When I started going 20+ years ago it was an actual structure. I don't think I have any pictures from back then...certainly none digital! I suspect most of the damage was vandalism.

 

When I used to ride down there, you could go anywhere inside the boundaries. When we were camping down there a couple of years ago, we stopped to see if was still open. It looked like they had snow fence up to keep you on the main trails only and everthing along the lake was closed including the creek. I would be curious to know if you can still climb any of the steep rock hills. It was fun to watch the buggies try to make it up them. Did they ever get water and electric to the campground, or showers?

 

The creek is out of bounds on the S. Some trails are closed due to erosion, but I can't explain what you saw. All the trails we saw near the lake were open last fall. We didn't stumble upon buggies doing climbs like that last time, but I've certainly seen it dirtbiking in the last couple of years.

There is drinking and non-potable water up near the gate. And a compressor (ask the gate attendant for the hose). No power, no showers. Chemical toilets only. We bring a 40-gal tank and a home-engineered hot shower setup.

 

Would love to go but busy that weekend....do you guys go very often?

 

Traditionally, just twice a year. The Fall trip is supposed to be October 6-9.

 

there is a trail about three miles south of there called blockhouse road that is tough as shit. i mean like 6 going up to an 8-9. been stuck there in a tj more than once. got streams, big rocks and roots. last time down someone told me it was closed. i asked if there was a gate. they said no, i said it isnt closed. no one is getting back there without a jeep. or a helicopter.

 

I've been S on the Trace a bunch of times and never noticed it.

 

Was actually considering this as a possibility for next weekend, but I just checked the weather and it's not looking good if they close the trails for rain:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USKY0936

 

its pretty grown over. stop by the main center at golden pond and see if you cant get an older map of the lbl. it should be on it.

 

We'll be keeping an eye on the weather and the LBL Call Before You Haul website. We'll probably even call before we head that way Thursday morning.

The forecast for the weekend doesn't look all that bad, certainly no worse than we endured last April. They are getting slammed today, too, though.