In the meantime, Mike is working on an alternative to keep an exciting adventure on the calendar for the last weekend of September: a run somewhere up Highway 49 north of I-80, exploring backcountry trails and possibly sections of the California BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route).
Mike is actively scouting the area now. We'll share full route details, waypoints, and campsite specifics soon—stay tuned!
📢 Signups Are Open!
The signup is officially open on the webpage—RSVP below to hold your spot, and full route details will follow as scouting wraps up.
📍 Information
- Trip Status: Scouting / Planning
- Team Lead: Mike Norton
- General Area: Highway 49 corridor north of I-80 (Tahoe & Plumas National Forests, CA)
- Terrain: Forest service roads, mountain ridges, and California BDR connector trails
Dates
September 25 – September 27, 2026
Meet-up Location
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: McDonald's at Santa Rita and Highway 580 E. (Standard Deployment Point)
37°42'02.9"N 121°52'10.7"W
37.700795, -121.869642
Camp Location
Location: Highway 49 Corridor / Tahoe & Plumas National Forests, CA
Details: Target campsite locations are currently being scouted and will be finalized prior to departure. Expect dispersed or primitive developed forest camps in the high country along the Gold Lake / Sierra Buttes / Yuba River corridor.
Fire Restrictions & Permits
Current as of September 2, 2026
Fire Restrictions: The route traverses northern Sierra Nevada public lands across Tahoe and Plumas National Forests. Wood and charcoal fires are generally restricted to designated metal fire rings within designated developed recreation sites under seasonal USFS fire restrictions. Dispersed wood campfires are prohibited during periods of high fire danger. Always verify active Forest Service orders before lighting any flame.
Permits & Stoves: Portable pressurized gas, propane, or isobutane stoves equipped with an on/off shut-off valve are permitted. A valid California Campfire Permit is mandatory for operating any portable stove or lantern on California public lands.
Weather
Preparing for the trip, check the weather for the Highway 49 high country corridor (Downieville / Sierra City area):
Current Weather
Expected Trip Weather
Get Ready Before We Go
🛑 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Rear Amber Chase Light and HAM Radio communications are REQUIRED to travel with the group.
Why Amber Chase Lights?
Dusty mountain trails are common – amber lights penetrate dust far better than white or red, helping prevent rear-end collisions in low visibility. Learn more about Why Chase Lights?
HAM Radio
Program to 146.460 MHz (simplex). Handhelds work great even without a license for listening.
If you don't have a ham radio yet, check out our guide to get started.
Other Essentials
- Offline navigation (download GPX – limited/no cell service in mountain canyons)
- Off-road tires, full-size spare, recovery gear
- Plenty of water, food, warm layers for cool Sierra evenings, emergency kit
Group Trip Agreement & Waiver
Before signing up, please review the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Risk and Group Trip Agreement. By RSVP'ing and participating in this trip, you certify that you have read, understood, and voluntarily agreed to these terms.