questions and telling participants about the Rubicon Trail Foundation.

This coming weekend we are coordinating the Camp Rubicon at the 41st Jeep Jamboree. “Jeep Jamboree Camp Rubicon” is a special segment of Jamboree in Rubicon Springs just for kids 6 to 17 years of age! Jeep Jamboree Camp Rubicon’s mission is to motivate and encourage the next generation of off road and outdoor enthusiasts with programs such as “Tread Lightly!” where children learn outdoor ethics and stewardship practices. Hands on activities, nature hikes, survival skills, and informative discussions relating to responsible recreation rounds out the experience.

Jeep Jamboree Camp Rubicon aims for children of all backgrounds to enjoy our natural surroundings and learn how to preserve them for years to come.  We are so excited that we get to engage with our next generation of users.

This year we will be focusing on education in these areas:

Who is your Mid-Trail Staff that you may see on Rubicon Trial?

Meet your Mid-Trail Staff that you will see on the Rubicon Trail.  They are a great resource.  Stop and say HI to or get information on trail conditions, things to know, or ask questions .  They both look forward to seeing you on the trail.

This is Mike Hafelfinger’s third season working as Mid Trail Staff, working with both Shannon Chard and Merlin Scott in the past. He works the trail every week Monday through Thursday, spending most of his time between the Loon Kiosk and Little Sluice.

Mike ran the trail for the first time in 2011, in his Toyota pickup on 33’s.  He began wheeling as a means to get to high lakes to go fishing, ended up meeting Sean Russell, a past president of RTF, and ran the trail for the first time with him.  On his second trip he ran Soup Bowl, which he says, “really charged him up”, and he was hooked.  Since then, he figured out that the pickup wasn’t big enough for a family of three (Mike, his wife Gail, and his dog, Shadow), so he sold the truck and bought a Landcruiser, which is what he wheels today.

He retired from being a butcher, but has worked as a ski instructor near Sand Point, ID (where he met his wife Gail), a diving instructor taking dive trips to Florida, and a certified ship’s Captain on the west coast.  He also has his own 39 foot boat and has extensive blue water experience, having sailed the west coast from Canada to Mexico and to Australia and back.

He enjoys talking to trail users and finding out their stories, and likes to help folks from out of town and have an enjoyable experience on the Rubicon.

Glenn White is our newest Mid Trail Staff, filling the position vacated my Merlin Scott after his many years in the Rubicon.  He’s been doing the job for three weeks and feels like he is “settling in”.  He works the trail every week Thursday through Monday, spending most of his time between Little Sluice and Buck Island Lake.

Glenn ran the trail for the first time in 1982, in the Toyota Land Cruiser he still runs on the trail today.  Prior to his commitment to Mid Trail Staff he typically made six or seven trips a year to the Rubicon, usually for five days at a time.  His son Clint has been his “Life Long Wheeling Buddy”, in the passenger seat as a kid, and driving his own Jeep for many years.

Glenn is known to many on the trail, mostly for stopping to help folks out with mechanical problems or breakage.  He says Rubicon is his, “favorite place in the world”, and considers it a privilege to be able to work there and considers Mid Trail Staff a way to give back.

He especially enjoys sharing the trail with “one timers”, those who are on the trail for their first, and perhaps only time.

Happy 4th of July!

The Rubicon Trail Foundation would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!

Please be safe and remember to buckle up on the trail.  With the nice weather finally upon us there will be many people and rigs on the trail.

Trail Etiquette-

1. Know before you go- Do you need any permits?
2. Tread Lightly
3. Leave No Trace
4. Be Prepared for all weather and conditions
5. Let yourself be known- communicate with others on the trail how many rigs are in your party.
6. Leave plenty of space between you and others
7. Don’t Drink and Drive
8. Stop to help others
9. Leave no man behind
10. Make sure all campfires are safely put out

ALL fireworks are illegal in El Dorado County.

Attention Everyone- Rattlesnakes Are Out

Please be aware of Rattlesnakes!

• Watch where you step, look down!
• Listen to yor surroundings.  The rattle is a warning.
• Snake heads can bite up to an hour after they are dead.
• Watch your pets, they will find the snakes for you.

How to Treat Rattlesnake bites:

The first and most important thing to do is get away from the snake, as they can strike again if they feel threatened. Don’t waste time trying to catch the snake, but try to remember its size and color. This may help your medical team identify which species it was that bit you and locate the correct antivenin.

Seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Call for an ambulance if you’re able to.  You should reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of two or three days and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.

There are some common misconceptions about the treatment of rattlesnake bites. While waiting for the ambulance, here’s how to minimize your risk:

• Don’t raise the area above the level of the heart. If you do this, your blood containing rattlesnake venom will reach your heart more quickly.
• Stay as still as possible, as movement will increase your blood flow and the venom will circulate faster.
• Remove any tight clothing or jewelry before you start to swell.
• Let the wound bleed, as this may allow some of the venom to be released.
• Don’t wash the wound, as your medical team may be able to use some of the venom from your skin to more quickly identify the correct antivenin.
• Place a clean bandage on the wound.
• Try to remain calm, as anxiety and panic can increase your heart rate, which will cause the venom to spread.
• If you begin to experience signs of shock, try to lie down on your back, raise your feet slightly, and keep warm.
• Don’t cut the wound, as this doesn’t help and you could cause an infection.
• Don’t try to suck the venom from the wound, as you then introduce the venom to your mouth as well as introduce the bacteria from your mouth to the wound.
• Don’t use a tourniquet or apply ice or water.

It’s imperative that you get to the hospital as soon as possible. Don’t waste time on procedures that have been shown to be ineffective.

Here are a few links of useful information-

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/symptoms.html?fbclid=IwAR1Uztj6ADHmnqxIrllaVyPCHCqu-htBmKA8MI2ySZ7IUEwKnb807vI26Bo

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Rattlesnakes

It’s Summer – Be Aware

Today is the first official day of summer!  We have had some different weather this year and have finally started to get some warm and often HOT weather.  While it may be tempting to cool off in our local rivers and streams, The Rubicon Trail Foundation would like to remind everyone that water levels are high and often deceiving.  The water is cold and swift.

Be SAFE near water.

Spot- Spot the dangers- consider what is hidden under the water, check tides and currents, be careful around banks.

Advice- Always read the signs and wear life jackets.  Do not depend on floaties

Friends – Never swim alone

Emergency- Learn what to do in an emergency

Be prepared for changing water levels when camping and in the water.

Protect Yourself in the Sun:

• Cover Up- wear tight woven clothing that blocks out light.
• Use Sunscreen
• Wear a hat
• Wear UV protective sunglasses
• Limit Exposure – Reminder UV rays are the most intense between 10am-4pm

Snow Wheeling

This is the first in the series of educational pieces.

The snow is still up in the mountains, although it is melting fast.  These are just a few tips to keep in mind if heading up to the Rubicon or to play in the remaining snow this weekend.

If you have any questions or are curious about trail conditions do not hestitate to call us.

Introducing Rubicon U- Unlimited Outdoor Learning

We would like to introduce you to a new education piece that you will see us blogging about and providing information on via Social Media, in the Restrooms along the Rubicon Trail, at Events and during Camp Rubicon.

Education is a huge piece of what we do serving on the Rubicon Trail Foundation Board. Education helps us in our Mission and Vision of keeping the Rubicon Trail preserved, protected and available for future generations.

Our mission: To enhance the future health and use of the Rubicon Trail, while ensuring responsible, motorized, year-round trail access.

Our vision: To be the trusted stewards of the Rubicon Trail, ensuring sustainability for the experience of the users.

If you have a topic that you would like to see more information on please let us know.

Things To Know About Trail Etiquette

Kurt Schneider over at Modern Jeeper has written a wonder article on Trail Etiquette that everyone should read.   If you know Kurt, you know there are going to be some good stories to make his point.

Trail Etiquette on Modern Jeeper.