CHP works to keep SR88 safe as vehicles park illegally when heading to Kirkwood

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The slopes around Lake Tahoe have been full this ski season, especially with Sierra-at-Tahoe closed due to extensive damage from the Caldor Fire. with crowded slopes come crowded parking lots, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is addressing those parking illegally on SR88 near Kirkwood.

On Saturday, March 5, officers from the CHP South Lake Tahoe Office found several cars parked illegally - cars over the white line and in the lane of travel in a notoriously dangerous area called "icebox" due to the icy conditions.

Once the parking lots at Kirkwood fill up, people are asked to park in from of the Kirkwood Inn and the resort will bus people in.

"If our in-valley parking fills up, our parking attendants will inform guests that there is overflow parking at the Kirkwood Inn. Our shuttle will only provide service to organized overflow parking areas outside of the valley," said Dennis Baggett, spokesperson for Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

Once the inn parking is full, which could be as early as 8:00 a.m to 8:30 a.m., people have been parking along SR88 where it is not allowed.

On March 5, CHP found cars facing west on the highway where there is no shoulder to park on. Officer Brown took out his bullhorn to address skiers and riders waiting for the shuttle, telling them to move their cars if parked illegally on the highway. Some moved cars but most appeared to have been on a previous shuttle and did not respond.

In total, six vehicles were towed Saturday.

Parking on the white line is illegal, as is having any parts of the car, including rearview mirrors, sticking out over it.

"Just because the car in front of you is parking illegally, [it does not] justify you parking illegally," said CHP South Lake Tahoe on Twitter.

In the photos above, every vehicle was parked illegally.

Baggett said they tell people they can pull over in appropriate pullouts designated with signage, such as on Carson Pass, and wait until around 1:00 p.m. and check back to see if parking has become available in the valley.

"We also tell people the highway is not our property, to not park or wait there, especially over the white line, and if they do the CHP actively tows and tickets vehicles," said Baggett.

Kirkwood also encourages carpooling, especially on busy weekends, and to arrive early. Since the parking lot opens at 7:00 a.m. people can park before the resort opens, as long as they are mindful of snow removal operations should there be snow on the ground.

CHP also has the same issues year-round on SR89 near Emerald Bay, and along US50 at Echo Summit and in front of the airport during the winter.

CHP Officer Ruth Loehr said drivers seem to see another car parked and assume it's okay to park behind them, not taking note of the signs and laws.