N. Bloomfield Rd to Alleghany -- Sunday Feb 24

Sounds like fun Carl. Sorry I can't make it this weekend.

Have fun. That's the same general area I lead a run to every year.



I've always wondered about getting over to Alleghany but the Forest Service maps show the small portion that crosses the Middle Yuba as closed during this time of the year. It's an odd little section of FS road sandwiched between County Road so I'm not sure what the deal is. Your second map shows you going up Gaston Grade out of Washington. That is closed by the FS (I think). I'm a bit baffled by the process, but here's what I'm basing that off of.



1. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tahoe/lan ... rdb5251140 - TNF website on their process

2. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 251624.pdf - Record of Decision on Travel Management up there which selects Alternative 6.

3. http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/ab ... 031363.pdf - Map showing Alternative 6.



Like I said, I can't figure out what is right anymore which should be obvious based on my Strawberry question and the fact that Greg pointed out that the above map shows roads closed that other places on the FS website show open.



Either way, conditions should be perfect up there. We got a few inches of snow at my house (2,600'😉 so there should be plenty of fresh stuff up that way.

^Thanks a mucho for the info Keane. I attempted looking at this stuff yesterday with a massive head cold. It did not go well. 😳 Bad assumption that the maps for TNF would be similar to ENF, which I've gotten a bit familiar with. (I'm still digesting the Draft SEIS released yesterday.)



Those routes were provided by the coworker, fwiw. Thanks very much for the heads up and I'll do some calls if needed to confirm things. I'll surely post any news on that too.

Definitely let us know what you find out! I'm just too lazy to call and have always found a way around them but that Plumbago crossing has always been of interest.



Gaston is also a good route. There are some steep spots that can get tough though.

I called the Yuba Ranger Office and spoke with Heather Newell and the route is not closed. The only issue that is not allowed during the wet season is causing resource damage. Her example were people going in, getting stuck causing damage, and calling SAR. My response was to attempt reaching Malekoff, followed by Alleghany and that we were prepared. I told it was 4x4 highway vehicles like in my 4x4 Pickup. "Yes....you can go in your pickup. <chuckle> ok."





Also, b/c the TNF MVUM is not released....they are going by "what they have in hand in the office". It's a good idea to call them directly. 😀

"Wh1t3Nukle" wrote: Also, b/c the TNF MVUM is not released....they are going by "what they have in hand in the office". It's a good idea to call them directly. 😀

So they have a ROD and the information is all over their website but you're supposed to ignore it? The FS never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for calling.



Take some pictures of the river down there. That's where the kayakers Rob and I took in ended their journey years ago. Man I dig it up there!

So I did a little digging and here's what it comes down to...Since the Feds are being sued they are holding off releasing their final map. Hopefully we'll win this one.



http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/land-use ... st14582741

"Bender" wrote: [quote="Wh1t3Nukle"]Also, b/c the TNF MVUM is not released....they are going by "what they have in hand in the office". It's a good idea to call them directly. 😀

So they have a ROD and the information is all over their website but you're supposed to ignore it?

Well, I didn't come away with that nor would I condone it. I'd say what is on the website is usable, but if you have further questions (like I did), then call. Apparently alot of the routes also share county road designations. Also, it's not clear what it means when a route is not shown on any of those maps (at least I couldn't determine that definition).



Bang. I did recall that lawsuit and it makes sense it's outcome affects the eventual MVUM.







Meetup time and place:



the IHOP in Grass Valley (746 Taylorville Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949) at 9 am if you want to eat and 10am if you don’t.





I'm riding in Sean's Open Seat as my head cold is diminishing. So that is my plan.

I just got a text from Carl's wife, 9:30pm and she has not heard anything all day. Any one have a ham radio that can call for the group and see what's up?

Just an up date 11:10 still no word.

Any word from carl?

1:30 update. No word yet.

Almost 3am and still no word. I am planning to go up at around 5 am and get them.

Whooo hooooo 4am and they are out of the woods!!!!!

All good and safe off trail. Took wrong turn. Lots of winching. Lots of learning. Good ti have 2 SAR in the group. More later bc im in trouble. Lol

I'm just glad all are OK. Take your beating, it's part of the learning process.

=====

"Path 88" wrote: Whooo hooooo 4am and they are out of the woods!!!!!

We had a Fordyce trip like that once. Thought we'd never get off that mountain.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

Glad to hear everyone made it out ok. Where did you end up?

"Bender" wrote: Glad to hear everyone made it out ok. Where did you end up?

We ended up with this route.



http://goo.gl/maps/N4LUu



Problems occurred in the Meadow Lake area. About 2 miles leading up to it. Unfortunately, the guy leading this lost his bearings. He was able to make it up to Forest Rd 50 and saw a sign that said Bowman Lake 2 miles. Right then I said....we are way the heck off...turn this bus around!



Pics and more details to follow.

They made it out around four this am.

Yikes!



Well I'm glad everyone made it home safely.

"Wh1t3Nukle" wrote:
Unfortunately, the guy leading this lost his bearings. He was able to make it up to Forest Rd 50 and saw a sign that said Bowman Lake 2 miles. Right then I said....we are way the heck off...turn this bus around!

Well that guy is seriously fired!! Lol

You're lucky you didn't drop over the hill past 41! That is a tough hill to get back out of with snow on it. As a side note...in an emergency NID has a dam keeper that lives below Bowman main dam. He'd be pissed that you made tracks to his house since he gets out by snowmobile but it would be better than sleeping in a stuck truck. Also, you weren't even close to Meadow Lake...