Rubicon, West Side

Total Miles
5.3

Elevation

2057.55 ft

Duration

8 Hours

Technical Rating

8

Difficult

Best Time

Summer

Trail Overview

Difficulty

Difficult: West Side is dominated by open granite tracts interspersed with tight boulder fields and tall ledges. Lockers, lifts, 33" minimum tire size and skilled driver recommended. Optional Little Sluice and Old Big Sluice significantly increase difficulty.

History

The Rubicon Trail has a long history dating back to 1844. Rubicon Springs once had a hotel, but in 1908 it was destroyed by 8-ft.- deep flood waters. Even today, Rubicon Springs is closed much of the winter due to flooding. The first Georgetown Jeepers Jamboree occurred in 1952 and still continues today, the last weekend of July. More history at www.rubicontrailfoundation.org.

Technical Rating

8

Access Description

From U.S. Hwy. 50, between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, head north on paved, wellmarked Icehouse Road. Turn right after 23 miles (left here goes to Wentworth Springs, an alternate way to drive to thetrail). Stay on Icehouse Road another 9 miles until you cross Loon Lake Dam. Bear left downhill after dam to reach start. Gas available on Hwy. 50 at Kyburz, 8 miles east of Icehouse Road (Credit-card pumps open 24 hours).