Bear Canisters Now Required for All Overnight Visitors in Desolation Wilderness
The USDA Forest Service’s Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) have enacted regulations mandating the use of hard-sided bear canisters in Desolation Wilderness. This rule, first introduced in 2022, is now extended by a 2024 order that requires bear-resistant containers in all other areas within the Lake Tahoe region. These regulations aim to protect both visitors and local wildlife by preventing bears from accessing human food.
According to Jack Haskel, Trail Information Manager for the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), these measures are crucial for maintaining the natural behavior of bears.
“Bear canisters work. These food storage requirements are a great step in the right direction for protecting hikers and bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” Haskel said. The PCTA encourages all hikers, whether on the Pacific Crest Trail or other trails, to carry canisters throughout the region.
The forest orders require all overnight visitors in Desolation Wilderness to use hard-sided bear canisters for securing food and garbage. In addition, the 2024 order mandates that any unattended human food within 100 feet must be stored in bear-resistant containers. The use of wildlife-resistant dumpsters and bear boxes is also required at National Forest campgrounds.
The increasing reliance of bears on human food has led to more aggressive behaviors and dangerous encounters. Improper storage and disposal of food attract bears, causing them to lose their natural fear of humans and sometimes leading to their euthanasia for public safety.
