Rubicon Trail

[landshark]

I want to do the rubicon trail before it too closes or gets shortened any more.

After some discussion, i am going to set August 22 -24 for the dates to run the Rubicon, that leaves two days before and two days after to travel to and from California.

The 22nd is a Saturday so theoretically if you left Denver on the evening of the 20th you could make it to the trail head by Saturday morning. I am giving us three days to run it as frankly I want to enjoy it :)

Anyway, wanted to get the dates set so that we can work on the logistics/trail run itself.

[ZOSO]

following.... Im interested.

[horseplay]

Definitely on my bucket list.

[Moab Mike]

Lifelong dream! I want to be there even if I am riding shotgun in someone else's rig. It's hard to get my bronco ready from so far away.

[pgilbeau]

Count me in, I will plan to block out time.

[crawlercreations]

Sounds like a good trip. I'll plan on it.

[Justin]

Way in. That's a bucket list trail for me.

[ZOSO]

If I remember right Chad said he has room for trucks n trailers. I would likely trailer out if there is a secure spot for truck n trailer parking. Guess I'll make my list of needs to have done by then and get busy.

[Strike2]

Count me in on this trail for sure!

[TOOLMAN]

I'm interested, but have previously committed to golf Bandon Dunes in 2020. Our golf trip is usually in September. We'll just have to see!

[Kinder]

I’d love to go, I’ll plan on it and try to work my schedule (and the boy’s schedule) to make it happen.

[pgilbeau]

If I remember right Chad said he has room for trucks n trailers. I would likely trailer out if there is a secure spot for truck n trailer parking. Guess I'll make my list of needs to have done by then and get busy.

Definitely would trailer it out if there is room for a truck and trailer.

[Gunnibronco]

If I remember right Chad said he has room for trucks n trailers. I would likely trailer out if there is a secure spot for truck n trailer parking. Guess I'll make my list of needs to have done by then and get busy.

I haven't been watching the Staging Area posts until I read there were plans for a Rubi trip.

Although I haven't posted much, the new shop is coming together and I should be in it eventually. First priority is my 74. It will be ready for this trip. Hopefully I will have run some or all of the trail before you all arrive. I can likely get a few locals to come with, if you don't mind a Jeep or two.

I have some room at my house for trucks and trailers, but not a ton. I expect I can find a few folks around here who wouldn't mind some of us parking on their property for the trip. There is truck and trailer parking at the Lake Tahoe trailhead. But I'm not sure how full up it will be. That trail head is about 1 hour drive from my house.

As the date approaches, lets get a solid list of who's coming, how many trucks & trailers, etc and I'll do my best to find spaces for everyone.

I'm stoked you all will be coming my way and will be happy to see everyone again!

[Jesus_man]

Also a bucket list trail for me. We will be moving a year from now, so depending on where, I might be able to join?? I would most likely be trailering mine as well.

[ZOSO]

Also a bucket list trail for me. We will be moving a year from now, so depending on where, I might be able to join?? I would most likely be trailering mine as well.

Moving again? Man you move around a lot. But that's ok. Not a lot of people get to experience multiple parts of the country let alone the world.

Hope you would be able to make this trip.

[Jesus_man]

Yep. So ready to be done with IL!! Hoping we get to go WEST! Should know more in a few months. Uncle Sam isn't know for being the most organized.

And for the record - Moving every four years pretty much sucks! There are some nice things about seeing new parts of the country, and sometimes we really enjoy a location. But the mountains of boxes that never seem to ever get unpacked is always overwhelming.

Anyway - Rubicon trail!!!

[landshark]

Thanks for the offer Chad, your just outside Carson city correct? I used to live in south lake for a while and remember it not being too far.

I will start to pull some info together and get it up on the main post, including a solid date.

It would be great to have a solid crew from Colorado. I have no issues with non-broncos running it with us either.

I know there is a 360 google street view of the entire trail as well if people want to get a preview of it.

[Kinder]

I’m sure there is info out there about minimum rig requirements, anyone know of an up to date source? I’m wondering about minimum tire size, body protection / sliders and traction aids like limited slip or lockers.

[horseplay]

I believe there is a Bronco club in Sacramento Ca. That was posting a Rubicon run might jet some help from them.

[Gunnibronco]

Thanks for the offer Chad, your just outside Carson city correct? I used to live in south lake for a while and remember it not being too far.

I will start to pull some info together and get it up on the main post, including a solid date.

I live in Gardnerville, NV, about 30 minutes south of Carson. 207/Kingsbury Grade is the easiest way up and down to South Lake.

I’m sure there is info out there about minimum rig requirements, anyone know of an up to date source? I’m wondering about minimum tire size, body protection / sliders and traction aids like limited slip or lockers.

I have some friends in the Sierra Stompers 4x4 Club, they are all regulars on the Rubicon. A few just made the trip a couple weeks ago. I'll touch base and get their recommendations.

EDIT: They are making the run next week. Their FB post recommends 35's and 1 locker minimum.

[pgilbeau]

They are making the run next week. Their FB post recommends 35's and 1 locker minimum.

I have seen the 35's and locker on most places I have searched for info. Additionally lots of mentions of sliders/rocker protection.

[ZOSO]

add proper skid plates also.

[cw72]

I’m in, I know a guy in Reno that runs the trail often, he may be good to have along.

I’ll drive both ways as well.


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[BroncoCrawler]

I ran it 4 yrs ago. 35's with arbs, sliders, and bumpers. Never winched. Did tag the grille by the headlight on the way out on cadaliac hill (only damage from the trip). Also trail condition is greatly different depending on how recent Jeep jamboree has been through. They stack rocks like to get stock Jeeps through.

There are bypasses to harder obstacles however think of even the "easy" part as being in the spring Creek rock garden for 2 days straight. It really is an amazing trip and definitely one of the best wheeling trips I've ever been on.

I'll keep an eye on this thread and see if I can answer questions you all may have.

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[Rox Crusher]

I better start getting ready

[Gunnibronco]

Here are highlights from the newsletter the local club just sent out regarding their upcoming trip on the Rubicon. They do this every summer, many members run it more than once a year, so they are a great source of info. They are starting at the Loon Lake end of the trail and ending at Tahoma. I don't know why they choose this route, but I will get more information about that. Loon Lake is about 90 miles from my home and about 2 hours drive according to Google.

Information:
I'm requesting you and your vehicle be prepared to run this trail with experience on difficult trails and know your vehicles capabilities, this is a difficult trail that will test your skill if you have never been on the Rubicon Trail. If you are unsure and have questions feel free to ask, I will leave my contact info below.
That being said have food & drinks for 3 days and 2 nights, your camp gear, recovery gear & tools specific to your rig, spare fluids, tow straps, spare tire, spare parts, skid plates etc, this will make this more enjoyable if unfortunate happens which it does on a trail like this knowing your vehicles limits are key.
Good ground clearance, differential lockers, and tire size play a roll in how hard or moderate the trail can be. I would recommend a minimum of 33" tires with at least one diff locker but two is better, and vehicle armor protection to keep vehicle damage to a minimum. The Rubicon Trail is also pack it in pack it out trail that means everything, there are bathrooms occasionally on the trail in places but a portable toilet is a good idea and thing to have with waste bags.

http://rubiconsprings.com/rubicon-trail-map/

Plan on Trail:
Day 1, so after we air down at Loon Lake we will make our way down towards "Steaks & Stories" near or around the Beer Tree and check things out in Granite Bowl area. The plan is to camp near or at Buck Island Lake area on day one depending on how busy it is, which is probably very likely with events like "Steaks and Stories" going on and the "Rubithon" is also coming to a end that weekend which most of them will be heading out Sunday.

Day 2, is to head to Rubicon Springs and camp and enjoy the area. Rubicon Springs does require a overnight per vehicle camp fee of , I can't remember exactly but it is like $10 or $12 per night. I will find out!
There is a slight possibility of camping there 2 nights if Buck Island area is packed or somewhere near there.

Day 3, Pack up camp and go up Cadillac Hill and make our way to Observation Point then to Tahoma, Ca.

[dbasile]

I'm game. Sounds like it could be a fun trip. I would prefer to trailer there too.

[Gunnibronco]

I went to the Sierra Stompers meeting last week and talked with a couple guys very familiar with the Rubicon. They said there will certainly be people interested in coming on the trip with our club. There is also a member who recently moved here from Englewood and his friends might come out for a Rubicon run. We mentioned coordinating weekends, but who knows.

The only other thing worth posting is the reason they run from Loon Lake to Tahoma, instead of the other way around. They said it makes the trip home shorter at the end of the trail. This makes it an easier drive if someone is damaged or has to get a trailer to get home. Otherwise either direction is fine.

[landshark]

I went to the Sierra Stompers meeting last week and talked with a couple guys very familiar with the Rubicon. They said there will certainly be people interested in coming on the trip with our club. There is also a member who recently moved here from Englewood and his friends might come out for a Rubicon run. We mentioned coordinating weekends, but who knows.

The only other thing worth posting is the reason they run from Loon Lake to Tahoma, instead of the other way around. They said it makes the trip home shorter at the end of the trail. This makes it an easier drive if someone is damaged or has to get a trailer to get home. Otherwise either direction is fine.

Thanks for the info Chad, I am thinking about nailing down a date, leaning towards the weekend of the 19th of September 2020.

[Justin]

Any chance this can happen before school starts?