The Rubicon Trail
Rating: 10
The Rubicon Trail
is probably the most famous four-wheel drive trail in the
United States. The trail is very scenic, but also very long and challenging.
The Rubicon is not for everyone. On most trips, at least half the trucks experience
body damage and/or break parts.
Requirements:
To participate in TTORA Rubicon runs, you will need to have at least 33" tires
and one locker. You will also want to have rock sliders and high clearance bumpers.
Even the most experienced wheelers sometimes get into trouble on this trail, so
please be prepared.
Directions:
The most popular trailhead is at Loon Lake. Take highway 50 east from Placerville.
Approximately 21 miles past Placerville, turn left on Ice House road.
Follow Ice House road for about 25 miles. When you come to the fork in the road,
stay to the right. To the left is Wentworth Springs (the traditional Rubicon trailhead)
and to the right is Loon Lake, currently the most popular trailhead.
You will pass two dams while driving around the west side of Loon Lake.
At the end of the second dam, take a left and head down the spillway.
Climb up the granite slabs and head for the trees. As you drop down the other side,
stay to the right. This trail leads to the gatekeeper obstacle and the beginning
of the trail.
Gas Up:
If you are heading up from the valley, get gas in Placerville or Pollock Pines.
Gas is available at the Ice House resort, but it is very expensive.
If you are coming from Tahoe, gas up there.
GPS Coordinates:
Loon Lake Trailhead: N39° 0.177 W120° 18.680
Wentworth Springs Trailhead: N39° 0.768 W120° 20.370
Spider Lake: N39° 01.080 W120° 16.421
Click for Wide Area Map
Lots of awesome camping at Loon Lake. Make sure to find out about fire restrictions
and have a campfire permit. Campfire permits are free at all ranger stations.
|
The gatekeeper obstacle is quite a challenge. This is one of the more difficult spots
on the trail. If you and your rig have trouble here, the rest of the trail is not
going to be much fun.
|
Once through the gatekeeper the trail descends into the huge granite bowl.
It is easy to get lost here. Make note of the tire tracks and drops of oil.
|
Once you have found your way out of the granite bowl, the next obstacle is Walker Hill.
Steep and strewn with many large boulders, Walker Hill has claimed many trucks.
|
Spider Lake is a great place to stop and take a swim. If you prefer quiet camping,
Spider Lake is probably not a good choice on weekends.
|
Leaving Spider Lake you will cross some wet areas on the way to the Old Sluice.
There are two routes here. To the north is the easier 'slab' route bypassing the Old Sluice.
Taking the fork to the right will lead you on a challenging trail directly to the Old Sluice.
|
Once through the Old Sluice, it's an easy cruise to Buck Island Lake.
Some of the best camping spots on the trail can be found here.
|
From Buck Island Lake, head down Big Sluice to Rubicon Springs.
There is no bypass for the Big Sluice. Be happy that gravity is your friend.
|
Rubicon Springs is privately owned. Please respect the property, and make sure
to pay the camping dues if you stay the night.
|
The last difficult spot on the trail is heading up Cadillac Hill towards Lake Tahoe.
It is very steep and has several large boulders and off-camber spots.
Take your time and pick your lines carefully. An accident here could result in disaster.
|
At the top of Cadillac Hill is observation point.
This is a great spot to pose for pictures and celebrate your accomplishment.
From here there are a few more rock piles to navigate, but generally it's an
easy drive to Tahoe.
|
Links to more Rubicon pictures:
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/album46
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/album34
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/album33
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/rubi_clean_02
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/mcr2
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/rubicon_takeover_2002
|
