Old Sluice

5/5 (13 reviews)
Old Sluice is a short, but near-extreme and almost forgotten section of the Rubicon Trail in the Eldorado National Forest outside of Pollock Pines, California. Where the more common Rubicon route travels across the lower granite slabs known as Indian Trail, this higher and more challenging route wil...Read More
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Highlights of Old Sluice

Altitude Category IconAltitude
Camping Category IconCamping
Forest Category IconForest
Iconic Category IconIconic
Rock Category IconRock
Scenic Category IconScenic
Snow Wheeling Category IconSnow Wheeling
Water Category IconWater
Highest Elevation
6736 ft
Shape of Trail
Straight Through
Typically Open
Year Round
Best Direction
North
Official Trail Name
Old Sluice / Rubicon Trail
Nearest Town
Pollock Pines
Nearest Services
Pollock Pines
Management Agency
Eldorado National Forest
District
Pacific Ranger District

Overview

Old Sluice is a short, but near-extreme and almost forgotten section of the Rubicon Trail in the Eldorado National Forest outside of Pollock Pines, California. Where the more common Rubicon route travels across the lower granite slabs known as Indian Trail, this higher and more challenging route will seriously test your rig. Old Sluice is arguably the most difficult section of the Rubicon Trail. This is the reason most bypass it. With one obstacle after another, after another, after another, plus some serious views of Buck Island Lake and Miller Creek on the mountainside above Rubicon Springs, Old Sluice will keep an experienced wheeler entertained four a couple hours or more. If you're running the Rubicon for the first time and pushing just to get through it, Old Sluice is probably not for you... This trail is tough. If you feel you should bypass it, there is no shame in that, but if you're up for the challenge and your rig is built for it, you'll love wheeling Old Sluice.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
13 Waypoints
41 Trail Photos
7 Trail Concerns
13 Community Reviews
1 Video
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