Roads and Trail Status
Last updated: December 21, 2018
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 (except 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:
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.)
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)
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Forestwide
|
The Seasonal Road and Trail closure IS in effect as of January 1st.
January through at least March 30
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.
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42 Route Meadow Closure
Project Web Page
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All affected roads have been completed.
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FR 5
Mormon Emigrant Trail/ Iron Mountain road
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AMA/PVL
|
Closed to passenger vehicles due to snow. 4wd and OHVs are allowed according to forest order 03-18-03.
There is no through access to Highway 88 and Kirkwood in the winter despite what your GPS tells you.
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STATUS: GEORGETOWN RANGER DISTRICT - WENTWORTH SPRINGS AND HELL HOLE AREAS
| Road |
Status |
|
FR 1/CR 63
Wentworth Springs - from Georgetown to Uncle Toms Cabin
|
Snow. Only plowed as far as Blodgett.
|
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17N02 (FR 22)
French Meadows Reservoir to French House
|
Closed due to snow.
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14N23 (FR 25)
Blacksmith Flat - from Ralston to Forest Road 2
|
Closed due to snow.
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14N19
Desert Cold Springs Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
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14N08 (FR 2)
Eleven Pines- from Wentworth Springs road to Hell Hole
|
Snow.
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13N42
Pigeon Roost
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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11NY05
Crooked Silver Road
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Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
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Rock Creek - East & West Trails**
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For the most up to date information call the Georgetown Ranger Station at 530-333-4312.
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.)
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Rock Creek - Southern Trails
(Crossier Loop Critical Deer Winter Range)***
|
Seasonal closure IS in effect at this time: November 10 through May 1. ***
Call the Georgetown District Office at 530-333-4312 for current information. (Map and trail list is available on the Forest Order page.)
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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.)
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STATUS: PACIFIC RANGER DISTRICT - CRYSTAL BASIN AREA
| Road |
Status |
|
17N12 (FR 3/ CR 147)
Ice House
|
Open. Plowed intermittently in the winter by SMUD. About 18 inches of snow at Ice House elevation of 5,000 feet and 30 inches at Loon Lake elevation of 6,000 feet as of last storm in early December.
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17N12K
Angel Creek Day Use Aea
|
Closed due to road failure. 2017/18 STORM DAMAGE.
Forest Order 03-18-11
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FR 1/ CR 63
Wentworth Springs - from Uncle Toms to Ice House
|
Snow.
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Ellis Trailhead / Rubicon 4WD Trail
|
County road. Check out this web site for current conditions.
http://bit.ly/2wFztg2
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16E21
Barrett Lake Jeep Trail
|
Closed for winter. 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 .
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13N28
South Creek Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
Forest Order 03-18-21
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12N78
Union Valley Road
|
Closed for CONSTRUCTION September 4, 2018 through December 31, 2019
Forest Order 03-18-17
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12N52
Wolf Creek Road (north side of lake) from Westpoint Boatramp to Ice House road
|
Closed for CONSTRUCTION September 4, 2018 through December 31, 2019
Forest Order 03-18-17
|
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12N30
Bryant Springs - from Peavine Ridge to Westpoint Boatramp on Union Valley Reservoir
|
Closed for CONSTRUCTION from its intersection with 12N52 (Wolf Creek road), then south to its intersection with 12N30R (Westpoint Campground road).
Forest Order 03-18-17
September 4, 2018 through December 31, 2019
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11N99
Granite Springs
|
Closed due to snow. Partially Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Granite Springs is not passable 4 miles in from Ice House Rd. The damage continues for another 2 to 3 miles toward Wrights Rd. There are major slumps and landslides. Barricades and signs have been placed accordingly.
Forest Order 03-18-13
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11N60
Jaybird Canyon
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
Forest Order 03-17-20
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11N55
Peavine Ridge
|
Snow. SMUD intermittently plows to west side of Union Valley to access their facilities.
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11N52
Lake Shore Drive (north side of Ice House Reservoir)
|
Closed for CONSTRUCTION September 4, 2018 through December 31, 2019
Forest Order 03-18-17
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11N38
Weber Mill Road
|
Closed due to snow. Passable. A few new damage sites (mainly erosion) occurred during this past winter (2018). The road is passable to high clearance vehicles, not to passenger cars. High clearance vehicles should exercise caution.
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11N37
Ice House/ Wrights Lake Tie
|
Closed due to snow.
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11N26
Wrights Lake - from Highway 50 to Wrights Lake
|
Closed due to snow.
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STATUS: PLACERVILLE RANGER DISTRICT - HIGHWAY 50 SOUTH AREA
| Road |
Status |
|
12N59
Slab Creek Road
|
Closed due to 2017/18 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
|
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12N58
Camp Six Road
|
Closed due to 2017/18 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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12N34
Forebay Road
|
Open. Forebay Road from Pollock Pines area to the river.
Closed to motorized vehicles from the river to Poho Ridge.
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11N53
Alder Creek Picnic
|
Closed due to snow.
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11N46
Alder Creek
|
Closed due to snow.
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11N40
Silver Fork
|
Closed due to snow.
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11N23D
Packsaddle Pass
|
Closed due to snow.
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11N16
45 Mile Campground
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Closed due to snow.
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10N83
North South
|
Closed due to snow.
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10N40
Plum Creek
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
Forest Order 03-18-13
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9N49
Steely Road
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Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
Forest Order 03-18-13
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9N46
Bear Meadow Loop
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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9N45
Caldor
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable. 150’ washout 1 mile west of the intersection with the 10N83 road.
Forest Order 03-18-13.
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9N34
Hasse Dairy
Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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9N34C
McKinney Holdup
Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
Forest Order 03-18-13.
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9N10
Willow Flat
Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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Caples Trail System
|
Snow.
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Elkins Flat*
|
Snow.
See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*
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17E73
Strawberry Canyon
|
Closed due to snow.
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17E16
Little Round Top Trail
|
Closed due to snow.
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16E26
Long Canyon 4WD trail
|
Closed due to snow.
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14E31
Plummer Ridge Loop
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
Forest Order 03-18-13
|
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13E19
Pony Express Trail
|
Snow. The Trail Bridge 1/2 mile west of Kyburz landfill was destroyed by winter storms. A ford has been created on a slight re-route.
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13E08
Fleming Trail System
|
Open.
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13E04
Cedar Park Trail
|
Open.
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STATUS: AMADOR RANGER DISTRICT - HIGHWAY 88 AREA
| Road |
Status |
| 8N50
Salt Springs/ Tiger Creek
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
Tiger Creek road is being handled by PGE and is still unstable. Their engineers are working on a solution.
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8N32
Panther Ridge Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road. No funding for repairs at this time.
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8N25 (FR92)
Ellis Creek
|
Closed due to snow.
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8N23
Mehrten Springs
|
Closed due to snow.
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8N05 (FR91)
Panther Creek
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road. No funding for repairs at this time.
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8N05G
East Panther Creek 36 Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road. No funding for repairs at this time.
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8N03
Bear River
|
Closed due to snow.
|
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Gold Note*
|
Open.
See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*
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19E01
Deer Valley
|
Closed due to snow.
|
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17E79
Mud Lake Road and 17E24 / 16E26 Ridge
|
Closed due to snow.
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**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.
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