About Rubithon
Prepare for the Rubicon Trail
The Rubicon Trail is known for its challenging terrain, technical obstacles and demanding driving conditions. Proper vehicle preparation and choosing the right run for your experience level are essential to a successful Rubithon adventure.
Minimum Vehicle Requirements
All participating vehicles must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Lift: 3-inch minimum
- Tires: 35-inch minimum
- Lockers: Rear required; front optional
- Communication: HAM radio recommended; CB radio minimum
- Wagon Run: Additional requirements apply. Review the Vehicle Requirements for details.
Choosing Your Run
Rubithon offers several organized runs to accommodate different schedules and experience levels. When selecting your run, consider your preferred departure day and location, whether you want to join the group for breakfast before departure, and how much time you want to spend on the trail.
You can travel directly to Rubicon Springs in one day or choose a two-day run that includes an overnight camp at Buck Island. First-time Rubicon drivers and those newer to off-roading are encouraged to select a two-day run for a more relaxed experience.
If you are driving a wagon, we strongly recommend the Wednesday Wagon Run.
Run Dates and Details
All organized runs follow the same Rubicon Trail route to Rubicon Springs. The differences are the departure day, starting location and whether the run includes an overnight stop at Buck Island.
To ensure a manageable group size on the trail, each organized run is limited to a set number of vehicles.
Below are runs from the 2026 event. 2027 runs coming soon!
Open Registration Runs
Wednesday Wagon Run
Departure Date: Wednesday, June 24
Departure Time: 7:30 am
Departure Location: Loon Lake Spillway
Camp: Buck Island
Trail Lead: Nick Orsillo
Wednesday Cruiser Run
Departure Date: Wednesday, June 24
Departure Time: 9:30 am
Departure Location: Loon Lake Spillway
Camp: Buck Island
Trail Lead: Ethan Miller
Wednesday Cruiser Run 2
Departure Date: Wednesday, June 24
Departure Time: 11:00 am
Departure Location: Loon Lake Spillway
Camp: Buck Island
Trail Lead: Scott White
Wednesday Tahoma Run
Departure Date: Wednesday, June 24
Departure Time: 9:30 am
Departure Location: Tahmoa Staging Area
Trail Lead: Jeff Greenwood
Thursday 4Runner Run
Departure Date: Thursday, June 25
Departure Time: 7:30 am
Departure Location: Loon Lake Spillway
Straight through to Rubicon Springs
Trail Lead: Scott Wilson
Thursday Mini Truck Run
Departure Date: Thursday, June 25
Departure Time: 9:30 am
Departure Location: Loon Lake Spillway
Straight through to Rubicon Springs
Trail Lead: TBD
Huft’s Breakfast Run
Departure Date: Thursday, June 25
Departure Time: 8:30 am
Departure Location: Icehouse Resort
Camp: Buck Island
Trail Lead: Doug Huft
Restricted Registration Runs
*Restricted runs are by qualification/invite only.
Departing Wednesday, June 24
Mudrak’s Double Locker Run
Departure Date: Wednesday, June 24
Departure Time: 2 pm
Departure Location: Ellis Creek
Camp: Buck Island
Must contact: Gary@mudrack.com for invite permission
Departing Friday, June 26
Sweeper Run
Departure Date: Friday, June 26
Departure Time: TBD
Departure Location: Loon Lake Spillway
Straight through to Rubicon Springs
Run Arrival/Check In Details
Arrive a minimum of 1 hour before departure time. Each organized run will meet at the trailhead listed for a pre-run safety check, proof of insurance and registration check-in. You will then be led in by a Trail Lead, an experienced wheeler that will help you navigate your way through the trail and help with any issues. In addition, you will have committee members on your run that will help with any problems you may encounter along the way.
Rubicon Springs
Once in the Springs, please check in after you get your camp set up. There you will be given your meal tickets, your Grand Prize raffle ticket and a schedule of events for Friday and Saturday. While in the Springs, feel free to explore the area, check out the stone cabin, hike, fish or swim in the beautiful Rubicon River, compete in the horseshoe tournament or the RC Rock Crawler competition, attend an educational class, or just be lazy and enjoy the beauty of the Sierras.
The Rubicon Trail is located in the high Sierra’s and accordingly, the weather can be very unpredictable. Bring swimsuits, rain gear and even a coat that will work in the snow (not kidding!) Also, bring gloves, eye protection and plenty of sunscreen and mosquito spray! There are bears in the area, so be bear smart — don’t leave food lying around in camp and definitely keep it out of your tents!
Activities
- Live Band / Entertainment
- Vendors And Education Classes
- Rc Car competition
- Bar and grill
- Horse shoe Tournament
- Kids Gold Panning expedition
- Guided Rubicon springs History tours
- Kids Movie Night
Leaving Rubicon Springs
On Sunday, the Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s will be on Cadillac Hill from 7 am to noon to help everyone exit expediently. Please stay in your vehicle and we will stack rocks or set up any winching that may need to be done. If you choose to exit later in the day, or to exit back via Loon, you may do so, but you will not have the Rubithon Committee there to help and will be on your own.
Trash
The Rubicon Trail requires a “pack it in – pack it out” policy. You will only be able to burn paper trash from the dinners. It is imperative that you take any trash, including cans and bottles, back to your campsite to take with you when you leave the trail. Please do not throw any of these or like items into the fire as it is improper and just plain rude to our committee guys that have to clean up your trash. Remember that we are camping on private property and if we are not good trail users, we could lose the privilege of holding our event here!
Safety
One thing you can do to enhance a great Rubicon experience is to ensure your vehicle is safe, well maintained and make certain any known issues are corrected BEFORE you arrive at the trailhead. The potential for body damage and breakage is high and there are no parts stores within a reasonable distance of the trail. With that in mind, your trail spares should travel with you.
The Rubicon Trail falls under county and federal jurisdictions, and as such, is likely to be patrolled by law enforcement. Drinking and driving will not be tolerated, and violators may be cited and/or arrested. In short, save the drinking for camp and don’t drink and drive!
Important Deadlines
May 18: Registration closes May 18.