Reports of ground wasps on the Towle Mill trail at the end the rocky section close as you head back to Skillman Horse Camp. Be aware they are very aggressive and will repeatedly sting you, your dogs and your horses. If you encounter some, RUN. The faster you can leave their territory, the better. The Forest Service has been alerted so they can place their traps. This is not a great map, but it clearly shows the Towle trail and loop.
The Cool Moon Trail Races take place on our trails out of Cool. There are a 5K, 25M, 50M and 100M races, so the trails will be busy all weekend. Races begin and end at the Cool Staging Area, Gate #155.
100 MILE & 100 KM , 50 MILE & 25 MILE Start Time: 5:00 for 100 milers & 7:00 AM for 100KM, 50 Mile & 25 Mile Saturday August 11th, 2018 Cool Staging Area, Gate #155 13.5 MILE & 11.5 MILE Start Time: 7:00 AM on Sunday August 12th, 2018 at the Cool Staging Area, Gate #155 Start Time: 7:30 AM on Sunday August 12th, 2018 at the Cool Staging Area, Gate #155 Final Cutoff Time for all races is 5PM on Sunday, August 12th, 2018 at the Start/Finish Area If you aren't a participant in this event, you may want to use alternate trails. Go here for more information: https://www.coolmoontrailraces.com/home This is a large group of ground wasps located on the Dascombe Trail between Rock Creek Road and the intersection of the Harmony Trail. The bees are approximately 1 mile from the the Gold Country Equestrian Trailhead heading west.
DEALING WITH GROUND WASPS ON THE TRAILS. Allergic reactions to yellow jacket or bees stings may cause shock and life threatening conditions. Those with known allergies should carry sting treatment kits and be prepared to seek prompt medical attention if stung. A yellow jacket does not leave a stinger in its victim, so it can therefore sting multiple times. Companions of multiple-sting victims should watch the victim and be prepared for emergency medical response and evacuation. KEEP YOUR DOGS ON LEASH SO THEY DON'T DISTURB WASP NESTS. Dogs can die from multiple stings, too. In late summer and early fall when their populations peak, the yellow jackets' normal insect diet disappears and their feeding habits become a problem to park visitors. At that time of year, the yellow jacket has an appetite for the same food and drink as those consumed by humans. Also, yellow jacket stings can result in a life-threatening situation, if the person is allergic to yellow jacket venom. Persons highly sensitive to yellow jacket venom should always carry a sting treatment kit during outdoor activities. Nests are often located in a soil cavity such as an abandoned gopher hole, mouse nest, or hollow tree. Other possible nest sites are in buildings, including attics, porches, eaves, or sheds. Disturbing ground nests or trees can cause yellow jackets to attack. If you do disturb a yellow jacket nest, general guidelines are to slowly walk away with both hands covering the face to protect the more sensitive body areas. It is best to walk toward dense vegetation or enter a vehicle or building to avoid the stinging insects. Swift movements will only attract more yellow jackets. Horse riders should always be alert for yellow jackets and their nests, particularly in the late summer and fall. As a horse passes near a yellow jacket nest, it can shake the nest. Yellow jackets will then swarm out to defend the nest. If you are on a horse that is being attacked by yellow jackets, you will definitely want to promptly move out of the area as quickly as possible. RUN your horse as fast as possible away from the attacking wasps, yelling "BEES! This warns other trail users. Some horses might panic upon being stung and may start bucking and bolting. Use your knowledge of your horse's temperament and your best judgment to resolve the situation. August 3, 2018 - Desolation Wilderness Bear Activity Update from USFS Wilderness Ranger, Shannon Maguire. U.S. Forest Service - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
“I have been working in the Velma Lakes area for the past two weeks. While we have reports of bear activity in other parts of the Wilderness as well, this is first hand information on bear activity in the Velma Lake Basin. The bear is visiting Middle Velma Lake every evening, often multiple times, between the hours of 6pm-6am. It is going from campsite to campsite attempting to get food. The bear got at least one food hang down each night that we were in the field. While primarily searching for food at Middle Velma Lake, the bear also makes its way to the other Velmas, Dick’s and Fontanellis lakes. In camps with bear hangs, the bear has not been deterred by visitors banging pots and pans or yelling. It seems to be moving on from camps where it cannot get into properly locked bear canisters. When walking on all fours, the bear is approximately four feet tall and stocky. It is dark to light brown. It does not have distinct markings. No cubs have been seen. It is mostly getting into food hangs, but also finding food left in unattended packs, and has gotten into a bear can that was not locked properly. We have received multiple reports of similar bear activity at Gilmore Lake. We had the bear in our ranger camp near Upper Velma lake at 3am this morning and were very happy to have all our food in locked bear canisters!” For tips on staying safe in bear country, be sure to Know Before You Go at https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/bears. |
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