Trail Conditions-Fall

El Dorado County: Fall is upon us, and that means Winter can be here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains any minute. Before you leave, check our NOAA weather forecast at Spider Lake. It can snow suddenly, so be prepared!!  Extra food, warm clothes, at least a 3 season tent (a 4 season tent is HIGHLY recommended), and a plan!  Highly recommend you watch our Winter Wheeling Series on YouTube. The Fall can be a wonderful time on the trail, less crowds, less bugs, but you just have to be ready and prepared for good weather to change dramatically.

Placer County: Same as El Dorado County.

RTF Property: Open 24/7/365.  If you do not know the Granite View Loop, our 2.2 mile trail around our property, we highly recommend OnX Off-Road App or CartoTracks on the Map page. For OnX, download our folder with all important locations and trail markers.  In the Fall, be aware before you go down Trash Can Hill where the winch points are located, just in case the snow comes and you need to get out.

Purple Air Quality Instructions

The number can change, but click the Air Quality station at Spider Lake!

 

Tahoma
(East Trail Exit)

 

Tahoma,CA

Ice House Road Area Weather (West Side Entrance)

 

Kyburz, CA

 

CalTrans District 3 (Sacramento/Lake Tahoe)

Traffic Cameras

 

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

The Rubicon Trail travels through the El Dorado and
Tahoe National Forests, and is often under fire
restrictions, even if the trail and it's surroundings seem
wet. Users must be responsible for knowing whether
fire restrictions are in force.

KNOW YOUR FIRE RESTRICTION STAGES
  • No Restrictions: Wood, charcoal, and gas fires are allowed in the general forest and some remote campgrounds when in possession of a valid permit.
  • Stage 1: Wood fires (campfires) and charcoal fires (barbeques) are allowed only in designated developed campgrounds on this forest. Gas stoves, propane firepits and lanterns can be used in the general forest when in possession of a valid permit.
  • Stage 2: No Fires are allowed in the forest including the campgrounds. Gas stoves, propane firepits and lanterns can be used in the forest only when in possession of a valid permit.
  • Full: No fires allowed, including gas stoves and lanterns, in the forest.

 

USFS FIRE RESTRICTION INFORMATION
ELDORADO

 

TAHOE

 

GET A FIRE PERMIT

DRIVING RESTRICTIONS

The Rubicon Trail is open for motorized travel 24/7 and 365 days a year unless subject to environmental events, such as fires. But it is not subject to USFS closures due to Travel Management.  This is due to hard work between El Dorado County, Rubicon Trail Foundation, FOTR and all the users that volunteer to meet the criteria of the easement conditions.  Only under severe conditions does the trail ever close, and this is usually lift as quickly as possible.

The road across the two dams at Loon Lake are open to winter motorized recreation.

We at RTF fully support the enforcement of the driving off the trail and resource damage laws.

 

SPRING

Winter run off is a great concern along the Rubicon. A motto we have heard is "Make dust not mud."

If you can put off your trip until the trail dries, please do so. 

This is the time of year that erosion damage can be done to the trail. 

Tread Lightly and Stay on Trail! If you can’t make the obstacle (water or granite) “Turn around, don’t go around!”

The bugs come out as the snow melt slows. Bring bug spray!

WINTER

Only the most prepared and built rigs should attempt winter travel on the Rubicon. If a critical part breaks, then you could be in the snow for days.

The walk out could be 10-15 miles.

Let people know when you’re going and when you’ll be back.

The ham repeater is now year round but it is not a reason to go in unprepared.

You could be held responsible for the cost of your rescue.

SUMMER

As the snow melt dries the fire danger increases.

  Please check this site and the Forest Service site for updates.

  The trail is quite crowded on the weekends.

  Please show some patience when slow downs occur.

FALL

 

  This time of year storms can move in fast.

  Be prepared for all types of weather.

  Fire restrictions could still be in place.