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
Kate was our guide. She was patient, informative and very personable. Loved hearing the Lake Tahoe myths and stories. The two hour tour was plenty of time for us, heard there was a 4 hour tour that may get tiring from paddling so much/long. For groups, I recommend sharing the kayak (2 person kayak) as it just made it easier for us to enjoy the experience with each other (communication, pictures, etc.).
Thanks for a great experience, Kate! 100% recommend! -Sarah L.
"Went Kayaking today with Tahoe Adventure Company, it was a fantastic time! We had called multiple kayaking companies beforehand and they all were closed, luckily we found this place!! So glad they were open because it was a great day to kayak. The weather was beautiful, not too hot and a bit overcast. Nolan was a super welcoming and helpful kayak representative!! He answered all of our questions and helped us, additionally he let us wash off our feet afterwards. Thanks Nolan for all of your help! Thanks for staying open Tahoe Adventure Company!" -Sydney M.
"We have been using Tahoe Adventure Company for fun adventures for the past 5 years. They are always just the best!!! Their booking is efficient, their equipment always great and their guides are wonderfully informative and enjoyable." Anne T.
"Registration was easy, and the people on the phone were very friendly and helpful. With less than 24 hours notice, they set up a customized bike ride for my brother and me. We told them we had no previous mountain biking experience but are very athletic teens and would only be a group of two instead of the supposed minimum of four. They let us sign up for a lengthier and more advanced trail (the Flume Trail) than the usual beginner options and even upgraded our bikes for free! Our guide was very nice but not "too nice" (she obviously had experience dealing with teens). She knew the trail extremely well and took some great pictures of us (with our camera, so the pictures were free). We stopped for snacks and lunch (great sandwiches from Safeway), and the guide even showed us a fish restocking station. The biking itself was incredibly fun, but does require a fair bit of athleticism for both uphill and downhill sections (parents, be warned). We rode the shuttle back to the meeting point to get picked up in the afternoon. Fantastic experience overall." -Vincent W.
-- Vincent W.
"Booking process was seamless, and received good comms after booking. The kayak tour was in the a.m., followed by a delicious lunch under the pines and an afternoon sail that they booked for us thru a third party. Our kayak tour was the absolute highlight of our visit, and our guide Tim was awesome. Tim was incredibly knowledgable, but also a very fun guy to hang out with for a few hours...wish we could have hung out with him longer! Tim also went so far as to give us some advice on a driving tour around the lake the following day that turned out great! Thanks Tim!!" Barry A.
-- Barry A.
I just wanted to send a quick 'thank-you' to you and Micah for the entire two day trip you planned. It was really more than we had hoped for in terms of experiencing Tahoe. It was truly an awesome time; and I know that everyone thought it was incredible. Thanks again, I would recommend this to any other person interested in seeing Tahoe. -Dan