Eldorado
 
 

Roads and Trail Status

Last updated: June 1, 2020

Accessiblity of the various roads and trails on the forest depends on the time of year and the weather. Some road conditions can be predicted, others can not. Unpredictable events of nature can produce road hazards which may not be cleared upon your arrival. Be flexible and enjoy the journey!

Seasonal Road and Trail Closures

The Eldorado National Forest has several versions of these:

Forestwide Seasonal closure (does not apply to Rock Creek OHV area): 

​All native surface (dirt, unpaved) roads and trails are seasonally closed from January 1 through March 31st. During these winter and spring months vehicle use on dirt roads and trails is prohibited.

  • A Forest Order would be issued to go into the closure early or extend the closure based on forest conditions at the time.

Rock Creek OHV area has 3 different seasonal closures:

  • Why does Rock Creek have a separate closure? Rock Creek's trail monitoring and closure system was already in place when Travel Management analysis occured in 2005 and works well for the area.

Rock Creek Wet Weather Closure

Rock Creek OHV Trails are temporarily closed due to wet weather when 1.5 inches or more of precipitation is measured. The trails will open after a 48 hour period of drying weather. (Map and trail list is available on the Forest Order page.)

Snow Zone Closure

The eastern portion of the Rock Creek system is closed when 2 inches of snow is measured until the snow has completely melted from the Bald Mountain Staging area. (Map and trail list is available on the Forest Order page.)

Winter Deer Range Closure

From November 10 to May 1st the southern portion of the trail system is closed for wildlife needs. (Map and trail list is available on the Forest Order page.)

Forest Rules, Regulations, and Forest Specific Forest Orders (regulations)

FOREST-WIDE OR MULTI DISTRICT CLOSURES
Road District Status

Dirt Roads and Trails (native surface, unpaved)

Forestwide

The Seasonal Road and Trail closure is NOT in effect.

  • Extended Closure: Rainfall, soil moisture, road and trail conditions, and weather forecasts are factors that may trigger an extension of the seasonal closure past April 1st. 
  • Annual Closure: January through at least March 30. This may be extended depending on forest conditions.

During the winter and spring months vehicle use on dirt roads and trails is prohibited. Use of soaked roads and trails contributes to sedimentation of streams and costly trail damage that can be prevented by avoiding use when trails are holding water. By allowing roads and trails to dry sufficiently, users will ensure quality trail opportunities in the future.

42 Route Meadow Closure

 

All affected roads have been completed. Project Web Page

Mormon Emigrant Trail (MET) / Iron Mountain road

Placerville/ Amador

Open.

STATUS: GEORGETOWN RANGER DISTRICT - WENTWORTH SPRINGS AND HELL HOLE AREAS
Road Status

14N23 (FR 25)
Blacksmith Flat - from Ralston to Forest Road 2

CLOSED still due to LANDSLIDES in 2017 & 2019.  The slide will likely cost more than $1 million to remove and mitigate hazards. The area is unstable.

14N19
Desert Cold Springs Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. 

14N08 (FR 2)
Eleven Pines- from Wentworth Springs road to Hell Hole

Open.

13N42
Pigeon Roost

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

11NY05
Crooked Silver Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. 

Rock Creek - East & West Trails**

Open. Use caution when recreating in the forest.

  • For the most up to date information call the Georgetown Ranger Station at 530-333-4312 or our virtual office number at 530 334-6477.

  • Updates on the Rock Creek trails status are available on Twitter at twitter.com/eldoradonf/.

Rock Creek has it's own wet weather closure plan and does not fall under the forest-wide seasonal closure.(Map and trail list is available on the Forest Order  page.)

Rock Creek - Southern Trails
(Crossier Loop Critical Deer Winter Range)***

The winter closure is NOT in effect at this time: November 10 through May 1. ***

  • For the most up to date information call the Georgetown Ranger Station at 530-333-4312 or our virtual office number at 530 334-6477.

Rock Creek - East side portion

SNOW ZONE Closure is NOT in effect. 

The eastern portion of the Rock Creek system is closed when 2 inches of snow is measured until the snow has completely melted from the Bald Mountain Staging area. (Map and trail list is available on the Forest Order page.)

STATUS: PACIFIC RANGER DISTRICT - CRYSTAL BASIN AREA
Road Status

17N12K
Angel Creek Day Use Aea

Closed.

Ellis Trailhead / Rubicon 4WD Trail
  • County road. Check out this web site for current conditions. http://bit.ly/2wFztg2
  • For trail conditions on the Rubicon Trail, see www.pirate4X4.com or Eldorado County, ‘Rubicon Trail’ link.

16E21
Barrett Lake Jeep Trail

Snow. Closed.

For more information go to the Hi-Landers web page as they maintain the trail under the Adopt-A-Trail program. http://hi-landers.com/BLT/BLT.html

13N28
South Creek Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

12N78
Union Valley Road

Open.

12N52
Wolf Creek Road (north side of lake) from Westpoint Boatramp to Ice House road

Open.

12N30
Bryant Springs - from Peavine Ridge to Westpoint Boatramp on Union Valley Reservoir

Open.

11N99
Granite Springs

Road closed beyond 11N42 junction due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.   

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

11N60
Jaybird Canyon

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

11N55
Peavine Ridge

Open.

11N52
Lake Shore Drive (north side of Ice House Reservoir)

Open.

11N38
Weber Mill Road

Open.

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

11N37
Ice House/ Wrights Lake Tie

Open

11N26
Wrights Lake - from Highway 50 to Wrights Lake

Accessible. Campground and facilities are still closed.

STATUS: PLACERVILLE RANGER DISTRICT - HIGHWAY 50 SOUTH AREA
Road Status

12N59
Slab Creek Road

Closed due to 2017/18 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

12N58
Camp Six Road

Closed due to 2017/18 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

12N34 
Forebay Road

Open. Forebay Road from Pollock Pines area to the river.

Closed to motorized vehicles from the river to Poho Ridge. 

11N53
Alder Creek Picnic

 Open. 

11N46
Alder Creek

 Open. 

11N40
Silver Fork

Open

11N23D
Packsaddle Pass

Open.

11N16
45 Mile Campground

Open.

10N83
North South

Open

10N40
Plum Creek

Closed at MP12.7, Storm Damage/flagged, also large tree down blocking south side of storm damage at MP 14. 

9N49
Steely Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable. 

9N46
Bear Meadow Loop

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

9N45
Caldor

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.  150’ washout 1 mile west of the intersection with the 10N83 road. 

9N34
Hasse Dairy
Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

9N34C
McKinney Holdup
Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable. 

9N10
Willow Flat
Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable.

Caples Trail System

Open but not recommended. The following trails still have safety concerns due to the Caples Fire and winter damage please use caution when recreating in the forest.

  • 17E15 Cody Meadows
  • 17E20 Silver Fork 
  • 17E22 from Highway 88 north to end
  • 17E49 Strawberry Creek
  • 17E51 Caples Creek
  • 17E53 Kirkwood Lake Loop
  • 17E63 Forgotten Flat
  • 17E71 Old Silver Lake Trail
  • 17E73 Strawberry 4WD Trail
  • 17E74 Spur Bee 4WD Trail.

Elkins Flat*

Open. Use caution when recreating in the forest.

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

17E73
Strawberry Canyon

Due to safety issues from the Caples Fire and snow this road is not recommended for use. 

17E16
Little Round Top Trail

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

16E26
Long Canyon 4WD trail

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

14E31
Plummer Ridge Loop

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.  Impassable. 

13E19
Pony Express Trail

 Open.

13E08
Fleming Trail System

Open.

13E04
Cedar Park Trail

Open.

STATUS: AMADOR RANGER DISTRICT - HIGHWAY 88 AREA
Road Status
8N50
Salt Springs/ Tiger Creek

Closed. PG&E controls access to the gate.

8N32
Panther Ridge Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road which is closed due to snow. No funding for repairs at this time.

8N25 (FR92)
Ellis Creek

Open. 

8N23
Mehrten Springs

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

8N05 (FR91)
Panther Creek

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. 
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road when not covered by snow. No funding for repairs at this time.

Forest Order 03-19-02

8N05G
East Panther Creek 36 Road

Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. 
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road when not covered by snow. No funding for repairs at this time.

8N03
Bear River

Open

Gold Note*

See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*

19E01
Deer Valley

Closed. Snow.

17E79
Mud Lake Road and 17E24 / 16E26 Ridge

Closed. 

**Rock Creek Wet Weather Closure: During the Winter season (and other parts of the year as applies) as we get a total of 1.5" of rain or 2.0" of snow, we automatically close our Rock Creek trails. The closure of the trails applies to Off-Highway Vehicles, Bicycles and Equestrians to prevent resource damage to the trails in wet condition. We allow 48 hours drying time in order to re-open.

***Using any type of motor vehicle or bicycle on a forest development road or trail is prohibited between the days of November 10 and May 1, except Darling Ridge Road (12N80), Mosquito Road (12N60), Rock Creek Road (12N70), Slate Mountain Mine Road (12N83), Slate Mountain Road (12N76) and Lower Rock Creek Trail (Trail No. 23-25). Forest Order 03-00-03.


https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/home/?cid=fsbdev7_019037