Description: On the trail up to Winnemucca Lake in Eldorado National Forest, California, USA

Image by Sebastian Werner – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia

Description: MEADOWS ARE NOT FOR MUD BOGGING Meadows on the Eldorado National Forest are an important part of a healthy ecosystem. They filter sediment from surrounding slopes and provide clean water for terrestrial wildlife and healthy habitat for aquatic animals. Meadows also provide an important breeding ground for invertebrates that are a key food source for birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Please help us to protect these special areas by driving only on authorized roads and trails. Remember to visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado/ or contact your local Ranger District for a current copy of the Motor Vehicle Use Map which displays hundreds of miles of roads open to motor vehicles.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: Desolation Wilderness Conditions Report: Wilderness Ranger, Kristine Koran, July 1 to 4, 2017. provided these great visuals on the snowy conditions that are still persistent in Desolation. Entering Desolation from the Echo Lakes trailhead, solid snow cover begins at Haypress Meadow (8,200 ft.). Trails to Lake of the Woods, Lake Aloha, and beyond are mostly obscured by snow. Drifts can be up to 15 feet deep. Visitors to the area will need to have a map and compass and good navigation skills. Trekking poles, sturdy waterproof boots, and additional traction, such as crampons/cleats strongly advised. Also, good sunglasses and sunscreen. Melting snow/ice may form a shelf that looks solid but can easily collapse under a hikers weight. Streams that are passable in the morning may not be in the afternoon as snow melts.

Image by Kristine Koran, U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: ECHO SUMMIT RESORT AREA PROSPECTUS IS AVAILABLE The Eldorado National Forest has released a prospectus for operation of the Echo Summit Resort Area. This prospectus is intended to solicit proposals from parties interested in providing year-round commercial recreation opportunities at Echo Summit. The forest is looking for proposals for multi-season use, including summer and winter recreation opportunities. Proposals received by the close of business on July 20, 2017, will be subject to a competitive review. The selected proposal will be issued a special use permit for operation of the resort area. The Echo Summit Resort Area covers 40 acres within the Placerville Ranger District and includes an 11,200 sq. ft. lodge, a 1,140 sq. ft. shop and a 58,000 sq. ft. parking lot. Highway 50, a National Scenic Highway, is adjacent to the resort area and provides year-round access. The Pacific Crest Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail run adjacent to the resort area and provide access to miles of hiking and equestrian trails. For those interested in submitting a proposal, full details are available in the prospectus and appendices on our website

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: ELLIS ROAD in the Amador Ranger District is one of the forest's top 3 priorities for storm damage repair. This road is the primary access route to the north end of the Mokelumne River Canyon. The main storm damage on Ellis road was the displacement of a low water crossing structure that had been installed after a previous storm event several years ago. The ground beneath this structure liquified with saturation from this year's heavy rainfall. An impermeable volcanic rock formation is thought to have contributed to the massive runoff at this location. (You can see this rock exposed above the site in one of the photos below.) Rip rap and gravel have been been installed as an emergency repair to ensure access for firefighters, engineers, and other administrative purposes but would not be able to withstand the amount of public use this road receives. Ellis Road is being evaluated for emergency funding by the Federal Highway Administration and will remain closed until a permanent repair is completed.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: ELLIS ROAD in the Amador Ranger District is one of the forest's top 3 priorities for storm damage repair. This road is the primary access route to the north end of the Mokelumne River Canyon. The main storm damage on Ellis road was the displacement of a low water crossing structure that had been installed after a previous storm event several years ago. The ground beneath this structure liquified with saturation from this year's heavy rainfall. An impermeable volcanic rock formation is thought to have contributed to the massive runoff at this location. (You can see this rock exposed above the site in one of the photos below.) Rip rap and gravel have been been installed as an emergency repair to ensure access for firefighters, engineers, and other administrative purposes but would not be able to withstand the amount of public use this road receives. Ellis Road is being evaluated for emergency funding by the Federal Highway Administration and will remain closed until a permanent repair is completed.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: ELLIS ROAD in the Amador Ranger District is one of the forest's top 3 priorities for storm damage repair. This road is the primary access route to the north end of the Mokelumne River Canyon. The main storm damage on Ellis road was the displacement of a low water crossing structure that had been installed after a previous storm event several years ago. The ground beneath this structure liquified with saturation from this year's heavy rainfall. An impermeable volcanic rock formation is thought to have contributed to the massive runoff at this location. (You can see this rock exposed above the site in one of the photos below.) Rip rap and gravel have been been installed as an emergency repair to ensure access for firefighters, engineers, and other administrative purposes but would not be able to withstand the amount of public use this road receives. Ellis Road is being evaluated for emergency funding by the Federal Highway Administration and will remain closed until a permanent repair is completed.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: ELLIS ROAD in the Amador Ranger District is one of the forest's top 3 priorities for storm damage repair. This road is the primary access route to the north end of the Mokelumne River Canyon. The main storm damage on Ellis road was the displacement of a low water crossing structure that had been installed after a previous storm event several years ago. The ground beneath this structure liquified with saturation from this year's heavy rainfall. An impermeable volcanic rock formation is thought to have contributed to the massive runoff at this location. (You can see this rock exposed above the site in one of the photos below.) Rip rap and gravel have been been installed as an emergency repair to ensure access for firefighters, engineers, and other administrative purposes but would not be able to withstand the amount of public use this road receives. Ellis Road is being evaluated for emergency funding by the Federal Highway Administration and will remain closed until a permanent repair is completed.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: MORMON EMIGRANT TRAIL STILL CLOSED! There is still 5 miles of snow on the east end approximately 4 – 5 feet deep. This route has been cleared from the Sly Park end up to 1 mile before the Silver Fork Road intersection. Work has been impeded by numerous slides, downed trees, and snow. The estimate for opening is mid-June at the earliest, more likely late June. Visitors should adjust their travel plans accordingly.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: CAUTION - HAZARDOUS WATER FLOWS All rivers and streams are running high, swift, and cold due to melting snow resulting in suddenly hazardous conditions. Many of the lakes are close to spilling and have increased their releases to make room for the incoming water from a 200% of normal snow pack. River and stream levels fluctuate rapidly so do not cross them as you may not be able to return. Swimming is not advised as the cold water can result in hypothermia very quickly. [Photos] Ice House Reservoir. Releases through the Ice House Dam valve have been increased resulting in higher flows along the South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Dam. Please use caution when in the vicinity of rivers and streams.

Image by U.S. Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia