tseeb
Well-known member
I couldn't pass up the 10-20" with low snow levels predicted for today, but should have tried Highway 50 as the Carson Spur did not open until sometime between 3:30 and 4:30 this afternoon. We had some heavy rain in San Jose about 1 AM and again when we were getting ready to leave at 5 AM, but did not have much while driving. I knew the Carson Spur was closed, but expected it to open in the morning and did not want to drive the extra 60 miles and three passes when chain control on 50 started 4 miles past Placerville.
Chain control on 88 was low and manned, which is very rare when it is low. The person enforcing it asked where I was going and when I said I was hoping to get to Kirkwood, said that was the right attitude. When I asked if I should go the other way, he said everything was in bad shape. We got to Silver Lake, 5 miles before Kirkwood about 9:15, and joined the not very long line of cars waiting. We heard 2:30 pm, but were hoping for earlier. The weather alternated between almost sun and snow. I walked towards Kit Carson Lodge, which I think is now open in the winter, but the snow was too deep for my hiking shoes once I got past the last of about 10 tents where people were camping. I think I could hear their generator, but did not want to get my feet any wetter so I went back to the car where my son and his friend waited. At about 1 pm, the snow got really heavy and we decided that since it didn't open when the sun was out, there was not much hope and left. When I got home, about 11 hours after leaving, I saw Kirkwood claimed 16" overnight and at 3 pm 24-36" in the last 24 hours.
Chain control on 88 was low and manned, which is very rare when it is low. The person enforcing it asked where I was going and when I said I was hoping to get to Kirkwood, said that was the right attitude. When I asked if I should go the other way, he said everything was in bad shape. We got to Silver Lake, 5 miles before Kirkwood about 9:15, and joined the not very long line of cars waiting. We heard 2:30 pm, but were hoping for earlier. The weather alternated between almost sun and snow. I walked towards Kit Carson Lodge, which I think is now open in the winter, but the snow was too deep for my hiking shoes once I got past the last of about 10 tents where people were camping. I think I could hear their generator, but did not want to get my feet any wetter so I went back to the car where my son and his friend waited. At about 1 pm, the snow got really heavy and we decided that since it didn't open when the sun was out, there was not much hope and left. When I got home, about 11 hours after leaving, I saw Kirkwood claimed 16" overnight and at 3 pm 24-36" in the last 24 hours.
