The Rubicon Trail. What town to get a hotel/motel in, Lake Tahoe?

[DaBank]

Best place to stay overnight to do just one day on the trail?
Where to start from if you are not going to do the entire trail, Loon Lake or Tahoe?

 

[Bob Bitchen]

Try to get a room in Truckee, has to be cheaper. we usually gas in Truckee off the 80 and it is only minutes to the start of the trail.
Enter the trail on south lake Tahoe. You are driving next to the lake and a residential street sign has a rubicon sign. there are rest rooms and a staging area to park trailers etc. This end of the trail is the most scenic and a day trip to Rubicon Springs and back out is possible.
Check the weather-we were on the Auburn Jeep Club run the second week of July and it was 103 in Georgetown.

 

[sintax]

This trail, and dusy ershim are both on my bucket list of trails to run. I gotta get off my ass and get my Jeep wheelable again

 

[DaBank]

I am coming from southern California up the 395 so it will take me 7 hours to get to Tahoe so I rather not drive more than that the night before the trail.
I know you can go either direction but most people start at Loon Lake. I don't want to camp on the trail and It will only be me and my wife in our Jeep. I would like to just check it out for the day and one day do a 3 night camping trip.
So if you where in town for the day and wanted to experience the trail what end would you start on and how far would you go and then turn around?
I would like to see Rubicon Springs so would the safest less extreme start be from Tahoe or Loon Lake? My Jeep is a Rubicon JKU with a 5" long arm and 37" tires and I 30 years experience Jeeping but won't be out there with anyone else and no spare parts (have tools and duct tape.lol) so rather be safer.

So basically I will be in Tahoe with a free day and would love to hit up part of the trail and have lunch and turn back around.......was thinking making it to the Springs but ?
Frank

 

[DaBank]

I am actually leaving SoCal in a hour so we will be getting to Tahoe about 1030. At this time I have not booked a room anywhere but thinking South Tahoe unless someone has a better suggestion.

In my head I am thinking if I stay in South Tahoe it would be nice to start the trail in Tahoe and go to the Springs and back?
Not sure it that is a safer/easier section and also not sure if it would be a headache with on coming traffic starting at Loon Lake?

 

[outboard_256]

I like the loon side of the trail better than the end if only going for a day. I have always camped at the trail head at loon lake so can't help you much on a hotel.

 

[C08H18]

395 take Kingsburg grade, drops into Stateline Casinos . The trailhead in Tahoma off of Bellevue Ln (just past Tahoma Mkt) is 26 mi. You'll have some traffic in SLT and slow going around Emerald Bay but still quickest option.

 

[C08H18]

I like the loon side of the trail better than the end if only going for a day. I have always camped at the trail head at loon lake so can't help you much on a hotel.

he'd be an hour 45 min from stateline to loon. i like that side better too. First 7 miles from Tahoma sucks

 

[outboard_256]

he'd be an hour 45 min from stateline to loon. i like that side better too. First 7 miles from Tahoma sucks

I know it takes me 65 miles to get back from end of trail back to loon lake by road. But it takes some time as its twisty roads and uphill. If he does the trail backwards he is probably only going to be able to do Cadillac hill and back in a day. Even if he makes it all the way to Rubicon springs you still don't pass anything hard or fun. Plus part of the fun of the trail is doing it over multiple days. I don't think he will get much enjoyment just running the last easy section of the trail.

Another question OP, are you doing this by yourself? If so I might do start at the end as less chance of breaking something.

 

[evantwheeler]

I like the loon side of the trail better than the end if only going for a day. I have always camped at the trail head at loon lake so can't help you much on a hotel.

This x1000. Youll waste a bunch of time and trail miles coming in from Tahoe side. Start from loon and make your way as far as your comfortable with and then turn around. I would try to make it to the springs and then turn around there. Its so damn beautiful up there, a single day will leave you longing for more time away from civilization in the peace a beauty of the Sierras.

 

[H20 Toie]

Either direction you go in would not be worth it in my opinion if just for one day. and if going in from Loon side I wouldn't go alone. I think there are better trails around for a one day deal.

 

[DaBank]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions.

So starting from Loon how far can I go before I start hitting extreme stuff that can break stuff? I am very capable in my Jeep and have done all of Johnson Valley and Big Bear, etc. But yes just me and my wife in the Jeep so don't want to get into trouble.
I just don't know what route is more extreme......Loon to the Springs or Tahoe to the Springs? Like I said I don't have to end up at the Springs, it is just one of the spots I always hear about. I have no problem turning around at any point but would guess like to get an ideal how far in either direction I can go with out getting in trouble so I can see it on the map.

 

[Allwaysbroken]

Either direction you go in would not be worth it in my opinion if just for one day. and if going in from Loon side I wouldn't go alone. I think there are better trails around for a one day deal.

Agree when I did the rubicon we took three days on the trail, camping as you go. So much to see.

 

[H20 Toie]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions.

So starting from Loon how far can I go before I start hitting extreme stuff that can break stuff? I am very capable in my Jeep and have done all of Johnson Valley and Big Bear, etc. But yes just me and my wife in the Jeep so don't want to get into trouble.
I just don't know what route is more extreme......Loon to the Springs or Tahoe to the Springs? Like I said I don't have to end up at the Springs, it is just one of the spots I always hear about. I have no problem turning around at any point but would guess like to get an ideal how far in either direction I can go with out getting in trouble so I can see it on the map.

You are not likely to get from loon to the springs in a day, you get about 100 feet into the trail til the first obstacle. and its all fun and games after that. I have seen jeeps on there side less than a mile into the trial. broken driveshafts one mile into the trail. ( that was me ) Going from Tahoe to the springs is doable in a day since most is just dirt road. and one big ass hill. nothing really difficult ( so really isn't that exciting ) but if going by yourself a much smarter choice.

Nice looking Jeep. do you have front and rear lockers?

 

[DaBank]

Agree when I did the rubicon we took three days on the trail, camping as you go. So much to see.

I want to go and do a 3 day camping trip soon.
But for now I have 1 free day out there and want to check it out, so just trying to figure out the safest direction to start and see how far people suggest I go and have some fun and stop for lunch and head back. Thanks again

 

[H20 Toie]

safest is from Tahoe period

 

[DaBank]

You are not likely to get from loon to the springs in a day, you get about 100 feet into the trail til the first obstacle. and its all fun and games after that. I have seen jeeps on there side less than a mile into the trial. broken driveshafts one mile into the trail. ( that was me ) Going from Tahoe to the springs is doable in a day since most is just dirt road. and one big ass hill. nothing really difficult ( so really isn't that exciting ) but if going by yourself a much smarter choice.

Nice looking Jeep. do you have front and rear lockers?

Jeep Rubicon Recon with front and rear lockers, 5" long arm, 37' tires,axles,gears,winch,sliders,etc. Just left Apple Valley @ 4:30. 7 hour drive to South Tahoe and still not sure where I am staying tonight, open to suggestions. Frank

 

[DaBank]

safest is from Tahoe period

Do a lot of people go that way or would I be the only one getting people mad "going the wrong direction)?

 

[H20 Toie]

People go both. but more start at loon. but you will spend half the day driving over to trail head at loon. most people. camp there and then start the trail in the morning.

 

[DaBank]

People go both. but more start at loon. but you will spend half the day driving over to trail head at loon. most people. camp there and then start the trail in the morning.

Is the scenery and views nice if we start in Tahoe?

 

[H20 Toie]

Is the scenery and views nice if we start in Tahoe?

actually one of the best views is right at the end of the trail. over looks the whole valley

 

[Times Like These]

I’d get a hotel in Georgetown and go that way. Takes some balls going by yourself. Little sluice can be a bitch these days. Missed the bypass and spent about 2 hours going about a mile[emoji3]


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[LHC30]

If you’re going for a quick in and out then start in Tahoe. You’ll hit the scenic overlook Dan mentioned and getting to and back from the Springs is doable. I think the harder parts of the trail are between Loon and the springs.

done the trail 3X all in a JKUR with a 2 1/2 lift and 35’s. Nothing broke.

 

[DaBank]

I think starting in Tahoe is a safe bet for a fun day and getting a taste of the Rubicon. Where in Tahoe would be good to stay tonight and tomorrow night and be close to the trailhead? Last time in Tahoe we stayed at the Hardrock.

 

[H20 Toie]

I have never stayed in Tahoe, since we start at loon we leave the springs in the morning and finish the trail in the afternoon and head home

 

[DLC]

I’ve done it 3 times ( 2005 rubi unlimited 35’s 488 gears )

and it’s hard to say what’s best, it’s quicker /safer to go from Tahoe and go down Caddy hill

loon lake takes some time to get to and then drive back out to Tahoe, its a good 3 plus hrs round trip.
make sure to take some tools and a air compressor to air up! And a couple tug em straps, winch

3 days is a great trip! Overnight is fun but you spend a lot of time setting up and takedown camp!


depending on your skill level you can do the entire trail with out issues! Some people just have issues and get hung up (high centered or rock under an axle ) and most just need a quick little tug to get free.

I like to say it’s 8 miles of one rock at a time!

we usually camp out at buck island lake! A quick dip in the lake to get the dust off ya!


good luck and report back

 

[outboard_256]

I also saw your post on the rubicon facebook group. I think you should have your answer now.

 

[KingofBeers]

Ahhh...the good 'ol days. Was up there damn near every weekend in the early 2000's. 2016 was the last time I ran the trail and with the nonstop enviro-nazi assault I dont think I used a locker until I got to Big Sluice coming from the Loon side. Gatekeeper is gone, Little Sluice is absent of moving truck size boulders, they constructed a giant concrete/iron i-beam bridge across Ellis Creek....

As others said, if you only have 1 day just run in through Tahoe and have lunch and a swim at the Springs. Wont take long. There is nothing difficult about the Rubicon anymore. Have fun!

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Drop down Cadillac Hill visit the springs and go back out. Its a bit of a drive into Loon and Cadillac should give you enough fun to enjoy soaking in the cool water of the Springs. Unless you are in a UTV the Rubicon is best served over multiple days.