Cantina for the 'Con Rubicon Fund Raiser

6th Annual Cantina for the 'Con Rubicon Trail Fund-Raiser

Labor Day Weekend at the Spillway (Sept. 4th and 5th)

Taco Feed and Raffle to Benefit the Rubicon Trail

Loon Lake Spillway.  Buy tickets in advnace or puchase them at the spillway.
More info contact email:  cantinadonations@gmail.com
Raffle begins Sunday, Sept. 5th at 4pm.

More info and details at http://www.rubicontrailfoundation.org/

Rubicon Work Weekend June 26, 2010

Preparing for the Rubicon Trail -- packing the Jeep, getting the camping gear loaded up on the Olympic4x4 rack, making sure the lug nuts are tight, checking the tire pressure in the BFG's, and doing the once-over on old Red, when the moon decided to pay me a visit.  Big work party this weekend on the Rubicon Trail with the Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR), the most famous off-road coalition in the world, dedicated to just one trail -- the Icon of Four-Wheeling!

Sometimes as a photographer, the picture finds you.  It's times like these that remind me why so many of love what we do -- getting out there, exloring nature, and "seeing" what the world has to offer (off pavement).   No matter what your choice of off-road recreation is, be sure to help keep it alive for moments like this.  Join all those organizations that make sense to you, starting with the BlueRibbon Coalition (http://www.sharetrails.org/) and your state association.

FOTR folks are feeding us with a great dinner Saturday night and there is still time to sign up and help with some very productive trail work right here at : http://www.rubiconfriends.com/

When it comes to moments like this pic with my Jeep and the moon, my advice is simple: Take the time to see what is around you and appreciate the freedom this great country has to offer.    Del

Rubicon Trail Volunteers Bring Us Up to Date

Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) Annual Meeting 2010 Report from Jacquelyne Bebe Theisen
The FOTR Annual meeting went very well. We had a full day with lots of great information from our own membership and from our agency partners.


We began the meeting with introductions and comments from Del and Daphne Greene to kick things into gear.  (full room; 100 folks)

We then had a recap of workdays on the trail for the year, both the El Dorado side and the Placer side, I recapped the El Dorado and Doug Barr recapped the Placer. We have accomplished a ton last year and have even MORE to do this year.

I introduced a new oil cleaning product, that after*two trials on the trail, was modified to include a detergent free surfactant, an enzyme and a microbe. It took all the best of the two products we used to remove old oils stains from the granite, and added an enzyme for the fast acting breakdown of petroleum, and a microbe that contines to breakdown any oil that gets into the soil over time. The new product is called "S'oil Cleanse" and has now been added to the County's Grant request to be added to the free spill kits that we hand out on the trail, in convenient 8oz squeeze bottles. The product will also be available to the public and can be purchased in larger volume containers.

There were some meaningful highlights, one of them being a "Lifetime Achievement Award" presented to Mr. Dana Holland. Dana's achievements on the Rubicon go back over 30 years. One of the most notable projects being the Rubicon Springs Bridge, with the most recent being the Wentworth Springs Kiosk, Oil Containment Bdlg, and the Wag Bag collection Receptacle. I'll send out some photo's when I get them together.

Rubicon Trail Foundation recapped their grant funding and status for 2009-2010 grant cycle. They also had a show and tell of the new Pooper Unimog that will be used on the trail for pumping out the new toilets that will be installed (hopefully) over the next couple of years at remote locations like Spider Lake and Buck Island Lake.

Del held the annual election of the Trail Boss, and by a show of hands, I was elected by the present members. Del apologized for not holding an election at the time he chose to appoint Todd and I last year, but said he did what he did, and apologized again.

Shortly after we went straight into the business of the new Org Chart for FOTR, and all current appointments remained the same, and a couple of empty positions were filled. I can e-mail you the chart if you would like one.

I also briefly went over the CGS map provided to me by the County last week, that showed all of the areas that need our attention. We will again spend the majority of our time on the west side of the trail this year, but now have specific projects laid out before us. I will need folks to step up for Incident Commander Positions as we will have 5 work days this year. I can email a Calendar with all of the pertinent dates.

I asked the membership to assist with a project that will include a lot of buckets, and the major organized runs this year by JJUSA, Jeepers Jamborees and others like TLCA, Marlin Crawler runs too. We have a couple of areas that need to be filled back up to Original Grade. These will not be done during our normal workdays, nor by the County, but we will be handing out buckets to be filled with rock from a location on the trail, and dropped at Walker Hill and Winter Camp, the two more incised areas of the trail. More details to come as things come together.

We broke for lunch and were stuffed to the gills with the most amazing Rockhead food ever, Dale Robins whipped up some chili verde, chicken and beef for a plethora of tacos. Wow, no wonder they are the official Cook Crew of FOTR! They Rock!

The Agency panel was very informative, and included USFS, EL Dorado County, Water Board and OHMVR Representatives. Grants for upcoming projects were discussed, as well as Forest Service Projects, and a continued vote of support from OHMVR.

Daphne Green from OHMVR communicated how important FOTR is, as it sets the standard NATION WIDE for what a collaboration of Volunteers and Agencies can accomplish together, and we were congratulated by other agencies on out talent, resources and our die hard desire to keep the Rubicon alive and well for future generations.

Diane Rubiaco from Pacific District spoke about defining some dispersed camping areas along the trail, and also providing a route to some of these areas. While details were not readily available, in a previous meeting, both Buck Island and Little Sluice/Spider lake areas were discussed. Very encouraging. She did say that they may not look like we image they should. but that she is looking forward to a collaborative process.

Vickie Sanders of El Dorado County told us about the grants being requested by the County on the Rubicon Trails behalf, and again thanked to volunteers for their work on the trail. Vickie is truly the lady who makes it all happen for us, working with both the DOT, Legal and the Supervisors office to advocate for us at every turn. I can't thank her enough.

Phil Jenkins of OHMVR described a collaboration of 4 Law Enforcement Agencies that will be active on and around the trail this year. He is working on a project to include 2 State Parks officers that will be placed at a mid trail position during the Summer.

Law enforcement this year will be the largest presence we have ever seen on the Rubicon Trail, with 2 full time State Parks LEO's, 2 Forest Service FPO's, and 2 full time Sheriffs officers.

Marty Hartzel from the Water Board came to tell us how we were progressing on the CAO, and let us know that everything is going as planned, all reports have been submitted on time, and that they are looking forward to the Long term management Plan and the Saturated Soils plan due this year.

As we wound things down, Duncan Waldrop took the time to discuss a Trail Patrol Project he has been working on for RTF. RTF hired him to design a trail patrol program that will be self sustaining. Duncan also presented the CalStar Program to members of FOTR, and we had to vote to be called a group just for this purpose. It was overwhelmingly approved, and now all members of FOTR are eligible for Cal Star Helicopter Insurance for $35.00 per year. If you are interested - contact Duncan, and he will get you the necessary information.

Thank you all who attended, presented and committed your time to the Friends of the Rubicon. We couldn't do it with out each and every one of you.

Thank you all for your vote and your vote of confidence. We are going to have a GREAT year, a PRODUCTIVE year, and will be one step closer to lifting the Clean up and Abatement Order.

Bebe, Trail Boss
***************

Rubicon Trail Users Oppose Plan, Need Support

Friends of the Rubicon

Contact: Jacquelyne "Bebe" Theisen
Telephone: 530-888-8302
E-mail: bebehumr@gmail.com
Auburn, CA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RUBICON TRAIL USERS OPPOSE PLAN

Friends of the Rubicon fighting for Little Sluice and trail bypasses

January 20, 2010; Placerville, CA. Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) asks for user support to change the future of the Rubicon Trail in El Dorado County. El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) will present staff recommendations at a public meeting, January 26th, at 2pm in the County Board of Supervisors Board room. DOT Staff has published a recommended Route Recognition plan so that the Rubicon Trail in El Dorado County is defined as ordered by the California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board's Clean up and Abatement Order issued to El Dorado County and the Eldorado National Forest Service last spring.

Friends of the Rubicon is appreciative of the involvement of the Department of Transportation in working with all interested stakeholders to come up with a framework for the future maintenance of the trail - which FOTR looks forward to assisting the County in its implementation. However County staff recommendations do not reflect our user-groups priorities, consensus or recommendations.

FOTR will present a 10 minute counter-presentation to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on behalf of motorized Rubicon Trail users and the volunteers that work tirelessly to maintain the health of the Rubicon Trail. The presentation will focus on keeping the trail open, alive and well for all users.

Del Albright, Ambassador, Blue Ribbon Coalition and founding Trail Boss of Friends of the Rubicon said, “El Dorado County staff have been essential in developing a long-term plan for the health of the Rubicon Trail, but this current recommendation flies side-ways in a couple key issues critical to responsible users of the trail. FOTR has the right recommendations and we will be advocating to the Board of Supervisors to support FOTR’s approach.”

Of the three alternatives presented to the Board of Supervisors by the Department of Transportation, Friends of the Rubicon supports a modified Option 3 that includes all of the Recommended Variants and a maintenance corridor at Little Sluice and Buck Island. This should preserve all existing variant routes within the corridors currently on the Not Recommended list.

“After years of work and several public meetings, we still find ourselves in partial, yet significant disagreement with County staff,” says Jacquelyne Theisen, Trail Boss, FOTR. “At this meeting we plan to show, once again, how the responsible users of the Rubicon Trail know what’s best for an overall trail management plan, and are willing to make it happen on the ground,” she adds.

Friends of the Rubicon will ask the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to add the following Variants Not Recommended to Option 3 so that they are included in the Long Term Management plan currently being developed:

Map location (C) the USFS portion(s) (14N34B). This area is a historical ingress and egress to the Rubicon Trail, and highly valuable for the following reasons; It provides easy access for the extrication of broken or damaged vehicles, or those bringing in parts to repair a vehicle, or for expedited egress for an injured recreationist, or in the event of a wildfire, expedient access to two lakes for human safety. It does have very minor erosion issues that are very easily remedied.

Map location (D) a short section of trail east of Ellis Creek. This area is being requested for the following reasons; It is a section of the original trail, and provides a optional route of increased difficulty, which is a integral part of the Rubicon experience.

Map location (E) the obstacle known as Soup Bowl is a newer area of the trail, that provides a play area. The impression that the trail is constantly blocked and creates a safety hazard is an exaggeration. We are asking that it remains open and that some type of natural barrier be installed to prevent further vegetation loss and that regular maintenance plan be developed to prevent sediment loss.

Friends of the Rubicon is dedicated to working with El Dorado County DOT and the Eldorado National Forest Service to continue to provide the many hours of volunteer labor needed to maintain the health of the Rubicon Trail and to provide a unified voice to motorized users of the world’s most famous trail, the Rubicon.

If you would like to assist FOTR, participate at a FOTR work party or educational outreach efforts at one of our Kiosk information centers, please sign up here at: http://www.rubiconfriends.com .

The meeting on January 26th is located at:
El Dorado County
330 Fair Lane, bldg A

Placerville, CA 96667

NOTE from Del:  the Rubicon Trail Foundation (RTF) will be presenting to the Board of Supervisors as well, with many of the same recommendations as FOTR.  More on RTF at http://www.rubicontrailfoundation.org/

###

Friends Groups -- saving trails together -- How to.

I get asked often about saving trails with a "friends" type group (or coalition).  It's easy to do and very powerful.  Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) is the most famous friends group in the country and the largest coalition ever formed to save just one trail -- the Rubicon Trail.  Here's why friends groups work so well.

Friends groups set aside club issues and bring everyone together under one banner.


Friends groups are usually multiple use (wheeling, dirt bikes, hunting, fishing, atv's, etc. and access in general).

Friends groups become the central point of contact for agency folks (USFS; BLM). It makes it easier for all of us to work together.

Friends groups become powerful proponents of public lands (quickly), recognized by the agencies as the folks to deal with!  Let alone that friends groups are the ones that get the work done.

Go here to learn more and see how (step by step) to start a friends group (or coalition) for your trail or riding area: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/coalitions.htm

Del

Rubicon Trail Little Sluice (meeting)

I really enjoyed the public meeting tonight and I’m sure there will be a lot of posts about it. We filled up the room pretty much with about 25 folks speaking up. Tom Celio from Eldo County DOT said he had about 70 emails also (submitted testimony). I was very proud of everyone who was there.

Our passion and dedication to the trail shown through like a bright light, even if we all didn't agree on exactly what to with Little Sluice -- to blow or not to blow it.


However, the comment was made that it is turning out to be about 7 to 1 or so (unofficial) for leaving the box alone. Further, it was pretty unanimous that we need a plan before we do anything serious – a plan we are all part of. Co-Trail Boss Bebe did an awesome job presenting good stuff about what FOTR can do and has done.  She made it clear that FOTR fixes anything that is in need of attention on the Rubicon Trail, and has proven this for 9 years.

There was a lot of support for fixing the real problems at Little Sluice – and those are mostly people problems and bad behaviors. Things that need to be managed (fixed) still include petroleum issues and spills, erosion/sedimentation, and sanitation. FOTR can fix all these with a little help from our partners in the feds, the Rubicon Trail Foundation, and the County.  This is not rocket science -- this is commitment, persistence and common sense.

Several businesses (like http://www.mfs-ca.com/ ) and the "Save the Sluice" group made it clear that they are going to be on the trail, at Little Sluice, doing on-the-ground management of behaivour  and providing education on issues at the "box" to include cleaning up messes and spills.  Now THAT is dedication.

The Rubicon Trail Foundation supported having a solid, integrated plan in place to deal with the concentrated use at Little Sluice, and of course reaffirmed their commitment to support Friends of the Rubicon.

Tom Celio was impressed with our dedication, consideration and respect for each other, as well as our commitment to the trail.  He said the next step was for this info (and the email testimony) to be packaged up and given to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors who will make important decisions like this one about the Rubicon Trail.  I trust Tom to give a good view of our side/testimony to the Board.
You can still email in your comments if you want. tcelio@co.el-dorado.ca.us

Wow, thanks to all who could be there and all who sent support (or email testimony) in their own way.

FOTR Rocks.
Just one man’s opinion and notes,

Del

Rubicon Trail Little Sluice (meeting)

Discussion: Little Sluice - to crack or not to crack

Rubicon Trail users are meeting with the El Dorado Board of Supervisors to discuss rumors and possibilities of cracking/resizing the big rocks in the Sluice Box (Little Sluice).  This contentious issue is up for debate with the Board (and other trail users).  Users are divided on the issue -- whether to "blow the box" or leave it alone.  Be there or send someone to represent you.  You can also send in comments (see below).

County Meeting - Board of Supervisors Chambers

Where: 330 Fair Lane. Placerville, California 95667

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=f...8&z=16&iwloc=A
When: 6:30 PM - Wednesday Sep. 16th

The decision has NOT BEEN MADE....it is up to us to form the decision to do anything if anything... Be HEARD!!!

If you can't make the meeting, e-mail Tom at tcelio@co.el-dorado.ca.us
 
Del

Cantina for Rubicon '09

Cantina for the 'Con Annual Fund Raiser is about to happen and YOU can help. This is the big one for the icon of four-wheeling, the famous Rubicon Trail.
This is happening Labor Day weekend, September 5, 6, 2009 at the Spillway of the Loon Lake entrance to the Rubicon Trail.

Donations and prizes are needed, and you can buy tickets even if you're not able to attend (you're still supporting the Rubicon that way).

This Dysfunctional Organization (TDO) is leading the charge again this year with a lot of helpers, but YOU are critical to raising a bank for the Rubicon Trail.
Please visit here and get involved, donate, and buy tickets.

Del

BFGoodrich Tires Supports Albright Jeep and Land Use Work

BFG Tires, once again, has supported keeping us on the trail doing land use work. BFG contributed two new KM2's which are being installed on our Jeep at Blazen Offroad in Lake Tahoe.

Coming out of the Rubicon Trail the other day, I hit one of those odd, no-see-um pointed rocks that turned towards me and STABBED my sidewall -- out of the blue. Then somewhere on Cadillac Hill I managed to dislocate some suspension parts which allowed the axle to shift and thus RAM one of my tires into the spring basket and frame. Needless to say by the time Stac and I smelled burning rubber from the grooving that was taking place, another tire had bit the dust. So we lost TWO in one trip. OUCH.

BFGoodrich Tires is a long term sponsor of keeping our Jeep on the trail so we can keep saving trails, and this just goes to show they are there when we need them. Add to that they just gave a $4000 grant to Friends of Fordyce to help save that trail, and you have a company that deserves our thanks and business.

BFG Mud Terrains (and one set of All Terrains) have been on my Jeep since I bought it 12 years ago. The KM2 is an innovation between the famous Krawler and the old Mud Terrain. I love 'em!

THANK you, BFG Tires for helping to save our sport and our trails.

Tahoe 4x4 Shop Saves the Day for Del (Blazen Off Road)

Coming out of the Rubicon Trail this past weekend, right after a great time with Jeepers Jamboree, we broke. Yup. Broke, AND had a flat tire to change on Cadillac Hill (in the lineup to get home). ouch.

We tore some suspension components loose which allowed the axle to shift and my rear tire to get eaten alive by rubbing on the frame and coil spring basket. Yikes -- burning rubber.

But, alas, here they come to save the day, that means that Blazen is on the way. Yea, baby, for sure, Blazen Off Road has our jeep and are kicking in labor and some fabricating to help us get back on the trail. BFGoodrich Tires, one of our long standing sponsors, is coming up with two more KM2's to help us out and keep the Jeep safe. Awesome.

We also would like to publicly thank Gary Lefler, Tahoe Hi Lo's, and hard-working member of Friends of the Rubicon, who picked us up, got us to a motel, got our Jeep safely delivered to South Lake Tahoe, and hooked us up with connections in town. Thank you, Gary, you ROCK.

And I might add, if you're looking for a clean, fairly priced, beautiful motel away from the casino crowd, yet still close to town, try the Tahoe Valley Lodge right on Hwy. 50 just past the "Y" (http://www.tahoevalleylodge.com/).

We left the Jeep with Blazen Off Road and they will do all the repairs and upgrades over the next couple weeks.

Visit Blazen Off Road here: http://www.blazenoffroad.com/

More to come. Del

Rubicon Trail Update

RUBICON TRAIL UPDATE: WATER QUALITY BOARD MEETS - RUBICON STAYS OPEN

SACRAMENTO, CA (April 27) — The Rubicon Trail is open and OHV recreation is sustained on this icon of four-wheeling, according to the Rubicon Trail Foundation (RTF) and Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR). The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) voted unanimously to issue a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) to El Dorado County and the Eldorado National Forest for the world-famous Rubicon Trail that sustains motorized recreation while enhancing stewardship of the trail. Not only did the Board enact an order that recreationists can live with, but they also went so far as to praise the efforts of the volunteers for addressing trail issues ... read more here on BlueRibbon's Home Page

Rubicon Trail Dinner – Black Tie and Boots

Support the Rubicon! Enjoy this fun-filled and unique banquet they're calling Black Tie and Boots!

On March 6^th in Placerville, the Rubicon Trail Foundation will put on their first sorta fancy but mostly fun fund raising dinner. Put on your black tie but leave your boots on. This will be a blast (as well as a great way to raise money for our icon of a trail). Stacie and I plan to be there. Go here to learn more and signup (there is still room as of this post but seating is limited and time is short).

Oh, if you can't make the dinner, you can always donate to the cause. J

More here: http://www.rubicontrail.org/newstuff/

Del

Rubicon Trail, FOTR, 2009 Annual Meeting Announced

Please join us for the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR), Saturday, Feb. 28^th, 2009 at the Cal4 office in Sacramento. Send a friend or club member if you can't make it and would like to be part of the planning for the future of the Rubicon Trail. Even if you can't be there or be represented, we ALWAYS welcome input and ideas from anyone who loves the Rubicon Trail and wants to keep it open to motorized recreation – alive and well.

Get more details and sign up here: http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/fotr_2009_meeting.html

And yes, I'll be running again for Trail Boss as I see 2009 to be a critical year for us to have experienced leadership. J On the other hand, anyone who'd like some time in a leadership role, or who would like to be involved in the future of leading volunteers on the Rubicon, you are MORE than welcome to get on board. If we have a future Trail Boss out there, I'll be happy to start offering you more training and opportunities to learn this job.

Thanks ,Del

Trail Boss FOTR

Dennis Mayer Celebration of Life, Dec. 14th

His Legacy Will Live On -- We Celebrate Dennis and his Family

December 14, 2008, 2pm at the old Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn, CA

Please accept this invitation to attend the celebration of the life of Dennis Mayer -- a hero, a friend, a mentor, a father and husband, and just one of the best inspirations you could ever hope to know. We all miss him terribly; but he wanted us to celebrate his life, not cry. So here's the plan. Sign up and learn more about this memorable event right here: http://www.delalbright.com/Misc/dennis_celebration.html

Del

Rubicon Trail Update from Trail Boss; 10/8/08

Today was the monthly meeting of the Rubicon Oversight Committee (ROC) and here are some highlights from my notes:

1. 
   Bridges on the trail: with grant money and leadership from the great folks at the Dept. of Transportation in Eldorado County (DOT), we are in progress of getting two bridges on the trail. One at Ellis Creek and one at Gerle Creek (Wentworth Springs Road). These will prevent future closures and environmental issues with both these critical watersheds. It will be summer of 2010 before we see these constructed, but the good news is that everyone is on board and excited about having bridges to help us keep our trail open and healthy. Our input will be asked for as the design ideas come forward.
   
2. US Geological Survey folks are out on the trail right now doing some analysis of future maintenance jobs that need to be done to keep our trail in good shape. They are doing this under guidance from Eldo County, so we hope to have a good report and what all we'll be doing these next two summers.
   
3. Loon Lake Toilet: the CXT (big vault pre-fab) toilet is set to be installed in the next week or so at Loon Lake (staging area). The hole is prepared and ready to accept the new toilet system. Again, we are using grant money and the guidance and supervision of the good folks at Eldo County DOT.
   
4. USFS Fire Restrictions have been lifted on the Forest – so camp fires are ok now. Go prepared if you go up; frost is heavy in the mornings. J
   

Before turkey day I'll probably be checking for a good date for our Spring FOTR meeting (most likely February). More on this soon, but in case you're wondering, yes, for sure, I'll be happy to continue as your Trail Boss. We'll have the normal annual election at the spring meeting. 2009 promises to be an awesome year for Friends of the Rubicon. For more on the Rubicon Trail, visit http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/rubicon.htm

Del