THE
RUBICON
TRAIL
Twenty-two miles of Sierra Nevada granite connecting Georgetown to Lake Tahoe. Rated 10 out of 10 in difficulty. The Rubicon Trail is the most famous off-road trail in America — and one of the oldest. Its history stretches from ancient Washoe footpaths to Gold Rush wagon routes to the birth of organized off-roading.
HISTORY
Native American Pathway
Long before European contact, the Washoe people used this route to travel between the Sacramento Valley and Lake Tahoe. The trail follows ancient footpaths carved through Sierra Nevada granite over thousands of years.
Fremont's Expedition
John Fremont sighted Lake Tahoe while leading the U.S. Army's first official exploratory expedition across the Sierra Nevada. His journals brought Tahoe to the attention of the western world and opened the floodgates of exploration.
Breaking Trail
Joseph "Cock-eyed" Johnson and a Placerville Herald correspondent broke trail from Hangtown up the Rubicon Gorges. They were met by 70 friendly Washoe Indians at a bay filled with speckled trout, who told them tales of how Lake Tahoe was formed.
Rubicon Springs Discovery
John and George Hunsucker, miners from Kelsey, built their cabin south of Rubicon Springs bordering the Rubicon River. By 1880 they were bottling and selling "Rubicon Water" — the demand was insatiable. Health seekers from Nevada flocked to the springs.
The Resort Era
Mrs. Sierra Phillips Clark, known as "Vade," bought Rubicon Springs and transformed it into a grand resort. She built a 2.5-story hotel with 16 rooms, horsehair furniture, and a foot-pedal organ. She served 100 guests using white linens and polished silverware, running a four-horse stagecoach to McKinney's.
Public Road Declaration
El Dorado County officially declared the route from Georgetown through Wentworth Springs and Rubicon Springs to Lake Tahoe a public road — a designation that would prove crucial in keeping the trail open for over a century.
The First Jeepers Jamboree
55 jeeps carrying 155 enthusiastic participants left Georgetown on a two-day trip that became the legendary Jeepers Jamboree. This annual event, held the last weekend of July, continues to this day and is the oldest organized off-road event in America.
Saving the Trail
After a cease and desist order threatened closure, Del Albright organized 200 volunteers to form Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR). Their grassroots effort — symbolized by a green shovel logo — saved the trail through volunteer maintenance and political advocacy.
The Foundation
The Rubicon Trail Foundation was formed on September 1, 2004. The first donation was $1,000 from Jack Sweeney, who said "Well, let's get this started." The foundation went on to purchase 317 acres along the trail to protect public access forever.
The Fallen Giant
On March 31, 2012, the iconic Little Sluice tree — estimated at 1,500 years old by Yale University arborists — fell in a high-wind snowstorm. The ancient sentinel had watched over one of the trail's most famous obstacles for centuries.
Legacy of Mark Smith
Mark Smith, the legend who organized the first Jeepers Jamboree and championed the Rubicon for decades, passed away on June 9, 2014. Without him, there would be no organized Rubicon Trail, no FOTR, and no Foundation. His legacy lives on every time a rig crosses the granite.
FAMOUS STORIES
KEY OBSTACLES
Gatekeeper
The trail's entrance exam. A granite ledge that immediately tests your rig's approach angle and clearance. Walk it first.
Post Pile
Volcanic rock formations create a jarring, technical section. Pick your line carefully through the jagged basalt columns.
Soup Bowl
A water-filled granite depression. Depth varies by season. The slippery exit wall is the real challenge.
Little Sluice
One of the trail's most famous obstacles. A narrow granite chute with severe off-camber sections. The bypass was blasted after 2011 but the main line remains brutal.
Old Sluice
The original sluice route. Many consider it harder than the current Little Sluice. A true test of driver skill and vehicle capability.
Big Sluice
A massive granite waterfall section. The largest single obstacle on the trail. Use a spotter. Damage is common here.
Walker Hill
A long, technical climb over mixed granite and dirt. Requires sustained low-range crawling and careful tire placement.
Cadillac Hill
The trail's final major challenge. A steep, technical descent (or climb, depending on direction) with hairpin turns on exposed granite. Loose gear becomes projectiles at these angles.
WHERE TO CAMP
Wentworth Springs
DispersedNear the western trailhead. Good staging area with flat ground among the pines. Popular first-night camp for those starting late.
Ellis Creek
DispersedA quiet spot along Ellis Creek with water access. The 2013 Ellis Creek Bridge made this area more accessible. Good for a first-night stop.
Walker Hill
DispersedDispersed camping near the top of Walker Hill. Exposed but scenic. You've earned this camp after the technical climb.
Winter Camp
DispersedNear Little Sluice, this area was historically used as a winter camp. Flat granite slabs and pine cover make it comfortable.
Little Sluice Slab Area
DispersedCamp on the granite slabs near the famous Little Sluice obstacle. Watch other rigs tackle the challenge from your campsite.
Buck Island Lake
DispersedA stunning alpine lake surrounded by granite and pines. One of the most beautiful campsites in the Sierra. Bring bug spray — the mosquitoes are legendary.
Rubicon Springs
HistoricThe crown jewel of Rubicon camping. Site of Vade Clark's 1880s resort, the mineral springs still flow. The green bridge, campfire circles, and community atmosphere make this the most popular overnight stop. Contact Rubicon Soda Springs for fee info.
RTF Property
FoundationNearly 300 acres owned by the Rubicon Trail Foundation, purchased to protect trail access. Open to the public on select weekends. Check RTF website for schedule.
Top of Cadillac / Observation Point
DispersedAfter conquering Cadillac Hill, camp at the observation point with panoramic views of the Sierra. A fitting reward for one of the trail's toughest climbs.
Airport Flat
DesignatedUSFS designated campground near the El Dorado side trailhead. Established sites with fire rings. Good for pre-trip or post-trip camping.
Loon Lake
DesignatedBeautiful alpine lake with USFS campground. The Loon Lake dam area is the official eastern staging point for the Rubicon Trail.