Roads and Trail Status
Last updated: May 7, 2021
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
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The Seasonal Road and Trail closure is NOT in effect as of April 1.
- 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.
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42 Route Meadow Closure
|
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All affected roads have been completed. Project Web Page
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Mormon Emigrant Trail (MET) / Iron Mountain road
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Placerville/ Amador
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CLOSED. Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Closure 03-21-03. Snow and ice and ice gets thick beginning at Pilliken Road when travelling toward Highway 88 from Sly Park Road. Not accessible all the way through. This typically doesnt happen until late May/early June.
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STATUS: GEORGETOWN RANGER DISTRICT - WENTWORTH SPRINGS AND HELL HOLE AREAS
| Road |
Status |
|
ELD-63
Wentworth Springs Road (from Georgetown to Eleven Pines road)
|
Open.
|
|
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.
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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
|
Open. Snow drifts.
|
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13N42
Pigeon Roost
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
|
Forebay Road |
Open. |
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11NY05
Crooked Silver Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
|
|
Rock Creek - West Trails**
|
Open.
The Rock Creek Trails are appropriate for OHVs, bicycles, equestrians and hikers. There may be some down trees blocking sections of trails, so please use with caution. If you come to an obstruction, please turn around. Do not go off trail to get around the obstacle, because it causes resource damage.
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)***
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The winter closure IS 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.
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Rock Creek - East side portion
|
Open.
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 |
|
ELD-147 (FR 3)
Ice House Road (Highway 50 to Loon Lake)
|
Snowdrifts in higher elevation and shaded areas. Intermittently plowed by SMUD to access their facilities.
|
|
ELD-63
Wentworth Springs Road (from 14N08 Eleven Pines road intersection on Georgetown District to Ice House road intersection)
|
Road still has snow between Uncle Tom's Cabin and Ice House Road
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ELD-63
Wentworth Springs Road (from Ice House road intersection going to Loon north towards Gerle Creek)
|
Road is covered in snow north of the Loon Lake turnoff.
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17N12K
Angel Creek Day Use Area
|
Closed.
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Ellis Trailhead / Rubicon 4WD Trail
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16E21
Barrett Lake Jeep Trail
|
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
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13N28
South Creek Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
|
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12N78
Union Valley Road
|
Closed.
|
|
12N52
Wolf Creek Road (north side of lake) from Westpoint Boatramp to Ice House road
|
Closed.
|
|
12N30
Bryant Springs - from Peavine Ridge to Westpoint Boatramp on Union Valley Reservoir
|
Snow and Ice. Intermittently plowed by SMUD to access their facilities.
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11N99
Granite Springs
|
The Seasonal Road and Trail closure IS in effect as of January 1.
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.*
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11N60
Jaybird Canyon
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Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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11N55
Peavine Ridge
|
Snow and Ice. Intermittently plowed by SMUD to access their facilities.
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11N52
Lake Shore Drive (north side of Ice House Reservoir)
|
Closed.
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11N38
Weber Mill Road
|
The Seasonal Road and Trail closure IS in effect as of January 1.
See Seasonal Road and Trail Closure in Forest Order table at the top of the page.*
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11N37
Ice House/ Wrights Lake Tie
|
Snow and Ice.
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11N26
Wrights Lake - from Highway 50 to Wrights Lake
|
Snow and Ice.
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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.
|
|
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
|
The Seasonal Road and Trail closure IS in effect as of January 1.
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11N46
Alder Creek
|
The Seasonal Road and Trail closure IS in effect as of January 1.
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11N40
Silver Fork
|
Partially accessible. Not open to Mormon Emigrant Trail due to snow..
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11N23D
Packsaddle Pass
|
Closed.
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11N16
45 Mile Campground
|
Snow and ice.
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10N83
North South
|
Partially accessible
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10N40
Plum Creek
|
Closed at MP12.7, Storm Damage/flagged, also large tree down blocking south side of storm damage at MP 14.
|
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9N49
Steely Road
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Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
|
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9N46
Bear Meadow Loop
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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.
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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.
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9N10
Willow Flat
Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
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Caples Trail System
|
Still snow in many areas and a lot of downed trees due to several severe windstorms this winter.
The following trails still have safety concerns due to the Caples Fire 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.
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Elkins Flat*
|
Although the seasonal closure lifted on April 1, the trails still have snow drifts in areas and has many downed trees due to several severe wind storms this winter.
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17E73
Strawberry Canyon
|
Although the seasonal closure lifted on April 1, the trail is at high elevation and has snow.
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17E16
Little Round Top Trail
|
Although the seasonal closure lifted on April 1, the trail is at high elevation and has snow.
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16E26
Long Canyon 4WD trail
|
Although the seasonal closure lifted on April 1, the trail is at high elevation and has snow.
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14E31
Plummer Ridge Loop
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE. Impassable.
|
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13E19
Pony Express Trail
|
Open. Snow from recent storm.
|
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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. PG&E handles access to this gate.
|
|
8N32
Panther Ridge Road
|
Closed due to 2016/17 STORM DAMAGE.
Access into the area is limited to Ellis road when not covered in snow. No funding for repairs at this time.
|
|
8N25 (FR92)
Ellis Creek
|
Open.
|
|
8N23
Mehrten Springs
|
Although the seasonal closure lifted on April 1, the road may still have snow.
|
|
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
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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 when not covered by snow. No funding for repairs at this time.
|
|
8N03
Bear River
|
Snow and Ice.
|
|
Gold Note*
|
Although the seasonal closure lifted on April 1, the trails still have snow drifts in areas and may have many downed trees due to several severe wind storms this winter.
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19E01
Deer Valley
|
Closed.
|
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17E79
Mud Lake Road and 17E24 / 16E26 Ridge
|
Closed.
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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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