Trail Run Descriptions
Camping is allowed anywhere along the trail and at the Loon Lake Staging area. Be advised, stay within 25' of the centerline of the trail. $275 fine for driving or camping off the trail on either side by 25'. No camping within 100' of water / lakes / rivers.
Important Trail Rules, Truck requirements and general information
There are many changes for Rubithon in the last 3 years. We ask that you read all the information provided so you may have an enjoyable TLCA event experience!
Safety will be foremost in our planning and execution of Rubithon. All Drivers will ensure their Spotters have gloves at the ready. Gloves will be worn when spotting or stacking rocks. We started this requirement in 2007, and it has greatly reduced hand and finger injuries.
All Rubithon attendees must be active TLCA Members. To help ensure your TLCA is current, Rubithon is providing two new methods to include TLCA Membership with your Rubithon registration; additional line item or included in the Premier package.
Rubithon offers many ways to experience the Rubicon Trail. However, to ensure the safety of everyone attending, our equipment, our environment and our reputation as responsible off road enthusiasts, specific rules and requirements apply to all including:
Minimum vehicle requirements include a minimum of 33" tires and either a: single locker or lower tranny/transfer case gearing. All vehicles must also have or carry: Hi Lift Jack easily accessible, front and rear hooks or strap attachment points, a strap (no chains or metal hooks), working fire extinguisher, first aid kit and personal toilet.
Rubithon will be requiring every truck in attendance to have the ability to pack out any and all human waste. This can be purchased from Rocky Trail Outfitters: www.RockyTrail.com
Rubithon now enables all levels of experience to select a run format that suites their desires including escorted groups with experienced Trail Committee or opportunities for small groups to enter without the guidance of Trail committee. If you have run the Rubicon before and chose to enter with your friends in a small group, Rubithon will coordinate entry times on Wednesday, late Thursday and Late Friday to help ensure an open trail and not impact Formal groups. For those TLCA Members who are experiencing the Rubicon for the first time or enjoy the fun and friendship to be found in organized events, we strongly recommend one of the many formal groups leaving on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. But hurry, these groups can fill to capacity.
Formal Groups
Rubithon Trail Committee volunteers are committed to ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable wheeling experience on the Rubicon Trail. Trail Committee must also put the benefit of the group first and foremost in their trail decisions. Most of the formal runs are expected to by pass the major obstacles in an effort to ensure everyone gets to Rubicon Springs at a reasonable hour. But don.t be disappointed, there will still be plenty of challenges waiting for you! If you break hard, you can expect Trail committee to remain with you while the group continues on. It is not uncommon (and should be expected) for 3 or 4 trucks to remain behind and repair a major trail breakage while the group continues on.
While on the Trail, Trail Committee have full responsibility including determining whether or not your truck is safe enough to traverse the trail. This is done during Safety Inspections one hour before your departure time. All TLCA Members registered for a formal run should plan to arrive two hours before the departure time to allow plenty of time for introductions, safety inspection and drivers meeting. Trail committee is instructed Not to wait and will leave exactly at the designated time. If you are late, you will need to tag along with the next group if they have room. Don.t be Late!
See the TLCA safety guidelines on the TLCA web site.
Dogs must be on a leash as a courtesy to everyone attending.
Individual Groups
Formerly known as Outlaw runs, bootleg runs, personal runs, bad apples and renegades, many Rubicon experienced TLCA Members have signed up on formal runs because they had to and then made their own way to Rubicon Springs. Rubithon will work with these groups to assign individual entry times to help ensure a clear trail and avoid impacting or bumping into the formal groups. Rubithon wants these folks to register accordingly and comply with all event rules detailed here including safety, portable toilets and all other CA laws.
Rubithon will not be responsible for the safe passage to Rubicon Springs but we shouldn.t need to because individual groups consist of experienced drivers.
Registration Fee Format
During the worst recession since the 1930's, Rubithon is striving to provide value to TLCA members by keeping registration costs down. New unit pricing will allow attendees to choose only what items they want beyond the standard registration fee. Basic registration starts at $70 this year. For additional value, check out the Premier Pack.
Please note: Rubithon no longer offers Breakfast Runs. You can still stop at either Ice House Resort or Robbs Resort and enjoy breakfast, but this is no longer included in the registration.
Unit Pricing for 2009! Purchase exactly which items and how many of each you want with unit pricing.
The Regular event fee of $70 includes event registration, Rubicon Springs camping, event dash plaque, and 1 Grand Prize Raffle Ticket. Please note that the fee goes up to $100 after May 31.
The Premier Package at $200.00 includes event fee, 2 dinners, 2 T-shirts, TLCA 1st class membership (or renewal), Goody Bag and an extra grand prize raffle ticket.
Formal Group Listing
Run 1: Tuesday 9 am
Depart Loon Lake at 9 a.m. Trail leader: Larry 'Yodaman' Kitihara
This run will be leaving from Loon Lake at 9 a.m.! This group will enjoy a leisurely pace to either Buck Island Lake or Rubicon Springs and be in front of all traffic.
Run 2: Wednesday 7 am
Depart Loon Lake at 7 a.m. Trail leader: TBA
This run will be leaving from Loon Lake at 8 a.m.! This group will enjoy a leisurely pace to either Buck Island Lake or Rubicon Springs and be in front of all traffic Wednesday.
Run 3: Wednesday Wagon Run
Depart Loon Lake at 8 a.m. Trail Leader: Andy Pollock
This run for 2009 is for wagons only which will leave Loon Lake at 8 a.m. All wagons must meet minimum truck requirements and body protection is recommended. This group will enjoy a leisurely pace to either Buck Island Lake or Rubicon Springs.
Run 4: Wednesday 2 p.m. - Double Locker Run
Meet at Loon Lake at 2 p.m. Trail Leader: Gary (Mudrak) Kardum
This run is for the hard core enthusiasts who just want more Rubicon than most. Body damage and mechanical breakage is to be expected. The entire trail and all obstacles will be run in any direction desired. Lockers, gears, suspension and a good attitude are mandatory. TLCA Members wishing to participate on this run must be confirmed by Trail Leader and Chairman
Your fun will only be limited by your group’s ability to keep moving!
Run 5: Thursday 7 a.m. - Straight to Rubicon Springs
Depart Loon Lake 7 a.m. Trail Leader: 'Big Jim' Adams
This group will run straight through to Rubicon Springs on Thursday. Emphasis will be on safe and expeditious pace, choosing to take most by passes in an effort to keep the group moving. Friday is a relaxing day in the springs, allowing time for swimming, fishing or enjoying an afternoon trip up and down Cadillac Hill.
Run 6: Thursday 9 a.m. - Buck Island Overnight
Depart Loon Lake at 9 a.m. Trail Leaders: Bill Jackson
By far the most favored run, this group will leave for Buck Island at 9 a.m. Emphasis will be on a safe and expeditious pace, choosing to take most by passes in an effort to keep the group moving. This group will overnight at Buck Island Lake if there is enough space, or continue on to Rubicon Springs if no camping options are available.
Run 7: Thursday Night Buggy Run
Depart at 6 p.m. Little Sluice • Trail Leader: Tom Wayes
The name says it all. Got a buggy and like to play? This run is for you.
Run 8: Solo or Club Group (Georg, MTA, Toys)
If you're planning on running with your own organized group, you probably know who to contact. Check with the Rubithon committee if you wish to join with one of these runs, and we will direct you to the right person to talk with.
Marlin Crawler and friends - Trail Sweep
Depart Loon Lake on Marlin Time! Trail Leader: Marlin Crawler and crew.
Marlin has graciously volunteered to run Trail Sweep. Trail Sweep will depart Loon Lake on Marlin time and repair any truck found broken along the trail during his trip to Rubicon Springs. They will eventually camp near a severely maimed truck. You have to really want to go with Marlin and you must get confirmation from Marlin himself.
Camp Activities
| Friday night | TBA | |
| Friday night | TBA | |
| Saturday morning | TBA | |
| Saturday afternoon | TBA | |
| Saturday evening | TBA | |
| Saturday night | TBA | |
| Saturday night | TBA | |
| Sunday exit | TBA |