Rubithon Dates are set Rain, Snow, Sun We go ! June 25-29 2025 You will not want to miss this next years event . Registration opens in February .
Rubithon 37 June 25-29 2025
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7 months out
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Registration will open Jan 24th
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
18 days away!
One day out from registration.... My plan is to not blow things up 35 minutes into my trip this year. Pretty achievable goal IMO
First time Rubicon guy here. Planning to go out with at least one other club member, not sure what run to choose.
Both vehicles locked F/R. FJ40 on 35s LX450 on 36s. Both very experienced drivers.
Is an FJ40 allowed on the wagon run?
Is the solid axle run OK for both an FJ40 and 80 Series?
Both vehicles locked F/R. FJ40 on 35s LX450 on 36s. Both very experienced drivers.
Is an FJ40 allowed on the wagon run?
Is the solid axle run OK for both an FJ40 and 80 Series?
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
You are welcome to pick either run with either vehicle. The big thing for the Solid Axle Run is the pace. That runs straight through to the Springs and moves at a strong pace. First timers on Rubicon, I'd be leaning towards a run that has a stop in Buck like the Wagon Run unless very well equipped and very familiar with rock crawling of this type. But it sounds like you may be good either way
Hard to say. We both have done some pretty good rock crawling all over the east coast. I ran Pritchett twice in a 80, and he did it in a 60, but that was in 2017. I also know some guys from back east who ran the Rubicon in a slightly modified FJ Cruiser and a BJ42 pulling a trailer.
I'm not familiar with the trail and don't know if they were just doing bypasses for the hard stuff.
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
There isn't anything that's particularly more difficult in Rubicon. It's just non stop for the most part. I think you'd be ok either way. The Solid Axle Run is typically a smaller run anyways, so it really comes down to where you want to camp that first night. Buck is nice to hang out at, but if you can get into Rubicon Springs that first night it sure is nice
Registered for the Wednesday wagon run.
Trying to get a handle on logistics.
Day 1 is Loon to Buck Island camping overnight.
Day 2 is Buck Island to Rubicon Springs where the majority of "event happenings" are located.
How many nights at Rubicon Springs?
Now please remember that I'm not familiar with the trail, but the distance from Loon to Buck is 5.6 miles, and the distance from Buck to the Springs is 1.7 miles. Then from Rubicon Springs to the McKinney staging area (where I am assuming we depart the trail) is 8 miles.
I'm a bit confused as to the time required for each leg of the trail.
Can someone who's familiar with the trail give me some intel please.
Trying to get a handle on logistics.
Day 1 is Loon to Buck Island camping overnight.
Day 2 is Buck Island to Rubicon Springs where the majority of "event happenings" are located.
How many nights at Rubicon Springs?
Now please remember that I'm not familiar with the trail, but the distance from Loon to Buck is 5.6 miles, and the distance from Buck to the Springs is 1.7 miles. Then from Rubicon Springs to the McKinney staging area (where I am assuming we depart the trail) is 8 miles.
I'm a bit confused as to the time required for each leg of the trail.
Can someone who's familiar with the trail give me some intel please.
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
Wagon Run camps Wednesday night at Buck Island Lake. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are spend at Rubicon Springs where the event is.
That first day along the trail can take a while, especially for people new to the trail. I've heard of some taking sun up to sun down and still not making it to Buck Island Lake. Your run should make it no problem mid to late afternoon. Enough time to have a dip in the lake and go over your rig before you cook dinner and relax. It will be a good day and some of the sights that first day are really fantastic.
Day two between Buck Island Lake and Rubicon Springs is definitely shorter. The big difference beween day one and day two are the Sluices. Day one you won't be going through Old Sluice and Little Sluice so the pace remains a bit higher, even with a group of that size and people new to the trail. Day 2 is Big Sluice for which there is no bypass. Every year it's slightly different and there are other obstacles along the way that slow progress a bit. That said, I've seen that run get into Rubicon Springs around lunch time several times in a row, and even earlier.
That schedule really works out nicely because the longer day is spent on acclimating to the trail and some of the easier things and the second day, although with more obstacles, is shorter and you have all that extra time in the Springs.
Sunday, the drive out isn't bad at all. Up Cadillac Hill which is impressive and enjoyable, a pit stop at Observation Point at the top, and then through some smaller things and the last Potatoe Patch before a long dirt road out to the staging area near Tahoma. On the Wagon Run I've aired up and driven to South Lake Tahoe to have coffee and then a nice lunch.
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
There's plenty of room at either end, especially for the Wagon Run people. I've seen many leave tow rig and trailer at the Tohoma side in the parking lot.
But also there is no problem leaving something parked down by the spillway on the Loon Lake side. Just remember, it is a ways up Ice House Road to get back to it.
Other options are leaving truck and trailer at the Chalet right near the Loon Lake entrance, or paying a fee at the Ice House Resort to park it on their lot
Any security issues at any of those?
Which of those makes the most "sense" given coming off the trail on Sunday (presumably early/mid afternoon?)? and needing to get back to the start of the trail? How long will that trip take in a (slow) 40!?
Which of those makes the most "sense" given coming off the trail on Sunday (presumably early/mid afternoon?)? and needing to get back to the start of the trail? How long will that trip take in a (slow) 40!?
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
I haven’t heard of any trouble at either location and wouldn’t hesitate to drop a rig at any of those places. I’m more worried about getting all the food out to keep the bears away haha.
To go from Tahoma staging area back around to Loon might be two to two and a half hours. Then another 30-40 minutes back out to the 50
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
Yes, it's much easier to get out that direction from Tahoma. Fordyce is a ton of fun, especially after just warming up on the Rubicon
Google is currently showing a blockage on what appears to be the shortest route between "Rubicon Trail Staging Area Tahoe Side" and the Loon Staging area. Is that a winter thing or is that permanent?
AgentOrange
TLCA #28372
That's gotta be just a winter thing. I just go from Tahoma south towards South Lake Tahoe and then onto the 50. Come Spring it should pop back open no problem. That section right there would be downright scary in the snow to drive
