Rubicon Trail Trail designation and management ..

Here is what is going on with Rubicon Trail.

Please take time over the next two weeks to write a letter. Read this over (I know its long) This is something that we all SHOULD do (write a letter).. This is one more way to get involved with the fight to keep trails open..

Maps can be found here:
http://www.edcgov.us/Rubicon/

Boss
Quote from Scott Johnston:

Post #1Scott Johnston wrote21 hours ago

Below is the routes identified by El Dorado County and the options they are looking at for management of individual and alternate routes. It is important to note that these are just a few multiple routes along a trail that is 22 miles in length, 12 of which are under EDC jurisdiction.

Your help is needed to comment on each of these routes. Please send to vickie.sanders@edcgov.us by December 31

Thanks for taking time this Holiday season,

Scott[quote]Rubicon Trail Route Recognition Options

For discussion at ROC meeting of 12-10-09
The following items are marked on the DOT map entitled “Proposed Rubicon Trail Route” as items A through Q. CGS references are to the map produced by the California Geologic Survey. The route that CGS identified as the main Rubicon Trail is designated as CGS 1.0. Other CGS references are to bypasses or alternate routes designated as CGS 1.1 through 1.11.

[b]A. Vicinity of Postpile (CGS 1.3, 1.4, 1.5)[/b]
The current mapping is unclear. The lower route to the east appears to be the narrow, more difficult, older Postpile route (CGS 1.0). The upper route on the left appears to be the newer and easier route (CGS 1.4) used by vehicles to avoid the more difficult route. These routes separate at 39°00'49.80"N and 120°18'55.62"W, then there is a connection between them at 39°00'51.46"N and 120°18'54.99"W, and then they rejoin at 39°00'54.41"N and 120°18'55.93"W. Several other routes are present but do not appear to be currently used (CGS 1.3, 1.5). Aerial photos may clarify the routes.

Options:

1. Keep both the more difficult Postpile Route (CGS 1.0 ?) plus an alternate route (CGS 1.4 ?), eliminating all other routes (CGS 1.3, 1.5 ?).

2. Limit use to the single Postpile route (CGS 1.0 ?) only, close all alternate routes (CGS 1.3, 1.4, 1.5?).


[b]B. Top of Postpile (No CGS Reference)[/b]

After passing the top of the Postpile, the shelf road empties onto a granite slab through fading trees at a clear intersection at 39°00'55.46"N and 120°18'51.51"W. The lower route to the right and the southeast (CGS 1.0), is the historic trail that goes through Lost Sluice at 39°00'59.57"N and 120°18'36.94"W. The upper route on the left and the northwest crosses flatter slabs and allows safer winter access. Both routes join back together at 39°01'5.91"N and 120°18'34.94"W before entering the trees.

B. Top of Postpile (continued)

Options:

1. Create a trail corridor and manage both routes within the corridor by applying BMPs. If BMP’s fail then individual routes can be closed.

2.Limit usage to the lower Lost Sluice route (CGS 1.0) only, and close the other upper route.

3.Limit usage to the upper route only, and close the lower Lost Sluice route (CGS 1.0).


[b]C. Ellis Creek Campground Stub (USFS Road 14N34B) (No CGS reference)[/b]

West of Ellis Creek at 39°01'20.53"N and 120°18'25.39"W, there is an intersection where a historic route (USFS Road No. 14N34B- also known as the McKinstry Trail) splits off uphill and to the north, and the original trail proceeds straight to the east.

Options:

1. No action. Road 14N34B is not a part of the Rubicon Trail, and is subject to USFS jurisdiction.


[b]D. Trail Split After Ellis Creek (CGS 1.6)[/b]

After Ellis Creek at 39°01'22.23"N and 120°18'14.68"W, there is an intersection where an easier bypass splits off uphill and to the north (CGS 1.6), and the original trail proceeds straight to the east (CGS 1.0). The bypass runs parallel with the trail and rejoins it near 39°01'22.41"N and 120°18'09.25"W. Usage of the original trail causes more sedimentation than the bypass.

Options:

1. Create a trail corridor and manage both routes within the corridor by using BMPs. If BMP’s fail then individual routes can be closed.

2. Close the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and use the bypass (CGS 1.6) only.




[b]E. Soup Bowl (No CGS reference)[/b]

At Soup Bowl, there is an intersection at 39°01'17.50"N and 120°16'47.95"W where a newer and more challenging bypass splits off uphill and to the north, and the original trail (CGS 1.0) proceeds straight to the east through an off-camber granite notch. The bypass runs parallel with the trail and joins back in near 39°01'17.15"N and 120°16'47.48"W. Vehicles can become stuck on bypass and threaten to roll over onto the original trail, creating a safety hazard and potentially blocking the main trail.

Options:

1. Create a trail corridor and manage both routes within the corridor by using BMPs. If BMP’s fail then individual routes can be closed.

2. Limit usage to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, close bypass.



[b]F. West of Winter Camp (CGS 1.7)[/b]

After descending the stair steps, there is an intersection near 39°01'17.33"N and 120°16'42.83"W where a bypass (CGS 1.7) splits off directly downhill and to the west, while the original trail (CGS 1.0) proceeds due east and downhill into a drainage. The bypass parallels the original trail and joins it near 39°01'17.05"N and 120°16'39.23"W.

Options:

1. Close the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and use the bypass (CGS 1.7) only.

2. Limit use to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, and close the bypass (CGS 1.7).


[b]G, H, I and J. Little Sluice and its Bypasses [/b]

The original trail through Little Sluice (CGS 1.0) follows a deep seam in the granite that runs almost straight to the southeast with granite cliffs on the north, and a smooth granite slope on the south. Large rocks have fallen into the trail making passage difficult for all but extreme vehicles.

At 39°01'14.79"N and 120°16'31.95"W, two alternate routes head due east and uphill from the original trail, before Little Sluice proper. The bypass to the
G, H, I and J. Little Sluice and its Bypasses (continued)

east, closest to the Little Sluice, is called the Little Sluice Short Bypass (G on map, CGS 1.9). The bypass further East is called the Little Sluice Long Bypass (item H on map, CGS 1.8). A proposed bypass over the smooth granite to the south and west of Little Sluice is called the Little Sluice South Bypass (I on DOT map, no CGS reference).

General Options for Little Sluice Area:

1. Create a trail corridor and manage all of the routes within the corridor using BMP’s. All routes within the corridor may be open initially, but any individual routes will be closed until satisfactory conditions are achieved using BMP’s.

2. Create a trail corridor and manage all of the routes within the corridor using BMPs. Only the main Little Sluice route will be open initially. Other routes within the corridor can be opened when it can be demonstrated that they will meet satisfactory conditions are achieved using BMP’s.

3. Limit usage to the single Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) only, eliminating all other routes (CGS 1.8 and 1.9, and map item I).

4. Reduce the rock size in Little Sluice by controlled splitting of the largest rocks into quarters or thirds.


[b]G. Little Sluice Short Bypass (CGS 1.9)[/b]

This lower, shorter route to the north and east of main Little Sluice was maintained in 2003 with County, Forest, and FOTR cooperation. It lies close to and parallel with the main Little Sluice, rejoining it just past the Little Sluice at 39°01'10.53"N and 120°16'24.41"W. This is the shortest summer bypass, but is dangerous in winter and late spring from ice and snow on steep slopes.

Options (in conjunction with general options discussed above):

1.Keep both the traditional Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the Short Bypass (CGS 1.9) as the only two routes through this area.

2.Eliminate this bypass.


[b]H. Little Sluice Long Bypass (CGS 1.8)[/b]

This upper, longer bypass going easterly around the traditional Little Sluice route dates back to the early 1900s and provides access to camping and helicopter landing areas. It follows more gently sloping terrain and is the safest winter route, at 39°01'09.75"N and 120°16'20.20"W.

Options (in conjunction with general options discussed above):

1. Keep both the traditional Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the Long Bypass (CGS 1.8) as the only two routes through this area.

2. Eliminate this bypass.

[b]
I. Little Sluice South Bypass (No CGS reference)[/b]

A less-used bypass skirts Little Sluice to the south, staying on smooth granite from near 39°01'13.12"N and 120°16'29.27"W to 39°01'12.08"N and 120°16'26.66"W.

Options (in conjunction with general options discussed above):

1. Keep both the traditional Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the South Bypass (no CGS reference) as the only two routes through this area.

2. Eliminate this bypass.


[b]J. Thousand Dollar Hill Bypass (east end of CGS 1.8)[/b]

The original trail descends tall ledges that have become virtually impassible. As a result, most traffic takes the Thousand Dollar Hill bypass from 39°01'10.31"N and 120°16'19.81"W northwest to 39°01'11.07"N and 120°16'20.30"W. Thousand Dollar Hill itself is a loose, rocky climb with several dangerous off-camber spots. There is no separate CGS reference for this bypass, which is at the east end of CGS 1.8.

Options (in conjunction with general options discussed above):

1.Keep both the traditional Little Sluice route (CGS 1.0) and the Thousand Dollar Hill bypass (east end of CGS 1.8) as the only two routes.

2.Eliminate this bypass.

[b]
K. Middle Sluice Trail (CGS 1.10) and Indian Trail (CGS 1.0)[/b]

The original trail (CGS 1.10) is called either Middle Sluice, Old Sluice, True Sluice, or Flatfender Alley, with its southern third commonly referred to as the Old Sluice Box. The Middle Sluice trail goes through tight cliffs and boulders to the southeast. The Indian Trail (CGS 1.0) diverges from the Middle Sluice trail just past Arnold's Rock near 39°00'49.56"N and 120°15'59.93"W and descends downhill due east, following an easy slope and rejoining the Middle Sluice trail at 39°00'25.27"N and 120°15'41.75"W. Indian Trail is a well-defined alternate route across the granite slabs northeast of Old Sluice, first laid out in the early 1900's by Vic Wikander, and currently used by most vehicles. The Old Sluice Box is challenging for most vehicles, and is challenging to maintain.

Options:

1.Keep both the Middle Sluice route (CGS 1.10) and the Indian Trail route (CGS 1.0). Mark the Middle Sluice Trail as difficult.

2.Keep the Indian Trail (CGS 1.0) and close the Middle Sluice route (CGS 1.10).


[b]L. Buck Island Trail (CGS 1.0) and Bypass (No CGS reference)[/b]

The original trail (CGS 1.0) went close to the former shore of Buck Island Lake, but when the lake level was raised by SMUD as part of a hydro project, the original trail is now partly submerged depending on the time of year, weather, and SMUD operations. At 39°00'16.24"N and 120°15'06.71"W, where the main trail (CGS 1.0) goes down to lake level, the Buck Island Bypass (no CGS reference) splits off to the north and east and follows the contour of the hillside. This more-or-less level route rejoins the original trail as it climbs back up from lake level near 39°00'15.66"N and 120°15'00.56"W. The Buck Island Bypass goes across a loose, rocky, side hill that is occasionally unsafe. SMUD is obligated as a condition to its hydro license to improve the bypass.

Options:

1. Close the original route (CGS 1.0), and improve the bypass by using BMP’s.


[b]M. Wentworth Springs Campground Bypass (CGS 1.1)[/b]

A user-created bypass (CGS 1.1) goes around a low lying area that held water prior to the road maintenance done by DOT and FOTR in 2006 and 2007. That maintenance has improved the main route to where it now meets CAO objectives.

Options:

1. Create a trail corridor and manage both routes within the corridor by using BMPs. If BMP’s fail then individual routes can be closed.

2. Limit use to the single traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, closing the bypass (CGS 1.1).


[b]N. Granite bypass west of Postpile (CGS 1.2)[/b]

The route that CGS designated as CGS 1.2 is the original trail, and CGS 1.0 is actually a user-created bypass. The bypass goes over granite around a low lying area.

Options:

1. Create a trail corridor and manage both routes within the corridor by using BMPs. If BMP’s fail then individual routes can be closed.

2. Limit use to the original trail (CGS 1.2) only, closing the bypass (CGS 1.0).

3. Limit use to the bypass (CGS 1.0) only, closing the original route (CGS 1.2).

[b]O. Pleasant Meadow Route (aka Ellis Intertie) (CGS 2.1, 2.1a, 2.2)[/b]

The main route currently used (CGS 2.0) was created by the grant of easements to the County from the underlying landowners (USFS and private property owners). The former routes (CGS 2.1, 2.1a and 2.2) across Pleasant Meadow are no longer used. This is the preferable arrangement, and no changes are being suggested.

[b]P. Mud Lakes Trail Re-route (not identified by CGS)[/b]

This is a proposed trail re-route approximately ½ mile in length that would replace the existing trail between the benchmark east of Walker (“BM” on the DOT map) and the bottom of Little Sluice. This proposal may be considered in the future to direct users away from the original trail which passes through a problematic drainage area, thus avoiding map items E, F, G, H, and I. The proposed re-route is to the south of the original trail, and would be on a high line over granite.

Options:

1.Keep the traditional route (CGS 1.0) and consider creating a new southerly route.

2.Reroute the trail on the new southerly route and close the traditional route (CGS 1.0).


[b]Q. Alternate Route Near Placer County Line (CGS 1.11)[/b]

Users created a bypass (CGS 1.11) on privately owned land just south of where the Rubicon Trail enters Placer County. The owners of the underlying land have determined to grant an easement to the traditional route (CGS 1.0) only.

Options:

1. Limit use to the traditional route (CGS 1.0) only, eliminate bypass (CGS 1.11).