Hiking

El Dorado County Sheriff's Search and Rescue teams were called out twice on Friday evening, once to the Cascade Falls area and the other to Vikingsholm.

The first call came in just before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15. Two women from Illinois were hiking near Cascade Falls and became lost. They called 911. While waiting to be located, the women came across other hikers who assisted them in returning to the camp ground where they were met by Search and Rescue at approximately 6 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Lake Tahoe is one of California’s greatest natural treasures. It is a beauty to behold, with forested mountains surrounding the deep blue shimmering surface. It is famous for many recreational activities- snowboarding, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and sunbathing. But the clear blue waters of Tahoe are in trouble. Invasive species, climate change, and sedimentation all threaten the unique ecosystems of the lake.

Heavenly Mountain Resort's proposal to expand to year round, non-skiing activities is now under review by the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Heavenly's plan is to create a summer experience for guests with the addition of zipline and skycycle canopy tours, a mountain bike park, a ropes course, water activities, hiking trails,mountain excursion tours and nature interpretation.

You may have noticed the new bus shelters placed this summer along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe. They were installed by the Tahoe Transportation District, operator of the local South Shore Transit System. The shelters won't only come with seating and protect those waiting for buses from the elements, they also have new bike racks and bear safe trash cans.

From September 5 – 15th the Ruffwear pack will be on the road visiting fans and retailers in California and Nevada as well as stopping at the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in Del Mar Beach to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

If you see the Ruffwear van, swing by and say hi or better yet, snap a shot of you or your dog photo bombing the van, share and tag #DogGoneRoadTrip on Instagram and we’ll reward our favorites with some nice schwag.

LOCAL RETAILER EVENTS

The second Free Fishing Day in 2013 in California will be Saturday, Sept. 7. The first was way back on Saturday, July 6.

On Sept. 7 you will be able to fish wherever you like without the need for a fishing license. However remember that you will need to abide by the rules and regulations that govern whatever water(s) you will be fishing.

Be sure to obey those rules and regulations, and don’t do something illegal. If you do, and if you get caught, it could be a very expensive experience.

Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe has submitted a proposal to the USDA Forest Service and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for expansions to its on-mountain summer activities, as part of Vail Resorts’ Epic Discovery, a Summer Mountain Adventure.

Cultivating a passion and appreciation for the outdoors is a year-round task, and Heavenly Mountain Resort is stepping up to the challenge by expanding its summer operations to include more interactive, family-friendly learning experiences.

“Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, and there is a tremendous opportunity to offer more summer activities at the top of the Gondola,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “Our hope is that visitors of all ages and backgrounds are able to create life-long connections to our National Forests through adventure, play and recreation.”

The Friends of the Library will host a talk on Desolation Wilderness. This afternoon event, is presented by Bill Finch, volunteer backcountry wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service. He will show slides which he believes best exemplify the natural beauty found so close to South Lake Tahoe. He will share his wilderness expertise, preparing us for a summer of hiking in this spectacular area.

Join us for this free informational presentation at the South Lake Tahoe Library. For questions e-mail Tahoe.Programs@gmail.com, or call (530) 573-3185.

Location

Mary Bennington, executive director of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, is featured on Friday's KUNR program Beyond The Headlines.

The Tahoe Rim Trail is one of the world's premier trails. It passes through California and Nevada, six counties, one state park, three National Forests, and three Wilderness areas. This spectacular trail is 165 miles of single-track multiuse trail, winding from peak to peak around Lake Tahoe.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigators are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 63-year-old woman. Kathy Arlana Hammond was reported as a missing person by a friend on Sunday, Feb. 17. Hammond was last seen at approximately 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15.

Hammond is reported to be mentally unstable, and has threatened suicide in the past. Hammond is reported to be driving a 4-door 1993 Subaru Legacy sedan, teal green in color, bearing California license plate 3CKF797.

Alpenglow Sports has teamed up with Tahoe Cross Country to present the first-ever Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10. All events are free, open to the public and take place at Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Tahoe City, California. A full schedule of events is available at www.tahoenordicfestival.com.

Backpackers scored 50 percent better on a creativity test after spending four days in nature disconnected from electronic devices, according to a study by psychologists from the University of Utah and University of Kansas.

Powerful early-season storms combined with the area’s largest snowmaking operations have allowed Vail Resorts’ Lake Tahoe mountains – Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort – to open early with 111 acres. Heavenly and Northstar will open on Wednesday, Nov. 14 with a combined seven lifts and eight trails, totaling 51 acres.

It has been a very busy week for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit. Numerous backcountry visitors were caught off guard with the arrival of this weekend’s inclement weather.
Approximately 60 SAR volunteers along with four Sheriff’s deputies responded to 11 different deployments between Friday and Wednesday. Nine of the SAR events were within the borders of El Dorado County while two were in Alpine County.

Lake Tahoe authorities report that a 20-year-old Chico woman has been hospitalized after falling 100 feet down lower Eagle Falls on Saturday while hiking. The woman was airlifted to Renown Medical Center in Reno after being found by El Dorado County Search and Rescue. Her condition is unknown but was said to have major injuries.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Sept. 12-19.

Wild is the new theme in advertising for Lake Tahoe license plates, as U.S. National Stand Up Paddleboard Team member Jay Wild of Truckee is featured in television and print ads shot last week at Carnelian Bay.

“Over 96 percent of fees help support projects like the Lake Tahoe Water Trail and access to beaches like this,” says Wild, standing on the beach at Watermans Landing. “I train on the lake every day. Tahoe is a treasure, and I have a Tahoe plate to show my love for this magical place.”

Several weeks ago, while hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail, we had to call El Dorado Search & Rescue. We would like to thank volunteers Scott Gabler, Siena Smith and their colleagues, and the Calstar heli...

Founders Circle members of a Lake Tahoe nonprofit donated $55,000 at Sunday's annual Tahoe Fund Summer Dinner and croquet party for three specific projects that will improve lake clarity and recreational opportunities in the Tahoe Basin. The money raised by the Fund is for shovel-ready public projects that require additional private support to be completed, and was in addition to the more than $120,000 raised by the dinner for the organization.

It’s that time of the year again. This is my annual reminder that if you’re someone like me, summer’s sweltering heat is not much fun. I do not like the summer months.
I am an outdoors person who dearly loves the cold, frost, ice and snow of winter, and I absolutely and totally wilt at this time of the year.
I am miserable and grouchy during hot weather months, especially August.
To be honest, I dislike the weather anytime it gets past 80-85 degrees.

Is it possible to be thrilled and relaxed at the same time?

I learned the answer to this question hanging beneath the canopy of a paraglider as it soared several hundred feet over the forested ridge that runs along the border between California and Nevada on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.

The excitement of flying through the air under an oversized parachute was matched only by the peaceful beauty of the blue lake below. It's a vantage point that might have left the great Mark Twain speechless.

Lake Tahoe was named the “Best Lake in America” in a recent readers' poll by USA TODAY. Editors narrowed national nominations to the top 16; readers weighed in and the largest and most popular alpine lake in North America took home top honors by garnering more than 5,000 votes via Facebook and Twitter.
Go here for the story.
Lake Tahoe is recognized for its timeless beauty and an international reputation as an outdoor recreational Mecca. The combination of great outdoors, entertainment, nightlife, dining and gaming identify its unique character.

New this summer, Squaw Valley is excited to host the resort’s first Full Moon Party at High Camp on Thursday, August 2. Slated to take place amidst the brightest full moon of the summer, the party will feature a line-up of five DJs playing from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. on the mountaintop. Party goers will be able to watch the brilliant full moon rise over Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains, and dance under the night sky as the stars come out.