overland

Tahoe Backcountry Discovery Trail (California)

OTG Ben

OTG Principal Explorer
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
469
Location
NorCal
Please post trail status for the Tahoe BDT here.

Include the Following for all Status Updates

Date:
Current Status:
Additional Details:


Example of a Trail Update for a Route

Date:
4/25/2021

Current Status: Open with some issues

Additional Details: Recent rains have caused the river levels to rise substantially. Buffalo River is approximately 3' deep. Lifted vehicles with larger tires (33" +) may find it difficult and/or dangerous to cross Buffalo River. There's another crossing that's about 30" deep 1/2 mile north of the main crossing. We recommend checking water levels first, but this is typically the alternative crossing point. Aside from water levels, the rest of the trail is running fantastic!
 

OTG Ben

OTG Principal Explorer
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
469
Location
NorCal
Date: 4/24/2021

Status: Significant portions of the route remain closed due to snow.

Details: Check back in late May/early June for route accessibility. It was a light snow year in California, so the trail may open earlier than expected.
 

Skifreak1!

Trail Grom
Joined
Mar 15, 2022
Messages
1
- 5/19/22 - 5/23/22
- Current status: Reroute Required
- Additional Details:
A) Hennesey pass road intersection with 19n20 (39.50739, -120.73090): had to stop due to SUSPECTED deep snow as reported by a couple side by side riders. u know what they say....discretion vs valor....

B) Grizzly Ridge Road at intersection with Walls Flat Road (39.39663, -120.90866) has locked gate. requires backtrack on Grizzly Ridge Road to Bear Trap Springs Road (39.40249, -120.91858), take Bear Trap Road to left on Cruzon Grade Road (39.39372, -120.93396), bare left onto Back Bone Road (39.38794, -120.91913) onto Derbec Road (39.39098, -120.90452). this is an entrance to Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. You are now back on the Tahoe Backcountry Discovery route.

Enjoy!
 

dennis_c-3802

Trail Grom
Joined
Dec 9, 2022
Messages
9
- 8/26/23-9/1/23
- Current status: Open with closure on paved road 96. Must go through Georgetown instead.
- Additional Details - We skipped the loop that goes to North Fork Campground due to time spent at lakes.

Day 1 - San Diego to Rocklin via 5
Day 2 - Rocklin to Camptonville to Meadowlake and stayed for 2 nights. Great campsite right on the water, great lake!
Day 4 - Meadow Lake to Bowman Lake - Rough last 2 miles into bowman lake. Campsite okay, above the lake quite a bit, near boat ramp. Windy
Day 5 - Bowman Lake to 20 to 80 to French Meadow Resevoir. Once again slow 2 mile bumpy ride out of bowman lake then down from the dam. One switchback turn with some big holes but no problem for stock Jeep JKU and Ford Raptor. Slow in 4WD Low. Skipped the loop past North Fork campground and falls and went straight up the 80 to Soda Springs then to French Meadow Reservoir
Day 6 - Stayed a 2nd night at French Meadow Reservoir. Nice site a little above the lake. Got a bit windy mid day both days. Campsites were mostly open when we arrived 8-30 to 9-1 but were about to all fill up starting 9-1. We left before it got packed and as it started to rain
Day 7 - Wanted to leaved quickest route possible to head back to San Diego. Tried to drive 96 out and found the gate locked afree driving about 30 miles. Backtracked and took Hwy 22 from the French Meadow Reservoir Dam to Georgetown. Decided to loop the trip and not take the 5 back so went Hwy 50 to 88 to 89 to 395 for a long windy 12 hour drive back to San Diego.

Overall Epic Trip! Best time for me was Meadow Lake.
 
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