FJ Cruisers of Northern California

El Dorado National Forest Trail Pre-Run

There is a trail that I travel several times each year and I am wondering if anyone would be interested in running it as well. The trail is not terribly difficult for the most part, but there are a couple parts I would say were moderate. I have done the moderate parts on my own with my stock FJ.

There is a catch though. I went up there a couple of weeks ago and there is a 24" to 30" tree down across the trail. So there is some trail maintenance to do. I talked with the Forest Service Office up here and they said as long as we are not removing the wood from the forrest, it is ok to cut and remove it from the trail.

A map of the area can be found at the following website http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/recreation/travel/index.shtml

The map is named MVUMPlacervilleSide02.pdf and the trail head coordinates are approximately:
38 45 N
120 15 W

I can bring some tools and rent a chainsaw if no one has one. There are some interesting views along the way (see photo below)

If there is interest, we can set up a date that works.

Let me know.

Added Information

So far it looks like the 20th of June is the date of choice. I have some concern about snow still being on the ground at the top of the trail and I will make a run up to the area to check it out prior to the trip. If there is snow, it would be very difficult to make it as the trail gets fairly steep close to the top. I would imagine that by June 20th it should be clear.

How far away are people coming from?

I would like to leave the start point by 9 or 9:30 if possible, but if there are many people coming from farther away we could make it a bit later if needed.

As a start point, let's meet in the Safeway parking lot in Cameron Park. The address is actually Shingle Springs on most map software.

3380 Coach Ln
Shingle Springs, CA 95682

This should give us plenty of space and a place to pick up any last minute items.

NEW INFORMATION

If we have a tree clearing run this Saturday, it looks like these people are interested.

Pkelly72
Sonof40
EstySalinas
BKReese
BigFish
DHeigher

05/28 Update

I just checked the weather report for the trail area and there is a 20% chance of thunder storms on Saturday. I will still go unless it ends up pouring rain. If you are still willing to go, let me know and be at the Safeway Parking lot listed above at 8:00. We will leave at about 8:15 or so.
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 Cameron Park) take a right on Silverfork Road
A few miles up Silverfork Road, take a left on Long Canyon trail (dirt road)
The tree is down a mile or two down the trail. The Forest Service Map is pretty good to follow.

I will have a CB on Ch 31 and 7/31 on FSR. Mobile phones do not work well in the trail area.

I have secured the use of two chainsaws, so I do not think we will need any more.

Be prepared for changeable weather.

See you there.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DivnGirl on May 22, 2009 at 4:12pm

Dheigher, I'd definitely be interested! Depending on the date and all.

Permalink Reply by bkreece on May 22, 2009 at 5:57pm

I'm interested. I could probably barrow a chain saw to help clear the trail as well.

Permalink Reply by DWH on May 22, 2009 at 6:26pm

Cool, I am glad there is some interest!
Let's see if we get a few more people and we can start talking about a date.

Permalink Reply by jr vong on May 23, 2009 at 2:26pm

put me down.

Permalink Reply by DWH on May 24, 2009 at 9:13pm

I would like to start deciding on date for the trip. I will start with June 6/7th or 20/21. Let me know if you can make either of these dates or suggest another.

Permalink Reply by DivnGirl on May 24, 2009 at 10:21pm

I'm a no go for the 6th/7th. The 20th/21st is ideal...I've got a 4 day weekend! The following weekend works too. Steve/potatoe was talking a little about an Eagle Lakes run that weekend too...not sure if those plans are still in the works or up in the air.

Permalink Reply by jr vong on May 25, 2009 at 8:13am

no go with june 6/7. 20/21 is good.

Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on May 25, 2009 at 6:08pm

I might be interested in going. It all depends on if I'm here. I'll keep a look out for the dates.

Permalink Reply by Estysalinas on May 25, 2009 at 9:21pm

Keep us posted...if i'm available that weekend I would be up to go.

Permalink Reply by BigFish on May 25, 2009 at 11:14pm

I have a big saw and love to cut wood. 6/22 - we will be at Loon lake for a few days. So the 2/21 might work for me. I am good on 6th or 7th as well. I was up behind Ice House 2 weeks ago and it was still snowed up. Creeks are running high. Could not get close to Wrights Lake.

PS: Just returned home from the NorCal/SoCal meet! What a great group. NorCal did a great job showing early, showing big, best bar, best fire, best kitchen, best rigs. I think we won the most raffle prizes as well. I took the long way home via SLO and a beach hit. I saw a few FJs going south on 101 and I5. Some rigged up with lot of gear like us. A few with boats - that is always good.

Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on May 26, 2009 at 10:06am

That's the Rubithon week end but that shouldn't matter. Sounds like fun. Can this tree be winched off the road?

Permalink Reply by DWH on May 26, 2009 at 2:49pm

I did not measure the tree but it looks to 24 to 30 inches in diameter and 50+ feet long and so could weigh as much as 20,000 lbs. It is also diagonal across the trail and tangled in the trees on either side of the trail. I doubt we could pull it out with out cutting it. Having a winch available may be a big help though.