The great western toad migration is once again underway at Lost Lake, and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has closed the lake's access road, parking lot and events lawn for their protection.
The closures will be in effect until further notice.
The Lost Lake beach and beach lawn remain open, but could also be subject to closures if high numbers of toads start passing through the area.
All other Lost Lake trails remain open.
"We ask that residents and visitors watch for signage indicating 'active migration zones' and watch their step and walk bikes in these areas as 'toadlets' are no bigger than the size of a dime and can be easily crushed underfoot," reads an RMOW release.
"The RMOW's environmental technicians and volunteers are on site monitoring the situation and helping toads to safely cross the Valley Trail to forest areas."
The free Lost Lake Shuttle is still running, but visitors will now be dropped at the entrance to Lost Lake Road on Blackcomb Way.
Food trucks scheduled for Lost Lake are also cancelled during the access closure.
The toad migration is an annual event at Lost Lake, with tens of thousands of tiny western toads migrating from the beach area in Lost Lake Park to the surrounding forest areas every year.
The migration typically occurs between the end of July and end of August and takes two to four weeks.
At their busiest, an estimated 1,800 toads cross the beach trail every hour
"Weather conditions can significantly alter their behaviour, but the toadlets tend to be most active in crossing areas from 8 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. during the migration period." the release said.
Read more at www.whistler.ca/toads.
