Rubicon Trail - El Dorado Co. California
Posted by: 
sbcamper
N 39° 00.222 W 120° 18.766
10S E 732697 N 4320622
Since the 1960's a favored jeep and 4WD trail that requires patience, driving skill, mechanical skill, and a skid plate. Seasonal use from June to September at 4,000 to 7,000 elevation.
Waymark Code: WMPQVF
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 10/09/2015
Views: 6
The Rubicon Trail sometimes started to the east from Wentworth Springs. There is now a paved highway in that area. Caravans and 4WD clubs generally make it a weekend overnight trip through the El Dorado National Forest and the Sierra Nevada range and exiting at the Tahoma end of Lake Tahoe. Today most folks catch the trail from Loon Lake - where the pavement ends and continue east over granite, through a rocky trough known as "sluicebox". Volunteer trail bosses keep the way free of windfall trees. Barbecues and repairs commence at Rubicon Springs. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" goes back to Julius Caesar's time in Italy. Crossing the Rubicon River was a political boundary then. "alea iacta est" (the die is cast) I. e. point of no return. It is a single wide, non maintained county road. Today, it is a badge of perseverance.
El Dorado County now has a permanent, seasonal deputy for guidance and to encourage safety on the trail. (spell that sober drivers). The "sluicebox" is one place to take a stretch and allow the driver a solo opportunity, or to cheer on others who are delaying the route.
Most vehicles carry trash bags and abide by the pack it in/pack it out code. The trip is not recommended for pregnant moms or children under 6 or 12 or parental judgment and supervision required.
By general agreement it is traveled west to east.
Overall Trail Difficulty: Extreme 4x4 material!
Land Ownership: Public
Popularity: Crowded
Highest Altitude: 7,000 ft.
Trail Length (approx): 25 miles
Parking availble?: No
Room for Trailers: No
Permit required to access area?: No
Camping sites nearby: Maybe
Are OHVs permitted: Yes
Additional Trailhead: Not Listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Before posting your log be sure that you have a picture of you, your group, or the wheelin rig on the trail. In your log please post a little bit about your experience on the trail(s). (Would you recommend this to others? Etc...) Optional: If you have a topo map to upload with your track log information that is always welcome!