Tahoe Truckee Region Parks & Recreation Digest

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun the annual process of closing recreational facilities for the winter season. Campgrounds, picnic areas, and beach facilities will close at the end of the day on Oct. 17.

After a century of private ownership, Johnson Meadow is now public land. The Tahoe Resource Conservation District will host a webinar about the restoration project and would like to hear from South Lake Tahoe residents in particular.

Over the past year, various “keep out” signs have appeared near the Hirschdale Bridge, causing concerns for Truckee River users. Those concerns led to a meeting last week attended by Nevada County Community Development Director Trisha Tillotson.

The Caldor Fire spared many homes and buildings in the Tahoe basin, but several recreation areas were hit hard. Groups such as the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association and Tahoe Rim Trail Association are getting ready to repair damaged trails.

Though much of the U.S. Forest Service lands have reopened, the Eldorado National Forest emergency closure will continue due to ongoing hazards associated with the Caldor Fire.

The Caldor Fire pushed deeper into the Lake Tahoe basin Tuesday, as firefighters worked to protect structures and control the mega-fire. New evacuation order were issued for Alpine County and Nevada’s Douglas County.

With fires roaring across California, the USDA Forest Service is closing all 20 million acres of the state’s national forests to public access for two weeks. The Forest Service said the closure will extend through at least Sept. 17.

After completing the California State Route 89 Corridor Management Plan, officials identified the creation of a multi-use trail along the lake’s southwest shoreline as a high priority need. The planning process has now begun, kicking off with an informational webinar at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

Nevada State Parks has closed its land at Lake Tahoe due to the hazardous air quality from the Caldor Fire. The reopening date is Aug. 27, depending on conditions.

Local and Bureau of Land Management officials have announced an emergency closure of public lands in Alpine County during fire rehabilitation operations after the Tamarack Fire. This closure will expire Nov. 30 unless rescinded.

Those who walk on local trails enjoy the fruits of labor from many who walked before. Despite setbacks and delays, new and updated projects are moving forward that will link Tahoe/Truckee to hundreds of miles of trails in every direction.

Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais has issued an emergency forest closure of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Eldorado National Forest. The forest-wide closure will be in effect through Sept. 30.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is requesting that anglers voluntarily avoid fishing during the hotter hours of the day because of drought conditions that have increased fish mortality and disease.

In the male-dominated world of fly fishing, trekking out to the river can be intimidating for some women. This is why local fly fisher Amy McCormick and Alpine Fly Fishing have added classes specifically aimed at women.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is inviting artists to submit work for possible inclusion at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, returning as an in-person event Jan. 13-17, 2022. Festival director Jess Swigonski said, “I look forward to seeing what creations our vibrant community of artists have in store for our 2022 Art Exhibition.”

In the face of record-breaking drought conditions, the Eldorado National Forest has increased its fire restrictions to a forestwide campfire ban. The restrictions apply to all campgrounds, developed sites and special use permits.

After more than three years of diligent work, the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, has completed the Stanford Rock Trail on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The project increases trail access for mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park officials have closed Spooner Lake during construction of a new visitor center and amphitheater. The main entrance, parking areas and frontcountry will be inaccessible until early September.

As the threat of wildfire looms large, regional fire agencies have put in place “campfire bans” in recent years. Moonshine Ink looks at the issue in Tahoe, where overlapping jurisdictions and their respective rules can lead to confusion.

A pandemic-driven surge in fly-fishing has created an opportunity in the Tahoe area, but more fishermen put more pressure on local waters.

Once built, the 2.3-mile multi-use Tunnel Creek Singletrack will provide users with an alternative when descending from the Marlette Flume Trail, the Incline Flume Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, the Tahoe Fund and the eight agencies that manage Lake Tahoe’s public beaches have updated TahoePublicBeaches.org.

Homewood Resort’s Marina fires up Lake Tahoe’s first on-the-water electric boat charging station, offering rides to guests beginning June 1.

The turf field at North Tahoe Regional Park, well-used since 2007, will receive a $2.1 million makeover beginning next month.

Six projects in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be funded, including Mount Rose and Tahoe Meadows area improvements.

For a donation of $500, the Sierra State Parks Foundation will match donors with an artist who will paint a bear box in the style of their choosing.

Lake Tahoe visitor authorities are working on a new “Traveler Responsibility Pledge” that encourages visitors to protect vulnerable ecosystems and residential communities.

The $360,000 paving projects will be a joint effort between the county and USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

National forests in the region—including Stanislaus, Plumas, Eldorado, Lassen and Tahoe—have been hard at work on over-the-snow vehicle management policies. Final plans will be revealed in the coming months.

The project, which squeaked by on a 3-2 vote, will double the trail network from 30 to 60 miles and add vehicle, ADA and equestrian parking.

Don Lane has spent the last five decades protecting Forest Service land in the Tahoe Basin. “Instead of waking up and dealing with the chaos of humanity ... all you could hear was the birds chirping or maybe a hoot from an owl or a coyote,” Lane says.