Taylor Creek closure extended by USFS
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/02/2020 - 3:13pm
Due to continued public health and safety concerns, trail construction, risk of bear-human encounters and in order to discourage large groups from gathering, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has extended a Forest Order that temporarily closes Taylor Creek and the surrounding area. This order (see here) is extended through November 9 at this time.
In recent years, the Taylor Creek area has experienced a large increase in use as visitors flock to the creek to observe the fall spawning of Kokanee salmon, which also provides a natural food source for black bears. Visitor center staff have routinely observed visitors approaching bears at unsafe distances to observe bear behavior and take photographs. The risk of bear-human interaction combined with anticipated crowding and inability to maintain social distance requirements on narrow trails, trail construction and public health concerns associated with large gatherings all contributed to the decision to close the area for public safety.
The temporary closure order prohibits members of the public, including photographers, from entering the Taylor Creek area from Fallen Leaf Dam to the marsh area where the creek empties into Lake Tahoe. Parking areas at Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Taylor Creek Sno-Park and the nearby pump station will be closed and parking on the shoulders of Highway 89 near the bridge that crosses Taylor Creek will be prohibited. Please obey all closure signs.
As a reminder, portions of the Rainbow Trail are still under construction for a trail improvement project that began in late July to reroute approximately 600 feet of the existing trail out of sensitive wetland areas and extend a section of the elevated boardwalk. This watershed improvement project is designed to reduce impacts to the heavily visited and beloved Rainbow Trail, while protecting wildlife in the area to ensure the trail remains viable for the enjoyment of visitors in the years to come.
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