No snow: USFS sites busier than usual
Publisher’s note: This is one of a series of blurbs about how the lack of winter is impacting the Lake Tahoe Basin. If you have an idea, please email it to info@LakeTahoeNews.net.
U.S. Forest Service officials are noticing more people using their facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin now compared to most winters. It all has to do with the lack of snow.
People have been asking Jean Norman at the front desk in South Lake Tahoe about hiking. That’s an unusual request for January. Most areas at lake level are clear, though icy spots exist because of the freezing temps overnight.
Bob Becker’s staff has been monitoring litter at popular areas like the Tallac Site and Taylor Creek Visitors Center.
“Once it’s closed and there are several feet of snow, they don’t go out there because the use is not that much,” Lisa Herron with the USFS told Lake Tahoe News. That’s in a normal year.
“People should get out and enjoy it while they can. For those who don’t ski or snowshoe it’s a good opportunity to do some hiking and not worry about a bunch of snow,” Herron said.
However, the other concern Forest Service officials have is for fire. Everything is dry. And while the agency doesn’t usually issue fire danger reports this time of year, it could if precipitation does not come. While other agencies have implemented winter fire restrictions, the Forest Service has yet to do so.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Duh…. people come to Tahoe for the mountain experience. Or for that matter they just love to get outdoors and enjoy the experience where ever they may be. Maybe they should consider opening a few sites on a year round basis. Apparently they have the staff to monitor litter. Might as well collect fees to pay for picking up the litter.
If they are worried about fire now what is going to happen this summer? Probably keep everything closed so the public cannot enjoy the lands which they own.
exactly what does “monitoring litter” mean? you count it without picking it up? Yes it would make sense to open up some of the lots (especially at Taylor Creek) and instead monitor for snow, closing the lot when it does snow, and you would have less people parking on the vegtation along the highway.