The Forest Service is proposing a $10 daily charge to park at various sites in the Tahoe Basin, including the upper paved lot at Echo; see the full Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) press release here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/laketahoebasin/newsroom/releases/proposed-changes-recreation-fees-lake-tahoe-basin-management LTBMU plans to install an automated payment kiosk, at which lot users can pay for one or more days. They are not proposing additional parking, nor

Effective Thursday 9/3, the Chalet has announced that the water level is too low and the yare suspending taxi service immediately. So, if you plan to visit the lake for Labor day weekend or after, you will need to arrange private transport. Reference: Echo Chalet website

This edition of The Osprey celebrates the people, stories, and natural history that make Echo Lakes special. Meet longtime Echo Lakers, explore a century of wildlife discoveries, learn why keeping soap out of the lake matters, revisit the adventurous Landry family legacy, and enjoy the latest sailing news and community happenings.

In-person in El Sobrante - no internet/zoom Place: Abbey Lane in the in El Sobrante. There are picnic tables and room for camping type chairs if you bring your own. The site is wheelchair/walker accessible and there are bathrooms near the site. Alcoholic beverages are allowed (beer/wine only). Note that the site may be shady so bring extra layers and something waterproof just in case. When: Saturday May 2nd, 10am - 1pm. The meeting will begin at 11am., but we have the site fr

If you’re planning to operate a motorized boat in California, there’s one requirement you can’t ignore: the California Boater Card . As of January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized vessels—regardless of age—are required to carry one while on the water. Who Needs It? Anyone operating a motorized vessel on California waterways must have a boater card, including: Powerboats Jet skis / personal watercraft Motorized sailboats Non-motorized users (kayaks, paddleboards, canoes) ar

This edition of The Osprey features more on the Caldor fire experience from the Summit cabins perspective. Plus, an interview with Bruce Potter, upper Echo avalanche, and a look back on the Echo Chalet during the war years of the 1940s.

Hello Echo Lakers, It’s the middle of summer and the bears are active! They’re also way too comfortable even with the presence of humans and dogs. There have been lots of bear sightings plus a few cabin break-ins and attempts reported. The break-ins have been reported from South Shore, Hemlock Tract, North Shore, and Channel Tract. I’m no expert on bears or their behavior, but it’s obvious ever since the Caldor fire that there has been more bear activity in the Tahoe region.

This edition of The Osprey explores Echo Lakes’ remarkable history, community, and changing environment—from the heroic fight to protect cabins during the Caldor Fire to shifting bird populations and avalanche dangers. Discover a legendary “Cop Car Caper,” practical bear-safety reminders, dark-sky concerns, and stories celebrating the enduring spirit of Echo Lake.

Highlights from a presentation given by Alexia Ronning, CDFW Bear Biologist Echo Chalet Meadow, July 6, 2024 Bears have become habituated to humans; we need to make them afraid of us again. If you see bears near your cabin, haze them aggressively using air horns, rocks, water, and/or aiming for their hind quarters with a paintball gun. When sleeping indoors or outdoors, make sure there aren’t any food items or attractive scents there with you. Have an air horn at the ready an

In 2008 the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) established a Watercraft Inspection Program to minimize the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Lake Tahoe. In 2021, the inspection program was expanded to include Echo Lake and Fallen Leaf, as both drain into Lake Tahoe. For more information, go here: https://tahoeboatinspections.com/ The Chalet is not an inspection station. You MUST have a Tahoe sticker and an

Have you ever wondered why, when and how the water level rises and falls at Echo Lakes? Water levels in the Echo Lakes are managed under two permits/licenses, both held by the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID). One is for the dam itself and the other governs the flow of water down Echo Creek to Lake Tahoe (“Echo Lake Outlet”). This article explains the guidelines for releasing the water. It also has links to the EID website where you can see the lake level and also the flo

The Echo Lake Environmental Fun (ELEF) has sent an extensive letter to TRPA about the proposed future Desolation Wilderness access trail on Echo Lake’s South Shore by the Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy. Please read the ELEF’s letter, attached to this article. Click the links below to learn more about this Strategy and TRPA. Tahoe Regional TraIls Strategy page image The Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy (TRTS) is a cooperative group formed by the T ahoe Regional Planning Associa

The fourth edition of The Osprey features stunning content and articles about the Caldor Fire, the local and fire fighter heroes who spared no effort to save the cabins and forest around Echo Lake.

The third edition of The Osprey explores Echo Lake’s rich community life, history, and environment. The lead story details a mysterious 1955 conflict between Boy Scouts and cabin owners, culminating in the dramatic overnight disappearance and recovery of the camp’s waterfront. Additional articles highlight alpine wildflowers, historical memories, cabin culture, recipes, and environmental efforts, reflecting resilience, tradition, and a deep connection to the lake.

The second edition of The Osprey celebrates Echo Lake’s natural beauty, history, and community. The lead story guides readers through late-season alpine wildflowers on the Mosquito Pass trail, highlighting diverse species and personal discovery. Other articles reflect on Scout camp experiences, wartime life at the Chalet, environmental stewardship, and family memories, emphasizing tradition, conservation, and a deep, enduring connection to Echo Lake.

The first edition of The Osprey introduces Echo Lake’s vibrant community and environmental mission. The lead story reflects on discovering a deeper connection to the lake through working at the Chalet, emphasizing community bonds. Other articles explore local history, family traditions, environmental stewardship, wildlife concerns, and alpine nature, establishing the publication’s goal of preserving Echo Lake’s culture, stories, and fragile ecosystem.