Lake Tahoe bike map updated
The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition has produced an update to the Lake Tahoe Bikeways Map.
It is available throughout the Tahoe region for free.
This map illustrates the many bikeways in the Tahoe/Truckee region with one side dedicated to the South Shore area and the other side the North Shore.
A bikeway is an inclusive term used on the map to describe all facilities that bicycles may use and they include: separated bike paths, dedicated and shared highway bike lanes, neighborhood connector bike routes, and mountain biking trails. Also included on the map are points of interest, safety information, marinas, parks, and campgrounds.
Fifty thousand maps have been printed and are available at bike shops, visitor centers, lodging properties, and resorts through the region.
Maps may also be downloaded in specific geographic locations of interest.
We are a family of mountain bikers but our observations are that the Forest Service has gone too far in the direction of making almost all trails except for Desolation and PCT open to biking. Multiple use is fine for most trails but with the upswing in trail building and use a few things are happening. Something that has been discussed recently in the LTN is the conflict between hikers and riders. There are just some trails that are not compatible for both uses. On the Hawley Grade for example it is almost impossible for even the best rider to come down that hill and control speed so as not to endanger hikers around a sharp turn. Hikers have talked about using their poles as spoke sticks (hopefully only in jest or frustration) and some hesitate to take their children up to the waterfall because of the danger of being hit.
This is a trail that should be designated for hiking.
Trail damage is becoming increasingly apparent. The topic of skidding downhill was addressed in the Mountain News in July. On the Tahoe Mountain Trail there are places where the groove worn by bikers is over a foot deep. This of course means that hikers have to walk beside that trail thus creating another trail. There are so many trails criss crossing themselves on Tahoe Mountain that the original, steepest one should be designated as a hiking trail for the sake of reducing conflict and trail damage where skidding is inevitable. The Forest Service has plans to place biking trails on both ridge lines adjacent to the Angora Road. Why can’t one of them be for hikers so that families and other walkers can walk without worrying about bikers?
It has been suggested that hikers simply use Desolation or the PCT if they want to avoid riders but this means that instead of being able to go on a family walk near your neighborhood, it would be necessary to get everyone in the car, drive to an already congested trailhead parking lot and begin hiking.
Most hiking areas have a small percentage of trails designated for hiking only. In our area it is clear that a few trails are inappropriate for biking due to erosion and safety concerns. Why can’t a few of these be designated for hiking? Most mountain bikers are very polite and considerate and may even agree that having trails for hikers would–in some areas–be a reasonable idea.
Our family hikes in many different areas in many Western states and it does seem that the Forest Service here has gone overboard in the direction of designating almost everything as open to riders while ignoring thousands of adults and their children who wish to hike on a trail not eroded by bike use and to avoid the dangers of bikers racing at high speed toward them.
We can and should accommodate these recreational pursuits in the basin but more thought and consideration should go into the needs of all the users.
HikerChick, Great letter! I agree with your sentiment. Though I mountain bike, and occasionally motorcycle and hike, I would prefer to have a little space to enjoy whatever I’m doing without getting brushed off of the trail, or conversely, having to constantly pull over. Even though many people are courteous, there seems to be a little tension developed when users of a different nature cross paths.
Understanding that it is unlikely that we will have dedicated individual trails in all areas for hikers, mountain bikers, dirt bikers and equestrians, it would be nice to have a few restricted trails here and there. This would result in a better overall experience for all.
Perhaps you should forward your letter to Garrett Villanueva at the USFS – LTBMU, as he appears to be the lead engineer for many of these trail projects.
Hikerchick, Well written comment about our local trails and there use. In the old days back when we rode all the trails off of Pioneer on our dirt bikes, the common courtesy was if you came upon someone on a horse, you pulled your motorcycle off to the side of the trail and turned off the engine so as not to spook the horse.
Some trails are not compatible for bikers, hikers and horses. I don’t want to see over regulation but a little oversight and well thought out planning might make for a better experience for everyone. OLS
Please feel free to send the comments to Mr Villanueva if you have his contact information.
Another question is whether or not the FS has the funding to maintain the trails after they are built. If they are not monitored and maintained they will deteriorate to deep grooves with new trails created on either side (this is already happening) which will then become something that has to be overhauled at taxpayer expense. Its always cheaper to maintain something than it is to rebuild it.
I wonder how many hikers–local and visiting–feel the need for a few dedicated hiking trails.
Hikerchick, your comments and suggestions are spot on. Thanks for articulating the thoughts as they are very specific and well thoughtout. I hope the FS folk will take these comments seriously and that the bicycle folk wont take it negatively. There is plenty of room for all.
So between all of the nearby thousands of acres of Wilderness and the miles and miles of non-Wilderness trails that are already closed to cyclists, what else do you really want that’s reasonable and equitable? Are you willing to have cyclist only trails? Would we agree on a mile-for-mile arrangement? That is, would we close a mile of trail to hikers for every mile that is closed to cyclists? And then would we do the same for all other trail users, so that equestrian only and motorcycle only and 4×4 only trails equal in miles to all of the other exclusive use trails?
I believe this would be a huge and unmanageable headache for the public land managers in the Tahoe Basin. The obvious solution would be for all users to learn to share. There are *ss h*les from all user groups, and they should be treated as individual *ss h*les but not as representatives of a larger user group.
I know not to go for a leisurely dog walk on Mr Toad’s on a weekend. I know not to ride my road bike up Echo on a Sunday afternoon. I know not to ride my horse on Sidewinder, ever. I know not to go to popular restaurants on weekend nights. I know not to hike any trail near Emerald Bay any day of the week during summer. I know not to try to load the Heavenly Gondola before 11am on weekends or holidays during ski season. Etc, etc, etc.
Learn to share, and if you can’t, go where cycling is already not allowed. There are really lots and lots of trails closed to cycling, and plenty more that simply aren’t favored by cyclists.
And if you want to change USFS policy, don’t rant about it here. Instead, get involved in the NEPA process required for all major projects on public lands.
I had not thought of this as a rant–just some ideas I thought might be worth sharing. Can you list the South Shore trails that are closed to mountain biking (aside from the PCT and Desolation)? Thank you.
Pretty much all West Shore trails north of Tahoe Mountain to Homewood including non-Wilderness trails and most CA State Park trails, anything in Meiss Country, most trails between Emerald Bay Rd or HWY 50 and the lake, Freel Peak, most trails near Spooner.
Then there are the trails not closed but not favored by cyclists; like so many neighborhood trails, the Warr Trail, Heavenly trails and roads, and lots of spur trails off of the TRT near Kingsbury.
Just beyond South Shore is Mokelmune Wilderness and Carson Iceburg Wilderness, and lots of closed and/or unfavored trails in Hope Valley or in Woodfords Canyon, or the Jobs Peak trails from Foothills Rd in the Carson Valley. Then there’s Mt Rose Wilderness and Granite Chief Wilderness to our north…
And “aside from Desolation and the PCT” is quite the omission, you must admit!
Can you list South Shore trails that are closed to hikers but open to cyclists?
And regarding the erosion argument: It’s long been established that erosion is less a function of specific users and more a function of rain, snowmelt, and trail design. So it’s no surprise if all of us have witnessed more trail erosion during an unusually wet summer, even on trails closed to cyclists.
Hiking boots, bike tires, horse hooves, and even OHVs all have less environmental impact than the Prius and supporting road network required to get from SF to the remote Sierra trailhead.
Right on romie.. It seems there are too many people I tahoe these days !