🌟 Lake Tahoe Autumn Trip / Salmon Run 🌟

On Wednesday, 10/23, we decided on a whim to take a spontaneous trip to see the salmon run… 🚗💨 Even though we knew this year’s salmon numbers weren’t as high as last year’s, we still wanted to go for a walk and enjoy the autumn scenery at Lake Tahoe 🍁🏞️. There were fewer fish this year, but we still managed to see them up close—those beautiful red Kokanee salmon! 🐟❤️ These Kokanee salmon are born here, and in the fall, they return to their birthplace, their bodies turning vibrant red as they spawn. After fulfilling their life’s purpose—reproduction—they pass away, completing nature’s cycle of life. It’s such a moving and spectacular sight! 😢✨ The trail itself is also gorgeous, with white birch trees and clear blue skies, full of autumn vibes 🍂🌳. We heard that arriving early might increase our chances of spotting bears 🐻 foraging, but unfortunately, we didn’t see any this time 😔. Many people don’t realize that you need to cross Highway 89 and walk along the creek upstream for about 5 minutes to see the salmon 🚶‍♂️💦. The downstream area had no fish at all! Many visitors brought long-lens cameras for photography 📸, and some left disappointed. We ended up telling a few people to head upstream, where they eventually spotted fish 🐟… ducks 🦆… even crayfish 🦞… but still no bears 🐻😜. A few local hikers mentioned that the bears here aren’t aggressive toward humans—just don’t run away in panic or try to pet them 😃. 📍 Location: Visitor Center Road, CA-89, South Lake Tahoe, CA 🌟 The USDA Forest Service Taylor Creek Visitor Center is temporarily closed, but the parking lot 🅿️ is open and available for use. Restrooms 🚾 are also accessible. #WeekendGetaway #BayAreaWeekends #FamilyFriendly #TahoeTravelGuide #AutumnColors #SalmonRun #California #TahoeFood #LakeTahoe #CaliforniaTravel 🍂🐟👨‍👩‍👧‍👦📸