sawmill pond

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Trash has been the topic of conversation around Lake Tahoe this summer with the influx of visitors during the pandemic and much more trash found left behind. In a few stories this week we will be looking at efforts and education to keep things clean.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A temporary closure order for USFS beaches and recreation sites around Lake Tahoe has been extended through at least May 15, 2020. The original order was set to expire May 1. To keep in alignment with current federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers, it was extended.

Trailheads and trails outside of the orange areas of the attached maps, or the ones on the closure website, are not affected by this order but parking lots are closed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many head to the Sierra to experience snow in all forms, from the ski slopes to sledding and building snowmen. With the fun and excitement awaiting, many seem to have forgotten the laws of being safe on the roadway and parking on the highways, and not observing "no parking" zone rules,

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) revised their Forest Plan over 10 years ago, many wanted them to include changes to snowmobile and other winter travel access to public lands at the same time. With the amount of public comment and the recognized need to have its own plan, they separated the two.

In 2011, LTBMU started a collaborative group to develop a proposed action plan for Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) use in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has released the "Proposed Action for the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project," and in that document are changes to snowmobile access in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

They have proposed to open OSV use (snowmobiles) to areas around the lake that have been restricted in the past and close up other areas. The plan still leaves about 50 percent of the lands managed by LTBMU open to OSV use.

The new areas proposed for OSV use

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The snow is melting and temperatures are rising, signaling the change of seasons in Lake Tahoe, and the opening of campgrounds, beaches and other recreational areas.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will soon begin the process of opening their facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin, weather and snow conditions permitting,

The first two beaches to open will be Baldwin and Nevada with an opening date planned for this Saturday, April 27, 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you don't have to be on the roads around Lake Tahoe today, don't go.

As the beginning of fairly strong weather system has just hit the Sierra, there are not only chain controls but also a series of collisions and spinouts. The storm shouldn't have surprised anyone as warnings have been in place all week.

As of 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019, chain controls are up on all mountain roads around Lake Tahoe on the California side, expected to be going up soon on the Nevada side.

A cub hit and killed by a car on Keller Road Monday night makes three bears who have died in the same manner in just 10 days on the South Shore. In the last three weeks, there have been a total of five hit by cars between Tahoma, South Lake Tahoe and Meyers according to Toogee Sielsch, South Lake Tahoe bear advocate.

In Monday's incident, a vehicle hit one of the three cubs born to Hazel, a neighborhood bear that residents have named and watched over. The speed limit in the area is 25 mph.

The South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club is holding their annual Fishing Derby at Sawmill Pond on June 2 from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

This event is free for all children 14-years-old and younger.

Fishing tackle and bait are available for free, or participants can bring their own. Tahoe Fly Fishing will be on hand with their expert guidance on how to catch the best fish.

There will also be a fishing cleaning table available as well as help in all fishing activities.

Hot dogs, lemonade and chips will be provided.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will soon begin the process of opening recreational facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Weather and snow conditions permitting, Inspiration Point will be the first site to open on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Baldwin and Nevada beaches open April 28. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center opens Friday, May 25. The Tallac Historic Site parking area opens Tuesday, May 15, and will be staffed beginning Saturday, May 26.

The following is a list of opening/service dates, weather and snow conditions permitting:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've ever been inside Brother's Bar & Grill at the "Y" you most likely noticed all of the money taped to the walls and ceiling, anything with an open space had cash on it.

One day, local business owner was at Brother's having breakfast when he noticed all of the money was gone. He found out from owner Spencer Weiss that he had taken it all down and was now inside threes large garbage bag.

"It consumed the whole place," Weiss said of the cash over every inch of space. "It diminished the feel."

What does one do with bags full of cash?

Learn about four wheel driving around the Lake Tahoe Basin during the Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s 4WD Club meet and greet membership drive on Saturday, June 3 in the TJMax parking lot at the Y in South Lake Tahoe from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The non-profit club has been in Lake Tahoe for 50 years. They promote family recreation, social activities, enjoyment and protection of natural resources. The club has been a member for 50 years of California Four Wheel Association which is a state wide organization of California four wheel drive clubs and Gary Lefler is the local club's current president

Snow is preventing some Lake Tahoe West Shore campgrounds from opening, but others are ready to go beginning May 12, 2017.

The West Shore campgrounds still have a large amount of snow at lake level which is causing the delay in their opening. Meeks Bay Campground will open on May 19, and Kaspian and William Kent campgrounds will open on June 2.

Fallen Leaf Campground will open May 12, but some sites will be closed due to wet conditions.

Here is a list of USFS facilities and projected open and close dates:

64 Acres Beach - Year-round, weather permitting (walking access)

Lake Tahoe must improve its internal transportation systems before they can expect visitors to the region to get out of their cars and use different, and better, ways of getting around. That was the message during last week's Tahoe Talks presentation by Lake Tahoe transportation partners, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and El Dorado County.

3:40 p.m. update: It is taking three hours from the Y to Meyers, so if you're on the road you may want to consider going inside for the rest of the day. The snow is not letting up and there is a lot more to come.

Traffic heading west from South Lake Tahoe is still slow going, and there have been several weather and traffic relate incidents on US50 west of Lake Tahoe. At this time, emergency vehicles are at the scene of a three-car accident near Kyburz. The road has reopened but may need to close again to remove one of the cars.

11:45 a.m. update: A large boulder has rolled onto Highway 50 near Bridal Veil Falls in the eastbound lane. Be prepared for diverted traffic.

* * *
There are several flooded areas in the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers areas, resulting in some road closures.

As of 9:00 a.m. Thursday, the following roads are experiencing flooding:

Tahoe Keys - State Streets and Tahoe Keys Blvd
Bijou Area - Bill Avenue, Shirley Avenue, Betty Rae Ct, Vanda Lee, Woodbine Avenue
Portions of Glenwood Way
Portions of Pioneer Trail
Portions of lake Tahoe Blvd between the Y and High School

Echo Summit was closed this morning so crews could work on avalanche control, creating a backup not only on Highway 50 in Meyers, but on side roads leading to the summit. Heavy snow stranded several motorists on North Upper Truckee near Mt. Rainer. Lake Tahoe Blvd was closed at Sawmill Pond while the highway was closed to prevent more drivers from driving towards North Upper Truckee.

Traffic heading west from South Lake Tahoe is once again creating a long line of vehicles from the area near Ernie's and Tahoe Cottage Inn on Highway 50 over to Echo Summit.

With the road closure on Lake Tahoe Blvd., traffic heading to South Upper Truckee Road is being diverted onto Sawmill Pond Road, adding to a jam at the intersection with Highway 50.

There is also traffic heading west on Pioneer Trail.

Caltrans crews were on Highway 50 over Echo Summit all night, keeping an eye on areas known for mud slides.

2016 is the 26th year that the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has handed out its "Best in the Basin" award for projects in the Lake Tahoe basin that demonstrate exceptional planning and implementation and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

During Wednesday's TRPA board meeting in Kings Beach, the nine winners for the year were honored.

The City of South Lake Tahoe was one of those recipients for the Bijou Bike Park project, a collaborative effort between the City and Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association.

Food, drink and music are the theme at the inaugural BBQ, Beer and Beats Festival in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe has replaced their annual car raffle with a new way to support local projects, organizations and student scholarships at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Enjoy BBQ, samples of beer, music featuring RedNeck Quartet, and tunes played by members of South Tahoe's Ukelele Club.

Tickets $45 advance purchase ($50 at door), $10 youth (ages 6-20), 5 and under free.

The opening dates for recreational facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin have been announced, with the first ones set to e ready April 30, 2016.

Kiva Picnic area, Baldwin and Nevada beaches, Big Meadow trailhead, the McKinney Rubicon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area and Sawmill Pond, Eagle Falls, Chimney Beach and Secret Harbor parking areas will open April 30, 2016.

The Tallac Historic Site opens April 30, 2016, and will be staffed beginning Saturday, May 21, 2016 for Memorial Day weekend.

The Sandpit OHV area opens May 10, 2016.

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, members of the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe gathered at Sawmill Pond to paint restrooms and signs, and to clean up. This has been an annual event for Rotarians headed up by Past President and Rotary Project Manager David Huber with the support of the USFS. Sawmill Pond is an excellent place for young ones to learn to fish. It is for children fifteen years and under. Parents are welcome to help, but not allowed to fish. Sawmill Pond gives children access to fishing in a beautiful stocked pond which hosts an annual children-only fishing derby.

An attempt to set the record for the World's Largest Simultaneous Group Workout happened at noon on Saturday, January 3 at cities around the globe, and South Lake Tahoe was not left out.

For the 18 people who showed up, it wasn't all about breaking a record, it was about starting off the new year right with an hour of exercise. They walked along the new bike trail from Sawmill Pond to South Tahoe High School and back.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations near Sugar Pine Point State Park, Sawmill Pond, Pioneer Trail and Washoan Boulevard, Ski Run Boulevard near Heavenly, Van Sickle Bi-State Park, Luther Pass, Spooner Summit, and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Slaughterhouse Canyon. Operations will last through the next several weeks as conditions allow.