Amador County – The U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday that the Mormon Emigrant Trail will be closed due to snow likely until mid-June, and will not be available as an alternate route to Lake Tahoe when Caltrans closes Highway 50 for two weeks or more next week.

El Dorado National Forest Public Information Officer Frank Mosbacher said Wednesday that Mormon Emigrant Trail remained closed due to snow, and it is expected to remain closed until mid-June. Mosbacher said the “popular El Dorado National Forest highway runs between Sly Park and Highway 88” and “is currently covered by 10 feet of snow on its eastern end, near Highway 88.”

He said the “road will not be available as an alternate route to Lake Tahoe when Highway 50 closes for two weeks for repairs beginning May 11.”

Caltrans will detour traffic through Amador County for two weeks, starting next Wednesday, May 11, for roadside repairs on Highway 50 at Echo Summit. The work is estimated to take two weeks, but could take longer, depending on weather.

Caltrans will detour Highway 50 eastward traffic and Highway 99 northward traffic to Lake Tahoe through Amador County, via Highways 16, 49, 88, and 89.

Caltrans District 3 made the decision to temporarily close the route while working to replace a rock wall at Echo Summit in El Dorado County. Jody Jones, District 3 director, said the “closure is part of the first stage of a safety enhancement project that will remove damaged rock walls and replace them with a barrier that meets current safety standards.”

The detour includes one-way traffic control May 9-10, and then for up to six weeks after Highway 50 is reopened. Highway 50 will be open with no restrictions on Memorial Day weekend.

Alternate routes around the closure take travelers through the El Dorado and Amador counties, and motorists should allow one hour extra travel time to reach South Lake Tahoe. Electronic message signs at key positions will direct travelers on the highways.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.