Wentworth Wednesday...melting snow

[Fastfar]

As the Solar Plow does it's work, the cowardly snow-pack is retreating with haste...a week ago there was snow on the road below Stumpy Meadows, this day the snow has melted off to a point about 2 miles above Uncle Tom's Cabin... But beware, the road is 'dirty' in many spots, often just out of sight around a curve and sometimes blocking an entire lane.

Finally we can get to the Wentworth Springs Rd. junction with FR-2/11 Pines Rd


Just after 11 Pines Rd. is an infamous biker type hangout that also attracts campers, off road-riders/ATV'ers
and passersby looking for a cold brew. They have a decent Memorial Day party too.


The new signs at the "old" turnoff to Uncle Tom's which washed out this winter. The "new" turnoff is 1/2 mile up the road...
go slow, it's easy to miss.


Just a couple of miles on, I saw the expected snow pack and some wheel tracks thoughtfully provided for the FJR.


This is as far as I go, the Ranger turned around here too, unable to get the small 4x4 throught the 2' deep snow,
which is heavy and soft and melting fast.


The FJR looks forlornly at the road less traveled. This really is the end of the road for now...
come back in a week and another mile or two will be rideable...


A close-up look at the snow blocking the road. This spot is a good 5 miles from Icehouse Rd.,
much of it on North facing slopes which are slow to melt off.


I thought about trying to plow my way through the deep snow, this was the best I could do.


After extracting the bike, I needed a break...


Well, that all there is to this thread...the road ain't open, but come on up anyway...the weather is gerat, not much traffic up here, and and the riding is interesting...next thread is about Forest Rd. 2/ 11 Pines Rd...

[Fastfar]

Next on my agenda this day was a scouting foray down Forest Road 2 aka 11 Pines Rd. I was intent on just making it to the bridge over the Rubicon, but I was unsure of conditions on the descent across a north slope of the canyon and I proceeded carefully, fully expecting some uglyness on the road surface...

It started early, 1/4 mile from Wentworth Springs Rd. I met this...


...and it continued in this manner as I descended into the canyon...







It wasn't just falling rocks (and mud, trees and other debris)


...there is a section of "falling road" too.

Once at the bridge, I suspected that I might be able to make it up to French Meadows Resovoir, but I was out of time so made do with a few more pics at the Rubicon River...

Crossing over the Rubicon...is this bridge


Crossing under the bridge is this river...


Next to the bridge is this wreck...



A last arty pic on the way out, I just had to pose at this typical sign of Spring, this ain't water, this is melted snow folks...

[pashnit]

Great post John - always fun to eagerly await the closest pass opening up each springtime. Sort of like a springtime rite. I know last year, as soon as Wentworth Springs Rd was passable, had to head up there and make a run on Stumpy Meadows. Steering around the snow at the Hartless Mountain Summit. Great road!



Makes you wonder, uh honey, where's the car.

[exwingnut]

Nice work John... I am so ready for the Sierra summer roads!

Steve

[Enfield]

Any idea how the snow is at Icehouse Road? Am I crazy to hope for enough melting to make it over Wentworth to Icehouse next Saturday? I don't mind a mile or two in a truck tire track, but I'd hate to venture for 10 or 20 minutes just to find that I need to turn back.

[Fastfar]

I seriously doubt that Wentworth will be open all the way to Icehouse Rd. for a couple of weeks...but I'll go check tomorrow for you

[twong1100]

Thanks for the updates.

I'm attending the Auburn BMW rally on memorial day and was hoping to ride down Wentworth and Icehouse. Hopefully it will be passable by then.

Have you been down any of the more goat trail roads latey? I was thinking about taking in Silver Fork, Iron Mountain and North/South on the same weekend.

[bftownsend]

Great pics guys

[lounorcal4x4]

Great pic's John... I can't wait to meet up with you and ride... With the weather the way its been I have yet to really do any good rides on the bike you sold me. But Oregon is just around the corner..