Lots of info, so big post.
On this website, there is this map (below), and they say that Georgetown is the ceremonial trail head, but the Rubicon trail really starts at Loon Lake (where the pavement ends), so why go all the way to Georgetown? I found the shortest way to Loon Lake is through South Lake Tahoe. See new map link below, and zoom in on Loon Lake.
http://www.californiajeeper.com/rubicon/review.htm#trailHere is a good document with a detailed map up to Loon Lake that leads us in and tells of the places we can stop for any last minute supplies before entering the trail head.
http://www.deercrossingcamp.com/acrodocs/loon_lake_map3.pdfThese Toy guys have a nice brief summary of the trails journey with pics.
http://www.norcalttora.com/trails/rubicon.phpThis Google map takes us to the trail head at Loon Lake, and B to C is the Rubicon Trail, although I can't make the map show it, and erase the back track. The trail comes out near Homewood so that's where we can pick up the map again.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Smyrna,+GA&daddr=Unknown+road+to:Homewood,+CA+to:Moab,+UT+to:Smyrna,+GA&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRskUwIdyi7U-A%3B%3B%3B&mra=ls&dirflg=t&sll=38.788881,-120.356255&sspn=0.119085,0.2211&ie=UTF8&ll=38.916682,-120.130005&spn=1.901848,3.537598&z=8 Location: The Rubicon Trail starts just past Loon Lake in the Sierra Nevada foothills and ends in South Lake Tahoe. On Highway 50 from Sacramento turn left on Ice House Rd. Follow the signs for Loon Lake, then go past the camping area. Go across the dam and down onto the granite slab. That's where the adventure begins. If you are going for the first time, go with someone who knows the trail. The beginning of the trail and several places in between are not marked.
Description: The Rubicon Trail is the "granddaddy of trails." Most of 18 miles of trail consists of large boulders and rocky terrain. The other parts of the trail go across huge granite slabs which have steep inclines and sharp drop offs. This trail is not for the faint at heart! It does offer some spectacular scenery if you wait long enough for the dust to settle. You can camp along the way at Spider Lake, Buck Island Lake or about 12 miles in there is the Rubicon Springs Campground. This will take a beginner about 6 to 7 hours, or a seasoned wheeler about 4-5 hours if you drive straight through to the campgrounds at Rubicon Springs. The last leg of the journey is about 6 miles (1-2 hours) to paved road.
Recommended equipment: Almost any type of 4x4 vehicle has made it through, but some are easier than others. Stock Jeeps will do the job, but expect body damage. Vehicles with a long wheel base will have a little trouble with some sharp turns. Skid plates, rocker guards, and tow hooks and straps are a must. It is highly recommended that someone in your group have a winch. The less the vehicle is equipped the more work and damage you can expect.
Exciting stuff.