The Kokanee Salmon are running at Taylor Creek
A strong Pacific storm rolled into the area last night dropping alot of rain and blowing wind to the Tahoe region. My son and I were looking for something fun and interesting to do besides watching videos all day and drinking cocoa like we were tempted to do. I remembered a friend telling me that this was the week that the Kokanee Salmon come back to Taylor Creek located at the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center at Taylor Creek, 3 miles north of the City of South Lake Tahoe on California Highway 89.
Although it was raining sideways and was maybe 45 degrees out, it was a beautiful setting that I have never visited in my 15 years of living in the area. Beautiful neon pink/red streaks splashed and jumped out of the creek, some desperately trying to swim up stream to spawn before the died.
We strolled the Rainbow Trail to the creek, eerily expecting to run into a bear. There are signs posted all over to be “Bear Aware” as they too come out to watch (and eat) the salmon. I guess today was too chilly for the Black Bears to come out, as we did not spot any.
At the end of the trail is a Stream Profile Chamber, where you can gain an underwater perspective of the salmon swimming alongside Rainbow Trout in a deep pond. Both fish are so beautiful, particularly the Kokanee with their bright pink color they take on when returning the the stream. The Rainbow Trout had very subtle reds and blues near their fin with beautiful spots on their olivey-brown body.
Despite the weather, this was a beautiful and mellow flat hike, perfect for doing with kids. Hurry though, the Kokanee probably won’t be there much longer.
Happy Tuesday!
Comment by Susan McCormick
sweet pics! sounds like a great field trip.
Posted on October 15, 2009 at 11:31 am