Drivers stopped for snow play adventures continue to park dangerously & illegally

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,

There are many common annual trouble spots where the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has to deal with the illegal usage of the roads. US50 from Kyburz to South Lake Tahoe, including Echo Summit, I80 in all spots where snow is accessible, SR89 around Emerald Bay, US50 across from the Lake Tahoe Airport, Blue Lakes, Carson Pass, Twin Bridges, and all surrounding Sno-Parks. For CHP in Placerville, their current problem spot with the higher snow level is Strawberry and the area west of the town.

"One of our biggest problem areas is near the airport," said CHP Officer Ruth Loehr of the South Lake Tahoe office. "Even though there are posted Private Property and No Parking signs, people still park and sled until they are told to disperse."

It isn't just a tourist problem, its locals too, Loehr said, especially in summer. She said there is a "mob mentality" where one driver sees a car parked and they'll do the same thing, no matter what the signage says. They will go through one area, like Inspiration Point in Emerald Bay and ticket the cars and move others requiring towing. The officers move to Eagles Fall and perform the same task there, then by that time Inspiration Point is full of illegal parkers.

It is a constantly repeated process, Loehr said.

CHP South Lake Tahoe has the jurisdiction from the lake to Twin Bridges, the CHP Placerville takes over.

Officer Andrew Brown from the Placerville office says they show up to ticket drivers and all of a sudden there is a mad dash as they get back into their cars to move. Little do the drivers know that the officers can just take a photo and the ticket is mailed to them.

With just one driver stopping to pull into a "no parking" area, a chain reaction is set off and the traffic backs up for miles, said Brown.

"It's a constant battle," said Brown of the parking situation on US 50. "They ignore the rules."

Over the past six months, CHP in South Lake Tahoe has issued 272 parking citations:
December – 94 citations issued
November – 39 citations issued
October – 18 citations issued
September – 41 citations issued
August – 45 citations issued
July – 35 citations issued

In just the five days of 2020, 37 citations have been issued.

Fines range from $32 to $450 and vary by County and violation.

22507.8(a) CVC – No Parking/Stopping in Disabled Space = $450.00
22502(a) CVC – Parked Wrong Way = $40.00
22505(b) CVC – No Parking/Stopping on State Highway = $50.00
5091.15(a) PRC – No Sno-Park Permit = $94.50
10.12.080 EDCO – No Stopping/Parking in Tow Away = $40.00
4000(a) CVC – Expired Registration = $100.00

There has been some obscure violation address locally as well:

5204 CVC – Improper Display of Plates (i.e. No front plate)
22510 CVC - Parking in Snow Removal Areas
22514 CVC – Blocking fire Hydrant
22500.1 CVC – Standing, Stopping, Parking in Fire Lane

Since 2017 South Tahoe Now has been reporting on these issues, but drivers appear to be less aware of the situation. In January 2017 we highlighted the problem at Echo Summit which was "a mess." Almost two years later in December 2018, we highlighted the problem of motorists parking in front of the airport in a no parking area to sled on a private piece of land.

There are plenty of areas to enjoy playing in the snow where parking is safe and legal. Remember that just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean its legal.

There are plenty of spots:

Adventure Mountain at the top of Echo Summit. It fills up quickly but is a great place to enjoy sledding and tubing safely. $35 to $40 a vehicle per day for all-day use. More info - http://adventuremountaintahoe.com/.

Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort isn't just for skiers. Their Blizzard Mountain offers two lift-accessible snow tubing lanes, an expanded snow play, sledding area that allows little (and big) ones to explore the winter outdoors at their own pace. Snow Play is $20-$25 and tubing is $30-$40. More info on https://www.sierraattahoe.com/blizzard-mountain/.

Any of the six California State Snow Parks in the area (Taylor Creek by Camp Richardson, Hope Valley, Echo Lake, Carson Pass, Meiss Meadow or Iron Mountain). They are just $5 a day or $25 a season (more info here - http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1233). They can be purchased on line or at a vendor like the Chevron or Roadrunner service stations in Meyers.

Kahle Community Park on Kingsbury Grade - It's a park, so already a safe place to place, and with some snow on top it's even more fun!

Hansen's Resort - Tube and saucer hill with a rate of $20 per hour (kids 4 and under free with paying adult). More info here - http://www.hansensresort.com/lake_tahoe_snow_tubing.htm.

Top of Spooner Summit. Pull into the parking area off SR24 near Highway 50. Free but it gets crowded.

Sawmill Pond - On Lake Tahoe Boulevard. There are paved parking spots and a small sled hill and snow area. The bike path crosses the road and gives users access to lots of area.

Walk into the Van Sickle Bi-State park behind Heavenly Village and Harrah's. No parking but a nice place to enjoy snow.

Bijou Community Park and Community Playfields - On Al Tahoe Blvd. Not open during SnowGlobe and bike race tracks area always closed to snow play, but there is a large park available to the public to enjoy year-round with parking lots.

On Fallen Leaf Lake Road, right at the SR89 intersection there is a hill that is becoming popular. Park safely and off Fallen Leaf Lake Road.

Tallac Historic Site off SR89. The buildings and road are closed but the area is open all year. Park outside the Valhalla entrance in the space provided and walk in.

If parking on the highway in a spot without "No Parking" signs, all four tires must be inside the white line, not touching or over it. The mirror must also be inside the white line.

And don't forget to pack out what you packed in, including plastic saucers. If they break or you don't want them anymore, neither does nature! There isn't anyone to clean up after you. This past weekend Officer Brown and Caltrans District 3 removed about 50 pounds of plastic saucers and broken pieces from the area near Strawberry, and over 1800 pounds was collected on Spooner Summit.