Currently in Georgetown, California, the official home of the Jeepers Jamboree. I live just 34 miles from the Rubicon Trailhead. For me, “airing down” isn’t recreation; it’s a way of life, (see what I did there?) and I’ve spent nearly two decades fighting to keep this iconic trail open for everyone.
I first rode the Rubicon as a wide-eyed passenger in 1979. My Dad, Grandfather, Uncle and Cousin have all been regular Rubicon users since the 1950s, all owning flat fenders. In 1979, my older cousin called and ask if I wanted to go do the Rubicon Trail, with the conditions we were eating hotdogs and beans and don't be lazy. I was in.
In 1982 I bought my first Jeep – a 1947 CJ-2A that I still own and cherish. Today my daily trail rig is a 2017 JKU on one-tons (Dana 60s) and 40s, built by the legends at WFO Concepts in Auburn.
Trail advocacy became my calling in 2005. I ran the original Rubicon Trail Patrol (the precursor to today’s RTF Mid-Trail Staff) after Rich Klein stepped away to launch WeRock. In 2008 I was the final appellant to withdraw my challenge to El Dorado County’s Route Designation process. In 2012, I was the only personal appellent for the Rubicon Trail easement negotiations with the USFS, El Dorado County, Center for Biodiversity and RTF. I became the last one to withdraw my appeal, as a safety net to reprevent RTF being unable to file a lawsuit.
I joined the Rubicon Trail Foundation board in 2011, served as Property Chair when we secured the critical 2015 boundary-line adjustment that preserved public access, and later led the effort that opened the 2.2-mile Granite View Loop (GVL). From July 2021 to November 2024 I had the honor of serving as RTF President during one of the most challenging periods in the trail’s history. Facing winter closures by El Dorado County, we ultimiately convinced the County to revise the ordinance keeping winter wheeling alive on the Rubicon.
When I’m not on the trail or in a county meeting, I run Granite View Media, a boutique social-media and video-production company focused exclusively on the off-road community (yes, the loop road is where I got the name).
If you spot me and my buddy John filming a “History of the Rubicon” segment out on the rocks, flag us down and say hi as we love talking trail with fellow wheelers.
Ken Hower
RTF Director
I first rode the Rubicon as a wide-eyed passenger in 1979. My Dad, Grandfather, Uncle and Cousin have all been regular Rubicon users since the 1950s, all owning flat fenders. In 1979, my older cousin called and ask if I wanted to go do the Rubicon Trail, with the conditions we were eating hotdogs and beans and don't be lazy. I was in.
In 1982 I bought my first Jeep – a 1947 CJ-2A that I still own and cherish. Today my daily trail rig is a 2017 JKU on one-tons (Dana 60s) and 40s, built by the legends at WFO Concepts in Auburn.
Trail advocacy became my calling in 2005. I ran the original Rubicon Trail Patrol (the precursor to today’s RTF Mid-Trail Staff) after Rich Klein stepped away to launch WeRock. In 2008 I was the final appellant to withdraw my challenge to El Dorado County’s Route Designation process. In 2012, I was the only personal appellent for the Rubicon Trail easement negotiations with the USFS, El Dorado County, Center for Biodiversity and RTF. I became the last one to withdraw my appeal, as a safety net to reprevent RTF being unable to file a lawsuit.
I joined the Rubicon Trail Foundation board in 2011, served as Property Chair when we secured the critical 2015 boundary-line adjustment that preserved public access, and later led the effort that opened the 2.2-mile Granite View Loop (GVL). From July 2021 to November 2024 I had the honor of serving as RTF President during one of the most challenging periods in the trail’s history. Facing winter closures by El Dorado County, we ultimiately convinced the County to revise the ordinance keeping winter wheeling alive on the Rubicon.
When I’m not on the trail or in a county meeting, I run Granite View Media, a boutique social-media and video-production company focused exclusively on the off-road community (yes, the loop road is where I got the name).
If you spot me and my buddy John filming a “History of the Rubicon” segment out on the rocks, flag us down and say hi as we love talking trail with fellow wheelers.
Ken Hower
RTF Director
