Topic: Important meeting for Rubicon December 10th

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 As you may know, the County is reviewing its proposed routes to identify the trail formally. This ROC meeting is the second of two for public input on this issue.

Next Rubicon Oversight Committee meeting will be December 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Location: DOT Ready Room, 2441 Headington Rd. Placerville, CA 95667. Current discussion is the Rubicon Trail Route Recognition. Documents related to this item are below.

http://www.edcgov.us/Rubicon/pdf/RouteRecognition.pdf
http://www.edcgov.us/Rubicon/pdf/Pro...TrailRoute.pdf

The next post will be the text description for the routes. Please read them and understand them. What it means to you is that if routes are defined as a single route, bypasses will be closed and a single trail will be maintained for all vehicle travel.

What does this mean to you? Well, think of Little Sluice, Old Sluice and Postpile for example. If a single route, they will be maintained for all vehicle traffic. That would mean blasting for Little Sluice, losing the Old Sluice, and heavy work at Postpile to make it easier.

See you there,

Scott
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Rubicon Trail Route Recognition
The following items are listed in order from the west end of the trail proceeding east towards Rubicon Springs. Please consult DOT map entitled “Proposed Rubicon Trail Route” where the items are referenced by A, B, C, etc. CGS references are to the map produced by the California Geologic Survey. The route that CGS identified as the main Rubicon Trail is designated as CGS 1.0. Other CGS references are to bypasses or alternate routes. At the end of this paper are 5 additional items not shown on the DOT map.

A. Vicinity of Postpile (CGS 1.3, 1.4, 1.5)
There appears to be two routes currently used. The lower route to the east is the narrow, more difficult, older trail called the Postpile route (CGS 1.0). The upper route on the left is the newer and easier route (CGS ____). These routes separate at 39°00'49.80"N and 120°18'55.62"W, then there is a connection between them at 39°00'51.46"N and 120°18'54.99"W, and then they rejoin at 39°00'54.41"N and 120°18'55.93"W. Several other routes are present but do not appear to be used (CGS ___, ___, ___).
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor, and manage the routes within the corridor using BMPs.
3. Keep both the Postpile Route (CGS 1.0) and the easiest and least environmentally sensitive alternate route (CGS ____), eliminating all other routes (CGS ___, ___, ___).
4. Limit use to the single Postpile route (CGS 1.0) only, close all alternate routes (CGS ___, ___, ___).

B. Top of Postpile (No CGS Reference)
After passing the top of the Postpile, the shelf road empties onto a granite slab through fading trees at a clear intersection at 39°00'55.46"N and 120°18'51.51"W. The lower route to the right and the southeast (CGS 1.0), is the historic trail that goes through Lost Sluice at 39°00'59.57"N and 120°18'36.94"W. The upper route on the left and the northwest (CGS ___) is the newer route that crosses flatter slabs and allows safer winter access. Both routes join back together at 39°01'5.91"N and 120°18'34.94"W before entering the trees.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor, and manage the routes within the corridor by BMPs.
3. Keep both the traditional Lost Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the upper route (CGS ___).
4. Limit usage to the traditional lower Lost Sluice route (CGS 1.0) only, close other route (CGS ___).

C. Ellis Creek Campground Stub (USFS Road 14N34B) (No CGS reference)
West of Ellis Creek at 39°01'20.53"N and 120°18'25.39"W, there is an intersection where a historic route (USFS Road No. 14N34B- also known as the McKinstry Trail) splits off uphill and to the north, and the original trail proceeds straight to the east.
Options:
1. No action. Road 14N34B is not a part of the Rubicon Trail, and is subject to USFS jurisdiction.
2. ?

D. Trail Split After Ellis Creek (CGS 1.6)
After Ellis Creek at 39°01'22.23"N and 120°18'14.68"W, there is an intersection where an easier bypass splits off uphill and to the north (CGS 1.6), and the original trail proceeds straight to the east (CGS 1.0). The bypass runs parallel with the trail and joins back in near 39°01'22.41"N and 120°18'09.25"W. Usage of the original trail causes more sedimentation than the bypass.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor and manage the routes within the corridor by BMPs.
3. Close the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and use the bypass (CGS 1.6) only.
4. Limit use to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, close bypass (CGS 1.6).

E. Soup Bowl (No CGS reference)
At Soup Bowl, there is an intersection at 39°01'17.50"N and 120°16'47.95"W where a newer and more challenging bypass splits off uphill and to the north, and the original trail (CGS 1.0) proceeds straight to the east through an off-camber granite notch. The bypass runs parallel with the trail and joins back in near 39°01'17.15"N and 120°16'47.48"W. Vehicles can become stuck on bypass and threaten to roll over onto the original trail, creating a safety hazard and potential blockage.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor and manage routes within the corridor by BMPs.
3. Limit usage to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, close bypass.
4. Close the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and use the bypass only.

F. West of Winter Camp (CGS 1.7)
After descending the stair steps, there is an intersection near 39°01'17.33"N and 120°16'42.83"W where a bypass (CGS 1.7) splits off directly downhill and to the west, while the original trail (CGS 1.0) proceeds due east and downhill into a drainage. The bypass parallels the original trail and joins it near 39°01'17.05"N and 120°16'39.23"W.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor and manage the routes within the corridor by BMPs.
3. Close the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and use the bypass (CGS 1.7) only.
4. Limit use to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, close bypass (CGS 1.7).


G, H, I and J. Little Sluice and its Bypasses
The original trail through Little Sluice (CGS 1.0) follows a deep seam in the granite that runs almost straight to the southeast with granite cliffs on the north, and a smooth granite slope on the south.
At 39°01'14.79"N and 120°16'31.95"W, two alternate routes head due east and uphill from the original trail, before Little Sluice proper. The bypass to the east, closest to the Little Sluice, is called the Little Sluice Short Bypass (G on map, CGS 1.9). The bypass further East is called the Little Sluice Long Bypass (H on map, CGS 1.8 ). A proposed bypass over the smooth granite to the south and west of Little Sluice is called the Little Sluice South Bypass (I on map, CGS ___).
General Options for Little Sluice Area:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor and manage the routes within the corridor (CGS routes 1.0, 1.8, 1.9 and map item I) by BMPs.
3. Limit usage to the single Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) only, eliminating other routes (CGS 1.8 and 1.9, and map item I).
4. Reduce the rock size in Little Sluice by controlled splitting of the largest rocks into quarters or thirds.

G. Little Sluice Short Bypass (CGS 1.9)
This lower, shorter route to the north and east of main Little Sluice was maintained in 2003 with County, Forest, and FOTR cooperation. It lies close to and parallel with the main Little Sluice, rejoining it just past the Little Sluice at 39°01'10.53"N and 120°16'24.41"W. This is the shortest summer bypass, but is dangerous in winter and late spring from ice and snow on steep slopes.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Keep both the traditional Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the Short Bypass (CGS 1.9) as the only two routes.
3. Eliminate this bypass.

H. Little Sluice Long Bypass (CGS 1.8 )
This upper, longer bypass going easterly around the traditional Little Sluice route dates back to the early 1900s and provides access to camping and helicopter landing areas. It follows more gently sloping terrain and is the safest winter route, at 39°01'09.75"N and 120°16'20.20"W.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Keep both the traditional Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the Long Bypass (CGS 1.8 ) as the only two routes.
3. Eliminate this bypass.

I. Little Sluice South Bypass (No CGS reference)
A less-used bypass skirts Little Sluice to the south, staying on smooth granite from near 39°01'13.12"N and 120°16'29.27"W to 39°01'12.08"N and 120°16'26.66"W.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Keep both the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and the South Bypass (no CGS reference) as the only two routes.
3. Eliminate this bypass.

J. Thousand Dollar Hill Bypass (east end of CGS 1.8 )
The original trail descends tall ledges that have become virtually impassible. As a result, most traffic takes the Thousand Dollar Hill bypass from 39°01'10.31"N and 120°16'19.81"W northwest to 39°01'11.07"N and 120°16'20.30"W. Thousand Dollar Hill itself is a loose, rocky climb with several dangerous off-camber spots. There is no separate CGS reference for this bypass, which is at the east end of CGS 1.8.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Keep both the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and the Thousand Dollar Hill bypass (east end of CGS 1.8 ) as the only two routes.
3. Eliminate this bypass.

K. Middle Sluice Trail (CGS 1.10) and Indian Trail (CGS 1.10)
The original trail (CGS 1.10) is called Middle Sluice (or sometimes Old Sluice, True Sluice, or Flatfender Alley), with its southern third commonly referred to as Old Sluice Box. The Middle Sluice trail goes through tight cliffs and boulders to the southeast. The Indian Trail (CGS 1.0) splits off from the Middle Sluice trail just past Arnold's Rock near 39°00'49.56"N and 120°15'59.93"W and descends downhill due east, following an easy slope. The Indian Trail rejoins the Middle Sluice trail at 39°00'25.27"N and 120°15'41.75"W. Indian Trail is a well-defined alternate route across the granite slabs northeast of Old Sluice, first laid out in the early 1900's by Vic Wikander.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Keep both the Middle Sluice route (CGS 1.10) and the Indian Trail (CGS 1.0).
3. Limit usage to one of the two existing routes only.

L. Buck Island Trail (CGS 1.0) and Bypass (No CGS reference)
The original trail (CGS 1.0 0) went close by the shore of Buck Island Lake, but when the lake level was raised by SMUD as part of a hydro project, the original trail is now partly submerged depending on the time of year, weather, and SMUD operations. At 39°00'16.24"N and 120°15'06.71"W, where the main trail (CGS 1.0) goes down to lake level, the Buck Island Bypass (CGS ___) splits off to the north and east and follows the contour of the hillside. This more-or-less level alternate route rejoins the main trail as it climbs back up from lake level near 39°00'15.66"N and 120°15'00.56"W. The Buck Island Bypass goes across a loose, rocky, side hill that is occasionally unsafe. SMUD is obligated as a condition to its hydro license to improve the bypass.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Keep the original route (CGS 1.0) and the bypass, and manage using BMPs.
3. Limit use to the original route (CGS 1.0) route only, close bypass.
4. Close the original route (CGS 1.0), and improve the bypass.


OTHER ITEMS NOT SHOWN ON MAP
Several locations of concern are not shown on the current DOT Proposed Rubicon Trail Route map. They are listed below for discussion purposes

M. Wentworth Springs Campground Bypass (CGS 1.1)
A user-created bypass (CGS 1.1) goes around a low lying area that held water prior to the road maintenance done by DOT and FOTR in 2006 and 2007.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor, and manage the routes within the corridor by using BMPs.
3. Keep both the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and the bypass (CGS 1.1).
4. Limit use to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, closing the bypass (CGS 1.1).

N. Granite bypass west of Postpile (CGS 1.2)
CGS route 1.0 is actually a user-created bypass, and CGS route 1.2 is the original trail. The bypass goes over granite around a low lying area.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor, and manage the routes within the corridor by using BMPs.
3. Keep both the traditional route (CGS 1.2) and the bypass (CGS 1.0).
4. Limit use to the single original trail (CGS 1.2) only, closing the bypass (CGS 1.0).
5. Limit use to the bypass (CGS 1.0) only, closing the traditional route (CGS 1.2).

O. Ellis Intertie Route (CGS 2.1, 2.1a, 2.2)
The main route currently used (CGS 2.0) was created by the grant of easements to the County from the underlying landowners. The former routes (CGS 2.1, 2.1a and 2.2) are no longer used. This is a preferable arrangement, and no changes are being suggested.

P. Mud Lakes Trail Re-route (not identified by CGS)
This is a proposed trail re-route approximately ˝ mile in length that would replace the existing trail between the benchmark east of Walker and the bottom of Little Sluice. This proposal may be considered in the long term planning process to direct users away from the original trail which passes through a problematic drainage area. The proposed re-route is to the south of the original trail, and would be on a high line over granite.
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor, and manage the routes within the corridor by using BMPs.
3. Keep the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and consider creating a new southerly route as a long term possibility for managing this section of the trail.

Q. Alternate Routes Near Placer County Line (CGS 1.11)
Options:
1. No action.
2. Create a trail corridor and manage the routes within the corridor by BMPs.
3. Close the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and use the bypass (CGS 1.11) only.
4. Limit use to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, close bypass (CGS 1.11).
11/19/2009