Bears at Emerald Bay

[Sunset tripper]

Emerald Bay is an inlet on the south west corner of Lake Tahoe. We had driven up from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe which is a ski resort on the Nevada California border. You can find a decent room in a hotel here for two people for around $30 dollars a night (at the time of writing) often including breakfast.
First view of Lake Tahoe from the road

Lake Tahoe is around 22 miles long 12 miles wide and over 1500ft deep

Its in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains

The map shows the path going downhill to the lake

At the trailhead there is a lot of wildlife and very tame as they associate people with food

Friendly squirrel

A type of bluejay

and in close up

A view of Emerald Bay from near the trailhead

We followed the path for about a mile down to the shore of the lake which is around about 6200ft above sea level. We noticed big scratch marks on one of the trees on the way down .
At the bay

Mrs. ST on the beach

I had had a chat with the ranger in the carpark before we had set off and he had said there were bears in the area and they were often seen at the lakeside. He also said they were used to people and they "rarely" cause any problems. In the unlikely event that we were chased by bears he advised that they would be after our backpack as bears associate backpacks with food and discarding your pack encourages them to chase people.
So if a bear charges towards you, you have to stand tall and tell it loudly its not getting your food, AYE RIGHT

This was the moment I wished id left the rucksack in the car

There were 4 bears in total 2 adults and 2 cubs

As the ranger had said they caused no problem. Even though they were very close and could see the 2 of us clearly they were not interested.

Another view of the bay

It was about a mile all uphill back to the carpark.
A chipmunk back at the trailhead

It was not frightened at all and got very close. Glad the bears weren't this friendly I like my rucksack

Fannette island In the bay has an old teahouse on it.

A short walk but if your anywhere nearby and can drag yourself away from the big peaks well worth a visit

[Alteknacker]

Surely your ranger had it completely wrong about dealing with bears? I suggest they should be reminded about watching their manners, particularly with guests, and, as a minimum, if they want a pack, they should ask nicely and at least say "please". No?

[ChrisW]

Great stuff ST, it's areal shame that the bears are so accustomed to people, that always leads to trouble eventually and usually the death of the bear Feeding bears should be a $2000 fine and heavily enforced, that sow with the cub looks fat in all the wrong places like she's had a diet of burgers and chips

I love Lake Tahoe though, Sarah and I stopped off and had a swim in Sand Harbour on the North East shore en route to San Fran. Sand Harbour has a few beaches but you need to get in early as the car park is usually full and closes by 9am on weekends.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Amazing place and what must have been a memorable day, thanks for sharing.

[Sunset tripper]

Surely your ranger had it completely wrong about dealing with bears? I suggest they should be reminded about watching their manners, particularly with guests, and, as a minimum, if they want a pack, they should ask nicely and at least say "please". No?

Hi Alteknacker as far as im concerned the bears can do whatever they like

Great stuff ST, it's areal shame that the bears are so accustomed to people, that always leads to trouble eventually and usually the death of the bear Feeding bears should be a $2000 fine and heavily enforced, that sow with the cub looks fat in all the wrong places like she's had a diet of burgers and chips

I love Lake Tahoe though, Sarah and I stopped off and had a swim in Sand Harbour on the North East shore en route to San Fran. Sand Harbour has a few beaches but you need to get in early as the car park is usually full and closes by 9am on weekends

Cheers Chris ive been to Tahoe twice but both times at the south end. The north east looks good also hopefully i'll get there one day. I spoke to a barman in town ie South Lake Tahoe and he said they get bears in town now something that was unheard of in the past. Apparently they shoot them with a dart, tag them and drop them far from town. But if they come back its bad luck for them unfortunately

Amazing place and what must have been a memorable day, thanks for sharing.

Cheers JK. Yes a great day and a great part of the world