Eldorado National Forest Recreation Update Last update: February 3, 2012
ENF WWW Home Page	Forest-Wide	Amador Ranger District	Georgetown Ranger District	Pacific Ranger District	Placerville Ranger District
Forest Web Page Address: www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado ENFIA (Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association) Web Page: www.enfia.info
***** FOREST-WIDE INFORMATION***** ***FUELWOOD PERMIT SEASON AND RATES*** The woodcutting permit season is open. The minimum permit is $30.00 for two cords ($15.00 per cord). There is no longer a maximum amount of wood to be cut. Acceptable methods of payment are personal checks or cash. Personal Use permits are available from Amador, Georgetown, Pacific and Placerville Ranger Stations. Commercial permits may be obtained at the Pacific, Georgetown and Amador Ranger Districts. MORMON EMIGRANT TRAIL (MET) will be closed and gated at the Highway 88 end on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. As the weather changes to winter and the road is closed a snow berm may be placed on the MET at the Silver Fork junction. Wheeled motor vehicle use is prohibited on the 5-mile section of the MET from the Silver Fork Road junction to the Iron Mountain Sno-Park near Highway 88 during the winter season when the road is snow covered and used by snowmobiles on the Silverbear Snowmobile Trails system. The Mormon Emigrant Trail is not a state highway, so will not be listed on the Cal Trans road-condition phone number or website. Office locations for year-round visitor information and permits: Amador Ranger Station on Highway 88 in Pioneer (209) 295-4251: Open Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30. Closed weekends and holidays. Georgetown Ranger Station in Georgetown (530) 333-4312: Open 7 days a week, 8:00 to 4:30 Placerville Ranger Station in Camino (530) 644-2324: Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30, Closed weekends and holidays. Pacific Ranger Station in Pollock Pines (530) 644-2349: Open Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30, Closed weekends and holidays. Seasonal Informational Stations: · Carson Pass Information Station: Closed · Crystal Basin Information Station: Closed · Cleveland Information Station: Closed Fire Restrictions: · Visitors may use wood, charcoal, and/or gas fires/or gas fires/stoves outside of developed campgrounds as long as they are in possession of a valid California Campfire Permit and follow the regulations on the permit. · Campfires should be avoided during windy weather conditions. · Campfires are prohibited year-round in Desolation Wilderness and within areas of the Mokelumne Wilderness, above 8,000 feet in elevation, the Carson Pass Management Area, and within ¼ of a mile of Salt Springs Reservoir. · Campfire permits are free at all Forest Service, BLM, and CAL Fire Offices. Fishing & Hunting: · Lakes and reservoirs are open year-round. Stream fishing is closed. · For the fish-planting schedule, call (916) 351-0832 or visit the Department of Fish and Game web site – www.dfg.ca.gov . · For flow information use www.americanwhitewater.org · For information on rules and regulations, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations . Wilderness Desolation Wilderness: Permits are required year-round for both day and overnight use. · Reservations for overnight permits for Desolation Wilderness can be made at www.recreation.gov or over the phone by calling 1-877-444-6777. · First-come, first-serve permits are available at the Pacific Ranger District, located 4 miles east of Pollock Pines on the north side of Highway 50 at the Mill Run Road turn off. For information about Desolation Wilderness, please call (530) 647-5415 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 5 days a week or go to the Forest website – www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado . There are no campfires allowed in Desolation Wilderness, use only gas stoves. Mokelumne Wilderness: Permits are required year-round for overnight use. A day-use permit is not required for hiking in the Mokelumne Wilderness. The maximum group size for day-use is 12 people. Group size for overnight is restricted to a maximum of 8 people. Overnight permits for the Mokelumne Wilderness may be obtained at the following facilities (see schedules above): · Amador Ranger Station · Carson Pass Information Station. Closed for the winter season. · Placerville Ranger Station · By mail, or by calling, (209) 295-4251. For information go to the Forest website. Permits for Mokelumne Wilderness camping in the Carson Pass Management Area are issued on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carson Pass Information Station during the summer season. Campsites are assigned at Winnemucca, Round Top and 4^th of July Lakes. · Winter Snow Camping in the Carson Pass Management Area: A Wilderness Permit is still required for overnight camping. Designated sites will not be assigned when there is at least one foot of snow on the ground. Minimum distances from watersheds still apply, as well as group size limits and fire restrictions. Wilderness Permits are available from the Amador Ranger District. Please see Amador Ranger District section below for winter camping information. · Campfires are not permitted in the Carson Pass Management area, the Salt Springs Reservoir area or above 8,000 feet in the Mokelumne Wilderness at any time. Roads: NOTE: The Seasonal Road and Trail closure. Seasonal closures of dirt roads and trails become effective, January 1 of each year until March 31. Depending on weather the closure can be extended either before or after that time frame. Please see the Eldorado Forest website for information at www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado · Highway Closures: For California highway closures and chain control information, call the CAL-TRANS toll free phone number at 1-800-427-7623 or check their website at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ . · Caution: Travel on unimproved roads and trails during wet periods may damage the road surface. Please use discretion to avoid causing ruts or other resource damage. This is a citable offense. · Mormon Emigrant Trail from Highway 50 through to Highway 88 will be closed and gated, November 23, 2011. No through traffic from Highway 50 to Highway 88. · Important Notice for use of wheeled motorized vehicles! Since August 25, 2005, wheeled motorized vehicles can only operate on system roads and motorized trails. All other routes are not allowed. The Eldorado National Forest has completed a Travel Management Project to designate a wheeled motor vehicle route system. This plan to designate routes which may be traveled on may alter your choice of road access. Free maps are available at all offices on the Forest and in the field. Check the Forest website for more information about how it may affect your visit. Trails: · Tahoe Rim & Pacific Crest Trails: Permits are available through the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Office 530.543.2694 Private Resorts: Plasse’s Resort: - (209)258-8814. www.plassesresort.com Closed Kit Carson Resort:- (209)258-8500. www.kitcarsonlodge.com Call for winter cabin reservations. Caples Lake Resort: - (209)258-8888. www.capleslakeresort.com Call for winter cabin reservations. Bear River Resort: - (209)2954868. www.bearrivercampground.com Closed Kirkwood Resort: - (209) -258-6000. www.kirkwood.com Call for winter season information. Ice House Resort: - (530) 293-3321 Echo Lake Chalet: - (530) 659-7207. www.echochalet.com Cabin Rentals : · To make reservations for Robb’s Hut, Loon Lake Chalet, Sly Park Cabin, Harvey West Cabin or Van Vleck Bunkhouse you can call : 1–877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov . Seasonal Information: Campfire Permits: In undesignated camp areas you must have a valid California Campfire Permit. Have your shovels, fire-extinguisher/buckets with you, and always be ready at all times for anything. NEVER leave a campfire unattended and ALWAYS remember to put your campfire out completely. Boating: Please check conditions. Most boat launch facilities are closed for the season. We are asking that everyone in the boat, please put on your life preservers, before entering your boats. Launch fees may apply. The following information applies to general areas of the Eldorado National Forest. Highway 88: For more information, please call the Amador Ranger Station at 209-295-4251. Public Phones: Available at PiPi, Pardoes Point, and Kirkwood Campgrounds and on the porch of the Carson Pass Information Station. Carson Pass Information Station, closed for winter. PARKING: · Effective November 1, a $5.00 daily Sno-Park Permit is required at Carson, Meiss Lake and Iron Mountain parking areas. Permits may be obtained through the Amador Ranger District in Pioneer. You may also purchase permits online or call the Sno-Park Hotline at 916-324-1222. · The Eldorado Irrigation District (EID) charges a $5.00 day use fee at Silver Lake, on the continuous property from the west entrance of Kays Road to Ferguson Point Day Use which includes the Dam parking area. BOATING: Caples Lake Boat Ramp; Closed. Bear River Day Use area and Boat Launch; Closed. CAMPGROUNDS and FACILITIES: NO-FEE CAMPGROUNDS: You need a valid California Campfire Permit to have a campfire or use a stove in these areas. Please remember to bring your own water and to pack out your trash. · Mokelumne River - Open · White Azalea – Open · Moore Creek - Open Closed Campgrounds: · Designated Campgrounds are closed for the season. Dispersed camping allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit. OPEN ROADS: High Elevation roads may be impassable when snow-covered and icy. Four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Sierra. Drive safely. Have chains in your possession. · North South Road; may have snow or ice and be impassable as winter weather occurs. · Sopiago Creek Road; may have snow or ice and be impassable as winter weather occurs. · Tiger Creek Road; Open throughout the winter, may be wet or icy. Drive carefully. CLOSED ROADS and TRAILS: · Panther Creek Road; Currently snow closure. · Ellis Road – NO THROUGH ROUTE TO MOKELUMNE RIVER due to a landslide; Currently snow closure. · Bear River Road; Road is gated by Amador Co. before the dam. · Tragedy Springs Road · Kit Carson Road – Closed by Amador Co. · Plasses Road; Gated at Hwy. 88 by Amador Co. · Mud Lake Road · Dufrene Road · Cat Creek, Mehrten Spring and Foster Meadow Roads · Woods Lake; Alpine Co. closure · Forestdale; Alpine Co. closure · Schneider Cow Camp; Alpine Co. closure · Kirkwood Lake · Blue Lakes Road; Alpine Co. closure Between Highway 50 and Highway 88: For more Information, please call the Placerville Ranger District at 530-644-2324. ALL CAMPGROUNDS ON THE DISTRICT ARE CLOSED FOR THE WINTER. · Lovers Leap and Pyramid Creek/Twin Bridges Trailhead parking lots are closed for the Winter. When the Pyramid Parking Lot is closed, there is no legal parking to access the trailhead. Parking along the highway may result in a California Highway Patrol Citation. · Bridal Veil Picnic Area Closed. · Capps Crossing Group Campground – Reservations may be made online at recreation.gov or by calling 1 (877) 444-6777 · Silver Fork – Closed for the winter. OPEN ROADS and TRAILS: · Silver Fork Road is open to Mormon Emigrant Trail. No access during the winter to Highway 88. Please use 4wheel drive and have chains in your possession. · North / South Road – is accessible to PiPi Campground (Closed for the season), and through to Highway 88. Four-wheel drive recommended. Icy conditions. Have chains in your possession. May have snow or ice and be impassable as winter weather occurs. Highway 50 North and Crystal Basin Area (Pacific Ranger District) For more Information, please call the Pacific Ranger District at 530-644-2349 Road Report 1/23/12 Icehouse Road – clear and mostly dry to Northshore CG at Loon Lake; accessible by all vehicles; beyond Northshore CG up to the Rubicon T. H., 4W.D. or chains recommended for vehicles due to extremely icy sections. Icehouse Reservoir Road (11N37) – plowed but snow-packed and icy; snow berm now at Wrights Tie Rd (11N37) and 11N98 Jct. Icehouse Reservoir – boat launch, parking area and day-use area by the dam is plowed; 7” of snow on the ground. Loon LK Chalet – 0 inches of snow on the ground. Loon Lake – thin layer of ice has formed on the south end of the lake; open water On the north half of the lake. Wentworth Springs Road – from Icehouse Rd Jct to Hartless Mtn has intermittent icy patches in “S” curves on the Pacific Side; accessible by all vehicles, but strongly advise 4WD or chains due to extremely icy patches. Wentworth Sp. Rd. from Loon Lake Jct to Bunker Hill Rd (14N07) Jct – accessubke to all vehicles; no snow, ice or other obstructions on the road; from Bunker Hill Jct (14N07) road is extremely icy and recommend vehicles with chains. Peavine Ridge (11N55) to Bryant Springs Road (12N30) – plowed Westpoint Boat Ramp – boat launch not currently plowed Granite Springs Road (11N99)- dry and dusty; closed to OHV riding. Wrights LK Rd.(11N26) - from Hwy 50 Jct accessible to all vehicles; at Lyons Cr T. H. (MM5) extremely icy sections persist up to Wrights LK CG; strongly recommend vehicles with 4WD Or chains. Wrights LK Tie Rd (11N37) from Icehouse Rd. Jct to MM6 – accessible by all vehicles: beyond MM6 to Wrights LK Rd JCT (11N26) recommend vehicles with chains due to several uphill icy sections. Peavine Ridge (11N55 tof 12N30) to Westpoint CG Boat Ramp – dry and accessible by all vehicles. For Camino Dispatch info: Boat ramps at Sunset CG and Loon Lk CG gates are closed/locked To vehicle use, but are dry and clear of snow or other obstructions for helicopter use; Icehouse Boat Parking area/Picnic area and Westpoint Boat Ramp area are also clear and dry, but remain open to public use. No significant change in the weather or road conditions. Seasonal roads closures are in effect until Apr. 1^st2012. Wood cutting and camping must be restricted to paved surface roads. OHV’s are not allowed on dirt surface roads at least until April 1. Bassi Falls Rd. is closed to motor vehicles but accessible by foot. Saturday’s storm brought much needed precipitation in the form of rain and snow to the Crystal Basin Recreation Area. Snow level is 4200’ (just north above Cleveland Corral and south below Peavine Ridge). Although SMUD has plowed the main arterial roads to their facilities, those roads are snow-packed and icy, causing very hazardous driving conditions. Wintery conditions cover the District north of Robbs Valley from (Cheesecamp Rd 13N22). All Campgrounds in the Crystal Basin are CLOSED OPEN Boat Ramps, docks are no longer in the water: · Westpoint · Ice House · Barrett Lake Jeep Trail is CLOSED HIGHWAY 193 FROM GEORGETOWN TO ICE HOUSE ROAD: For more campground Information, please call the Georgetown Ranger District: 530-333-4312. OPEN CAMPGROUNDS and FACILITIES: · Dru Barner Park stays open – weather permitting · Hell Hole Campgrounds (upper and lower) stay open until the snow prevents access. · Big Meadows Campground is closed for the Winter. · Stumpy Meadows Boat Ramp stays open year around. · Ponderosa Cove Campground is closed for the Winter. · Black Oak Campground is closed for the Winter. CLOSED CAMPGROUNDS: · Middle Meadows · Stumpy Meadows · Big Meadows · Ponderosa Cove · Black Oak · For more information, if you are coming from the Tahoe National Forest side, please call: 530-367-2224.
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