FOTR is a volunteer organization that conducts maintenance on the world-famous Rubicon Trail.
On August 18, 2001, Del Albright assembled 200 plus volunteers to spread 180 tons, yes tons, of crushed rock over 28 rolling dips that Placer County had created at each of the seasonal water crossings on the Rubicon Trail within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
This project ensured that any vehicle traveling on the Rubicon Trail, within the basin, that crossed a creek was on rock and not dirt. This eliminated erosion. Which eliminated sedimentation. Which keeps Tahoe blue.
This all came about when the Lahontan Water Authority placed a “Cease & Desist” with Placer County regarding the Rubicon Trail. It cited erosion, sedimentation that could ultimately reach Lake Tahoe. Again, this was a ‘Cease & Desist’ not a ‘Clean-up & Abatement’. That means it shuts down now and in the history of Lahontan Water Authority (up until this one), no C&D had ever been recinded.
Enter Del Albright. On a cocktail napkin, in a bar in the foothills of the Sierras, Del came up with Friends of the Rubicon. Never before had different 4-wheel drive clubs work together. We had historically done our trail maintenance on our own. Del brough 20+ clubs together from all over northern California and Nevada.
Lahontan rescinded their C&D after the work done by FOTR. To my knowledge, this is the ONLY C&D that was ever rescinded by the Lahontan Water Authority.
FOTR has gone on to do, and continues to do, 100’s of maintenance projects along the entire length of the Rubicon Trail.
