California park officials have shut vehicle access to a pristine swimming hole in Northern California due to an influx of visitors to the “hidden gem†that has become a popular photo backdrop on social media.
There are just 12 parking spots near Yankee Jim’s, a sliver of crystal clear water on the North Fork American River, about 35 miles west of Lake Tahoe, but last weekend California State Parks and Placer County authorities counted more than 300 vehicles parked near the rugged roads surrounding a one-way bridge overhead.
Some vehicles blocked entry and exit points to the area, causing an hours-long traffic jam as drivers tried to turn around, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook posting on Friday. Authorities said the scenic area has exploded in popularity thanks to social media postings.
“This presents a huge public safety danger, and cannot allow any first responder to access Yankee Jim’s in the event of any emergency or fire,†the statement said.
Read CBS SF Bay Area
