West Shore Pedestrian and Bike Trails
“Cascade to Meeks Bay Trail” paved pedestrian/bike trail:
The TRPA and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have initiated a feasibility study for the remaining section of the Tahoe Trail bike path along the west shore from Spring Creek Road (near Baldwin Beach/Camp Richardson) north through Emerald Bay to Meeks Bay. The study will look at possible routes based on factors such as slope, grade, rideability, and more. An environmental analysis will then be completed.
A public webinar was held on 10/25/2021 to seek public input on the feasibility study. In general, the study route has been broken down into six smaller segments for further review and ranking. FOWS submitted comments on 11/15/2021. Concerns include the proposed routes through the Tahoe Hills area (and lack of an alternative option) and the possibility of drawing more traffic associated with use of the trail (as occurred with the SR 28 Incline to Sand Harbor trail), which may create parking, safety, and other problems along the West Shore.
Meeting materials, maps, and the recorded webinar are available here. Final study recommendations are anticipated in summer 2022. For more information and to opt-in to receive future communication about the West Shore Tahoe Trail and the Trail Feasibility Study, visit www.westshoretahoetrail.com.
Electric bikes and a new unpaved mountain biking trail (Meeks Bay to Emerald Bay):
In 2021, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released scoping information regarding a proposal to allow the use of electric bikes ("e-bikes") on a subset of USFS System trails in the Tahoe Basin, including portions along the West Shore. As an ‘add on’ to this environmental analysis, a new mountain bike trail on the mountainside of SR 89 from Meeks Bay to Emerald Bay is being considered.
In March 2021, the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) held a public comment scoping period to obtain public comments on the proposal, which affects several trails (existing and new) along the West Shore. According to a subsequent news article, the USFS received hundreds of comments on the proposal, with comments roughly split between those who support the proposal and those who oppose it. FOWS submitted comments on the proposal, highlighting concerns with the lack of enforcement in the proposed project and impacts of increased trail use, especially given over-use has already been a problem. No updates have been provided as of January 2022; learn more here.
What Can I Do?
Every West Shore resident should understand this project and its potential impact on our community, so thank you for reading this and staying active! More ways to help:
Write letters to Placer/El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the TRPA Governing Board.
Attend Placer/El Dorado County and TRPA public meetings and workshops. Check our site for updates on upcoming meetings.
Read our newsletters and connect with us on facebook to stay informed on opportunities to take action.
Get in touch with us. Let us know your concerns and what can we do to help you understand this project.
Support us through membership, volunteering, or donation.