Lake Tahoe Water Trail and Tahoe Adventure Company
Despite legislative delay, plans continue
By Joanna Hartman Sierra Sun September 5, 2007
The dream of a kayak and canoe trail around the shores of Lake Tahoe continues to move forward, despite recent delays in California legislation.
Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, scored an apparent victory in April when his Lake Tahoe Water Trail Bill, AB 1227, passed through the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
Sponsored jointly by the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, the assembly bill would have authorized the creation of a kayak and canoe trail around the 72-mile perimeter of Lake Tahoe.
But the bill has since been waylaid and will likely be re-introduced by a new legislator next year, said Executive Director Patrick Wright of the California Tahoe Conservancy.
At a Tahoe City Public Utility District board of directors meeting Tuesday evening, Wright explained that even though a state mandate would have to wait another year, water trail plans are moving forward.
With or without enabling legislation, government agencies and interested parties have started to collaborate on how to establish the water trail.
What's a water trail? A water trail is mostly defined by public access points, officials say.
Not too different from the Tahoe Rim Trail, advocates want to see an official water trail around Lake Tahoe.
The designation gives it the extra footing it needs for tourism.
"The idea of easy access for portable boats to Lake Tahoe is one that has just exploded," said Sue Rae Irelan, recreation specialist with the California Tahoe Conservancy.
A map of public access points, campgrounds, lodging and points of interest already exists. It was created a few years ago by the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee - a group of volunteers dedicated to coordinating information about nonmotorized boat access points around Lake Tahoe.
But signage, directions and more official information would come with the water trail if mandated by the state.
"Kayakers as a whole are a pretty conscientious, respectful group of people. With a trail designated with where you can and can't go, kayakers, I think, would obey that," said Kevin Hickey, owner of Tahoe Adventure Company and a kayaker.
"I can't really see a reason not to have a [designated water trail]," he added.
Promoting sustainable recreation
Kayaking is exploding in popularity, the sport's advocates say, and a sanctioned water trail on Lake Tahoe would provide an opportunity to explore the shoreline with access points, resting places, campgrounds, lodging, points of interest and other facilities accommodating kayakers and canoeists.
Chesapeake Bay, Lake Champlain, rivers in Pennsylvania, and the San Francisco Bay are among the few places with designated water trails.
"It's one thing to have a trail network, it's another to have this designation," said Wright about the state legislation. "It makes all the difference to the tourism industry."
Kayaker Kevin Hickey, owner and director of Tahoe Adventure Company, agrees. "As kayaking itself has been growing as a sport, there are other water trails that exist and are very popular and successful as far as people using them," he said in a phone interview Wednesday. "We should be promoting sustainable recreation ... Getting out on the lake paddling is an awesome way to see Tahoe."
Advocates say that an organized trail with signage and directions would address anticipated problems between motorized and nonmotorized boats, although it wouldn't restrict either group's use of the lake.
"This is not an attempt to produce preference to one user group over any others," said Sue Rae Irelan, recreation specialist with the California Tahoe Conservancy. Additionally, a state designation can help significantly when it comes to funding, advocates say.
"If this is official through the state of California, it allows us to compete better for implementation money," Irelan said. "And it charges us to make sure we work with all the interest groups in the basin."
Beginning in 2003, volunteers formed a nonprofit organization, the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee, in an effort to coordinate information about nonmotorized boat access points around Lake Tahoe. They also produced in 2005 a trail map and trip-planning guide that are for sale throughout the region.
"A lake like Lake Tahoe is the perfect venue for a water trail - it's scenic, it's a lake whose water quality is threatened," Hickey said. "I think promoting nonmotorized recreation is certainly helpful for that cause."
- The Tahoe Daily Tribune's Adam Jensen contributed to this report.
Visitors Love To Adventure With Us
"We rented a tandem kayak from Tahoe Adventure Company. The rental was quick and easy. You walk up and scan the QR code on your phone, fill out the waiver on your phone and send it in. They have large and small dry bags for rent for $5. We took the large one, which fit our towels, our picnic lunch, and a number of other things that we didn't want to get wet. The kayaking itself was great! After leaving, we headed left approx. an hour to the rocky area, which was nice to explore. We found a rock near enough to shore that we could easily get out of the kayak to swim and then sit on the rock to eat lunch before heading back. Overall trip was 3 hours and the scenery was beautiful (in spite of the haze due to the wildfires around CA). We would definitely do this again." -Katie G.
Micah was our tour guide on the kayak tour on July 3rd on the Sand Harbor Kayak Tour and he was great! He was friendly, knowledgeable of the area and had a great attitude. The lunch was delicious and fresh. We couldn't have asked for a better kayak tour. -Tara and Howard
"We had a great time on our sunset snowshoe tour with Nikki. She was very considerate of our group's needs and offered options to ensure that everyone was able to participate and have fun. The snowshoeing was easy to get the hang of thanks to her tips and we really enjoyed being among the trees and seeing great views!" -Ashley B.
"We did the Sand Harbor kayak tour and LOVED every second! First off the staff is great. Katie booked our tour for us and she was so kind and helpful. She answered all our questions and was so sweet. Tucker took us on the tour and he was so knowledgeable and great with our kids. We had four boys in our tour and he told jokes and swam with them. The lunch on the beach was fun and yummy- complete with drinks and cookies. We highly recommend this company and tour. I can't wait to go back again!" -Samantha D.
-- Samantha D.
"We rented a tandem kayak from Tahoe Adventure Company. The rental was quick and easy. You walk up and scan the QR code on your phone, fill out the waiver on your phone and send it in. They have large and small dry bags for rent for $5. We took the large one, which fit our towels, our picnic lunch, and a number of other things that we didn't want to get wet. The kayaking itself was great! After leaving, we headed left approx. an hour to the rocky area, which was nice to explore. We found a rock near enough to shore that we could easily get out of the kayak to swim and then sit on the rock to eat lunch before heading back. Overall trip was 3 hours and the scenery was beautiful (in spite of the haze due to the wildfires around CA). We would definitely do this again." -Katie G.
-- Katie G
"This was a great experience, kayaking and star gazing. We kayaked first which was a fun experience and we then went back to shore for some warm refreshments and a great presentation about the stars, planets, galaxy & universe. There were 2 large telescopes set up on the shore of Lake Tahoe that we were able to use to see Saturn and its rings as well as things outside of our galaxy and beyond the Milky Way. It was a great afternoon & evening." Randy B.