Rubicon Trail

[harley1615]

What time of the year dose the rubicon trail open or do they close it? I was wondering what time of year can you plan on traveling it? Thanks any info would be helpful.

[bigarms23]

it doesn't close some people run it in may or the end of april usually memorial day is when most of the snow is gone

[sweetmeat]

We usually run it in september. Weathers perfect

[Snowtoy]

I thought a few years back the FS and the County closed it during the spring run-off to keep the excess silt run-off to a minimum, or were they just discussing it?  Other than that you can run it anytime of year, while it is still open that is.

[harley1615]

Thanks for the info! I had heard that it maybe closed by the FS also for the run off. Dose anyone know a good contact person that maybe able to give a definite time when it open. I know it is probably like the trails here in Washington, they are open but the snow makes them impassible.

[Snowtoy]

The Rubicon is open during the winter, though I don't believe it is heavily traveled.  There are few of us(in comparison) that wheel/camp year round.  If you haven't snow wheeled, it is an experience/challenge all in its own.  Given the amount of people on the trails during the dry season, I have come to prefer snow wheeling to rocks.  Granted it is colder and we are more at the mercy of the elements, but after surviving a few camping trips in blizzard conditions, bad weather just makes it a more interesting outing.

The El Dorado FS would be the best ones to get a hold of to see when they would like people to stay off of it during the run-off periods.  If travel is being restricted during the spring run-off period, when that period is, is pretty much up to the weather.  If we have an early/hot restriction could be off by mid-may, if late/cool spring, it could be mid june, it is basically a crap shoot.  I have had 2' of snow fall on us in June on top of a 6' base, and other time have there be no snow and 80*.  Unfortunately the type of spring we have also effects campfire restrictions.  I imagine if you are going to make the trip you want the rocks, and be able to have a campfire, so June or late fall after the first rainfall/or heavy due is likely your best time.  With as far as you would be traveling, I would try to put aside 3-4 nights to be on the trail.  You can easily do it in a weekend, and there are some that can run it in a half day, but there is a lot to see and take in other than the rocks in front of you. 

If you weren't planning on running it until Fall, the Marlin Round-up in Sept. would be a good time.  I would recommend coming in on Thursday ahead of the round-up, wheel into Spider Lake and camp(if camping is allowed at the lake), or if made good time wheel onto to Buck Island.  Then pick up the Round-up group Saturday and wheel w/the group to the Springs, hang out at the Springs Sunday, and wheel out Monday.  In '07 it took over 9 hours to get from the Springs to the end of the trail at Lake Tahoe, due to the breakage, roll-overs, and towing of dead rigs that were ahead of us.

If you have 7-10 days time frame, you should also try to wheel the Fordyce Creek trail(before it is closed) while you are hear as well.  I would run the Rubicon first, then stay a night in South Lake Tahoe, hit the casino/buffet, then head out the next day to the trail.  Fordyce is only about 13 miles long, w/an easy way out for parts about halfway through at Fordyce lake.