WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO SNOW

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

• Be prepared for significant traffic delays in both directions due to both road conditions and the sheer volume of motorists. Prior snowfalls have left drivers in up to five-hour waits on the roads.
• You should have a full tank of gas. Don’t count on filling up along the way.
  

• Bring food and water in case of a long delay.
• Related bonus tip: don’t drink too much water because public restroom facilities are limited in the mountain areas.
• Find out if snow chains are required by the California Highway Patrol on certain roadways. You wouldn’t want to get up to the area, only to be turned away.
• Carry snow chains for your vehicle in case you need them. Conditions on the ground can change rapidly.
• Be prepared to put snow chains on your vehicle if the conditions warrant it.
• Before you go, check your snow chains to be sure they aren’t worn out or broken. Make sure you know how to put them on properly.

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Photo: Campo (Donna Yarnell)

• Check weather and road conditions before heading out and as often as you can do so safely as conditions can change from hour to hour.
• Chain controls, road condition updates and other safety advisories about County-maintained roads are posted on the Department of Public Work’s Facebook and Twitter. But again, be aware that conditions on the ground can change rapidly.
• Be aware that private property is off limits to the public for recreational snow activities.
• Pay attention to signs and fences marking private property.
• Parking is limited in the snowfall areas and parking violations will be enforced.
• Vehicles blocking roadways and private property will be towed.
• When parking, take care not to disturb plants, trees and shrubs.
• And lastly, all visitors to the area need to pack out any trash, if a receptacle is not available or is full.

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GOING TO THE SNOW? READ THIS FIRST (San Diego Sheriff)

SAN DIEGO'S MOUNTAINS AND GOLD RUSH REGION (Miriam Raftery)

MOUNT LAGUNA: A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS (Miriam Raftery)

SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S HISTORIC PLACES: JULIAN (Donald H. Harrison)

EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE'S MOUNTAINS SECTION (Index)

EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE'S EVENTS SECTION (Always up-to-date, index page, bookmark me!)