FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Long Canyon Trail Clean up

Event Details

Time: April 11, 2015 from 9am to 3pm
Location: Kyburz, CA
Event Type: trail, run, clean, up
Organized By: DWH
Latest Activity: Apr 10, 2015

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Event Description

Long Canyon Trail is one of the 42 trails that have been closed in the El Dorado National Forest. (Some have since re-opened, but not this one) Since NorCal FJs has a volunteer agreement with the forest Service, we will be allowed to perform our trail maintenance duties in spite of the closure, In order to do this, I have to fill out a Special Use Permit with the Forest Service.

A .pdf file of the trail closures can be found here:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5364203.pdf

I am shooting for Saturday, 4/11. This will be subject to change depending on turnout. I would like to get as many rigs as we can, up to about 10 or so, to show our continued support of the trail. There will be trash pick up and likely some tree clearing.

Please post if you want to join in.

Here is my standard stuff regarding the trail.

NorCal FJs has adopted the Long Canyon Trail in the El Dorado National Forest and it is time to do another clean up run.
We will meet at the In-n-Out Burger in Placerville off of the Forni Road exit at 9:00 AM. I plan on leaving the parking lot by 9:15.
In the past, some people choose to camp nearby the night before. There are two campgrounds near the trail (China Flat and Silver Fork) and numerous places to set up dispersed camping. Just meet us at the trailhead at 11am. The improved campgrounds may still be closed this time of year, you will need to check.
You will need to fill out and turn in a Volunteer form before you will be allowed to participate. The form can be found at: http://norcalfjs.com/forum/topics/adoptatrail-longcanyon

If you have filled one out previously, you do not need to fill out another one.
See also: http://norcalfjs.com/forum/topics/trail-cleanup-and-clearing
Some trail information is below.

The trail is not hard. I have taken numerous first timers in stock FJs with no major consequences. Rock rails are required for the second obstacle and third obstacle if you have no lift. There are a total of three obstacles. The first two have bypasses, the third does not. There are also a couple of fairly steep climbs and an area with many 6” to 10” rocks to navigate. Again, nothing a stock FJ cannot handle.

A map of the area can be downloaded here: MAP
Placerville Ranger District Map - Side 2
Trail head coordinates are approximately:
38 45 N 120 15 W
If you are running late and miss us, getting to the trail is easy.
Continue up Hwy 50 toward Tahoe, just past Kyburz (about 30 min. from Placerville) take a right on Silverfork Road
A few miles up Silverfork Road, take a left on Long Canyon trail (dirt road)
Communications
CB on Ch 31
FRS on 7/31
HAM Frequency is 146.460 no tone. Please turn your radios to 5 watts or less once on the trail.
See Comms Info for standard group communications.
Bring a lunch, plenty of water and gloves.
Mobile phones do not work well in the trail area, except at the top.
Be prepared for changeable weather, but it will likely be cold.

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Comment by DWH on April 10, 2015 at 2:14pm: Thanks Don,

Looks like we should count on airing down to the 15 to 20 psi range.

Kyle also stated he wanted to get to the Cody Meadows trail this weekend. We will see how we can help him out with that.

Comment by donbrad (don) on April 10, 2015 at 2:05pm: Long Canyon Update as of 1:45 pm Friday.

Silver fork road (nf-7) is clear to long/ middle canyon entrance.

Long Canyon is clear up to 5000 ft. Above 5000ft, shady areas have 6-12in of snow. Above 5600 feet, most of the trail has 6-12in of snow. Above 5800 feet and at the start of the large rock incline, trail as 12-18 inches of snow with no vehicle tracks

Comment by DWH on April 10, 2015 at 9:19am: Looks like we have the official OK from the FS.
See you tomorrow.

Comment by donbrad (don) on April 10, 2015 at 7:25am: The snow is melting fast below 6000 ft. Daryl: i'll make run up silver fork after lunch and post an update and photos of the trailhead and middle canyon fork.

Comment by GHOST on April 9, 2015 at 10:08am: DWH- Looks like I will not be making it. Can't get out of work. Maybe I'll just meet you on the 18th on that run as I have that Saturday off.

Comment by DWH on April 7, 2015 at 10:08pm: The purpose of the trip is to clean up the trail and that will be a challenge if everything is buried in snow. I am not sure the Forest Service will let us go up there under those conditions. I will have to check with my contact on Thursday.

Comment by donbrad (don) on April 7, 2015 at 9:44pm: Update. The Kyburz area has 3 to 12 inches of snow accumulated as of tonight with an additional 2-8 inches forecast for tomorrow. China Flat and Silver Fork campgrounds are still closed. If any one going is traveling a distance and looking for a camp site, I can rustle up a warm dry place for the night.