Rovers on the Rubicon
The Northern California Land Rover Club’s Rovicon event is all about taking on and conquering the Rubicon Trail, the most infamous Jeep trail in the world
This tough trail was once the preserve of the Jeep, but we know a vehicle even better
THE Sierra Nevada offers a plethora of adventure-based opportunities for any offroader looking to explore; it is just one of the many incredible wilderness areas that the Northern California Land Rover Club call home. Located within these soaring mountains is the Rubicon Trail, a route that is so iconic it really needs no introduction. Jeep has long used it to distinguish it’s most capable Wrangler model, and has long supported the Jeepers Jamboree in its 50-plus years of history. Not only an off-road trail famous for the technical prowess, it also offers the beauty and isolation that make this landscape of California so special.
Originally, what has become known as the Rubicon Trail, was used by Native Americans travelling back and forth between the Sacramento Valley and Lake Tahoe in what is now northern California. The trail was not discovered by European travellers until the 1840s.
The trail was named after the Rubicon River, which the trail crosses. The river in turn was named after the Rubicon River in northern Italy. That Rubicon was crossed in 49 BC by Julius Caesar during the Roman Civil War. Since Caesar, crossing the Rubicon has become a metaphor for ‘the point of no return.’
Vehicles have been travelling the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada range for more than a century. The first automobile crossing of the Rubicon Trail was done in 1908, by a woman who drove from Lake Tahoe to Rubicon Springs. The trail has become a bucket list item for off-roaders since the first Jeep Jamboree, which was held in 1953.
Over the years since the first Jeep Jamboree, there have come to be many more events on the Rubicon trail featuring groups like the Marlin Crawlers round up, Rubithon hosted by the Land Cruiser club, and many more brand specific events.
However, there had never been an annual event specific to Land Rovers. Rovers have been on the trail
"If you're looking for an off-road experience of a lifetime, the Rubicon Trail is a must"
for years and the Northern California Land Rover Club are no strangers to the trail, with many of its members frequenting it each summer.
So, a few friends (myself, Don Happel and Eric Herbert) had an idea of setting out to start something for the entire Land Rover community and helping those that had the interest to run it and enjoy the trail with like-minded owners. We dubbed the inaugural event Rovicon.
This is the second year of the event which has already doubled in size thanks to the publicity of the Centre Steer Podcast, Snail Trail 4x4 Podcast, Wheeling Wine & Whiskey podcast, and Alloy + Grit Magazine’s own Daniel Marcello, who was able to attend and cover the inaugural event.
If you're looking for an off-road experience of a lifetime, that will test your mental and physical limits as well as your technical skills and preparation, the Rubicon Trail is a must. Rovicon 2 was limited to 30 rigs with 27 committing to the event. 2020 will be synonymous with random, unexpected events so we had six drivers being forced out at the last minute, hopefully, they’ll make it back next year!
This year we saw a great range of Land Rovers, with several Series models, Defenders, Discovery Is and Discovery IIS. The Rovicon is currently limited to those Rovers with solid axles, participants need a minimum of 33” tyres and lockers plus body protection such as rock sliders. Decent recovery gear with a working winch will also come in handy.
The Rovicon is different from other Land Rover events in that there is no central camping spot as the event follows along the length of the trail. The committee planned several camping locations beginning with the start of the trail just past the Loon Lake staging area. Upon arriving at the camp/ staging area attendees were met by committee members with their welcome kits and had the chance to buy an additional event swag. Benefit Experts, a long time Rovicon sponsor provided event masks for attendees, contrary to presidential belief not only does it help prevent the spread of Covid-19, it also keeps the dust from your lungs on the trail. East Brother Brewing was also on-site providing samples of their beer for members and had hand-delivered kegs for the event, too.
The first day was an early start for the first group, attendees were broken up into five groups that left at staggered times. The first group was small and they were able to get to the camping nice and early to claim the best spot. There were then departures every hour to try and keep down traffic on the trail and allow for groups to move easier. Groups were formed from similar vehicles to make it easier in the event of problem as having folks around that know your rig and may
have parts you’re missing is very important.
The first day saw groups navigating through the Gatekeeper, an obstacle that is designed to keep unqualified drivers and vehicles from getting further in than their talent allows for, as the trail only grows in technicality from that point on.
In fact, we had a Discovery 2 find itself off-camber while reversing at the exit of Gatekeeper, forcing it to take what we like to call a trail nap. In other words, it ended up on its side. Luckily it was a slow flop, so damage didn’t prevent it from finishing the event as it was quickly right sided and fired up.
Following the Gatekeeper, is the iconic Granite Bowl with its amazing views and various challenges to climb out of. From there you pass a variety of ledges and switchbacks crossing Ellis Creek on your way to Walker Hill, a steep climb with a dogleg left at the top.
Then you head to the iconic Soup Bowl, which is the most famous obstacle along the trail, it consists of a series of steep ledges right on top of each other in a staircase format.
This year saw several attendees give it a try, with two making it successfully and three of them failing to get over it. The trail changes so much each year, especially this obstacle that every attempt is uniquely different while wheelbase plays a big part in being successful.
Last year we saw a trail nap on Soup Bowl, this year we too had carnage there but not from a roll-over. Eric in his D2 blew a rear differential, which we were luckily able to replace at camp that night, and Dany lost his air system for the lockers which was also replaced at the same time.
After the Soup Bowl, the next stop is a little sluice and alongside it is Winter Camp, a section of the trail known for amazing camping and gorgeous views. A short walk away from here is Spyder Lake, which provided a much-needed relaxing dip for everyone allowing them to cool down and clean off the dust.
Saturday, we rallied early with groups of five leaving at staggered times again. The day’s run was about four miles and scheduled to take about six hours. This is the most challenging day and ends with crossing the bridge over the Rubicon River into the Rubicon Springs, a private campground where the committee had reserved camping with a fire pit, which is nearly impossible during the summer months. The groups arrived at various times throughout the afternoon and enjoyed the springs, rapids and rope swing.
Saturday night ended with a social at the campfire, East Brother Brewing was on tap and others contributed cigars and aged whiskey for everyone to try. An attendee and the owner of Avio Wines brought various award-winning bottles for tastings. Following the social gathering, there were prizes given out for various accomplishments.
Sunday, the last leg of the trip takes the group heading out through the Tahoe side with the major challenge of the day being Cadillac Hill. It is roughly four miles of challenging trail with over a thousand feet gain in elevation followed by some nine miles of easier trail to get out to the Tahoe side staging area, estimating about five hours, depending on speed and traffic.
The groups saw nearly no traffic while climbing Cadillac and were able to meet in two large groups at the observation point for the ceremonious group photo shots. There were still several miles of decent obstacles with the last major obstacle being the Gatekeeper on the Tahoe side. From there folks rallied at the staging area to use the rest rooms, air up and exchange contact information with newly formed friends before heading out to other adventures.
For most that meant heading home, for some a short drive, for others a much longer one, some stayed for a day or two at Lake Tahoe to relax and explore before heading back. The Rubicon Trail is a must for Land Rover owners who want an off-road adventure with fellow enthusiasts.
"We had a Discovery 2 find itself off-camber, forcing it to take what we like to call a trail nap. In other words it ended up on its side"