Skip to main content Are we going to love it to death? : This magical hike in Tahoe has a dark side
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The view from Chickadee Ridge in Lake Tahoe.Julie Brown / SFGATE
This was supposed to be a light, easy story about a popular magical, even hike in Lake Tahoe.
But then I went on the hike. And when I came back to write the story, I couldn’t let go of some big, ethical questions that were staring me in the eyes. Quite literally. A bird was staring me in the eyes.
Chickadee Ridge is one of Tahoe’s most popular winter hikes, for good reason. It’s easily accessible, pretty short, mostly flat, and rewards with absolutely beautiful views. Upon arrival, you’ll immediately understand how the ridge got its name. The mountain chickadees are impossible to miss. There are so many of them. Little gray, black and white birds in every tree. I mean, it really is magical.
Locations on the map above:
1. Spider Pig Landing Piles - USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. In the vicinity of Fallen Leaf Lake, Camp Richardson Corrals, Fallen Leaf Lake Road and Highway 89. Burn Type: Landing Piles. Total Acreage: 5.00 .Planned Ignition: 02/02-05/2021. Duration of Ignition and Smoke Production: 3-5 days of ignition. Smoke will be visible for 1 to 2 weeks as piles burn down. Estimated Direction of Smoke Travel: North/Northeast/East Communities or Smoke Sensitive Areas: Smoke may be visible throughout the Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities and Southlake Tahoe and Spring Creek
2. Homer J Landing Piles - USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. In the vicinity of Spring Creek. Mattole Road and Spring Creek Road. Burn Type: Landing Piles. Total Acreage: 5.00. Planned Ignition: 02/03-05/2021. Duration of Ignition and Smoke Production: 3-5 days of ignition. Smoke will be visible for 1 to 2 weeks as piles burn down. Estimated Directi
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With nice weather, a relaxing of some travel restrictions, and some snow on the ground, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend is expected to be a busy one in the Sierra.
The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and California State Parks have joined together in an outreach campaign to provide simple actions to increase the enjoyment of the outdoors experience. Staying local, planning ahead, social distancing guidelines, not leaving trash and following the posted rules are just some of the ways to enjoy Lake Tahoe and the Sierra.
Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. Day use areas of National Forests and state parks currently open to the public remain open for the health and welfare of Californians.
Staff report
The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced that two permits to manage national forest campgrounds and day use areas around the Lake Tahoe Basin have been awarded to Recreation Resource Management-California Land Management’s Tahoe Recreation division.
The company, which was recently formed, competed successfully against several other qualified companies to operate and maintain recreation sites included in the Basin Complex and Meeks Bay Complex permits.
The 10-year Basin Complex Permit includes William Kent Campground and Beach, Kaspian Campground and Beach, Blackwood Canyon Campground, Bayview Day Use Area and Trailhead, Inspiration Point Interpretive Site, Fallen Leaf Campground, Baldwin Beach, Pope Beach and Nevada Beach Campground and Beach.
Conditions and weather permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will conduct widespread prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Smoke may be visible.
1. Panther ULM - USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - Fallen Leaf Rd. and Highway 89, South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Burn Type: Hand Piles, Total Acreage: 10.00. Planned Ignition: 01/13-18/21. Duration of Ignition and Smoke Production: 5-7 days of ignition and 2 days of burn down time. Estimated Direction of Smoke Travel: North/Northeast/East. Communities or Smoke Sensitive Areas:
Smoke may be visible throughout the Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities.
2. Rubicon ULM - USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - Amanda Lane and Highway 89, south of Meeks Bay, West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Burn Type: Hand Piles, Total Acreage: 3.00. Planned Ignition: 01/12-14/21. Duration of Ignition and Smoke Production: 1 day of ignition and extinquished each day. Estimated Direction of Smoke Trave