Snow players invade Wrightwood

[SkierBob]

People that come up to play in the snow and skate on Jackson Lake are a lot more uninformed than stupid.  They just do not know because they don't live with it until they come up here.  They don't know the danger of it. However, people that think they can invade private property to play in snow.. are truly stupid and just darn disrespectful.

Perhaps a new sign: " Danger, Danger do not skate on ice unless you're a lawyer."  Then, we'd really cull them out.  cheryl o7o

Perhaps "completely clueless' is a more PC way to put it. 

Being stupid, uniformed, or completely clueless never-the-less can get you killed.

[Highlander]

Hmmmm, I'm thinking "Natural Selection". I would like to see an idiot chewing off his own foot to escape the ice.....

[Leftfield]

I don't think it's the forest service job to protect the pubic.  Their job is to manage our natural resources.  Lawyers are to blame, stupid people should be allowed to cull themselves from the herd. The World would be a better place.  Instead we have stupid people breeding causing the decline of society.   

The stronger must dominate and not mate with the weaker, which would signify the sacrifice of its own higher nature. Only the born weakling can look upon this principle as cruel, and if he does so it is merely because he is of a feebler nature and narrower mind; for if such a law did not direct the process of evolution then the higher development of organic life would not be conceivable at all. Mein Kampf 

[tcaarabians]

I think you guys are all correct. (The Hitler quote made me laugh. Nice irony.)  Let me throw in one more quote: "Just when you think you're going to throw up if you have to repeat yourself one more time - is when they hear you." (Richard Nixon)    cheryl o7o

[SkierBob]

The punk rock band L7 sums it up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r5M2gZoc_0

I still get angry
 I still get sad
 And the losers
 Still drive me mad
 And I wonder
 If I have anything to say anymore
 Oh yea I wonder
 If I have anything to say

Except the masses
 Are asses
 Oh yea the masses
 Are asses
 They're all asses

Things still
 Piss me off
 And things
 Still make me cry
 Poetry's in motion not in mind
 Poetry's in motion but not in my mind
 Poetic justice will come in time
 And I just have to laugh
 I just have to laugh

Because the masses
 Are asses
 Oh yea the masses
 Are asses
 We're all asses

Let's rock

Poetry's in motion not in mind
 Poetry's in motion but not in my mind
 Poetic justice will come in time
 And I just have to laugh
 I just have to laugh

Because the masses
 Are asses
 Oh yea the masses
 Are asses

Oh yea the masses are asses
 Masses are asses

Masses are asses every day
 Masses are asses in every way
 Woo woo

[dustyduck]

As Forest Gump said

           "Stupid is as stupid does"     

[Jim Wilkins]

"Life is hard.  It's harder if you are stupid."

John Wayne

[Highlander]

I'm truly enjoying  & impressed with everyone's philosophical angles, quotes & metaphors! Please continue......

[Iris]

Haha SkierBob- L7!! Appropriate. Did you know they may be reuniting? I'm there if so!

[Danimal]

Due to the lack of intelligence and good judgement, let it be known, the rank of the general public has been reduced to corporal!

[Chuck]

AND, they are assigned to Latrine duties

[tcaarabians]

"Some people don't know their ass from a hole in the ice." (wish I knew who to cite for the paraphrase)
cheryl o7o

[Wrightwood]

Snow Play Craziness and Gridlock Nothing new in Wrightwood & Big Pines

1929-1930 Big Pines









I think it's safe to say that in the last 3 decades there's never been seventeen people at one time involved with traffic control.









1931 - 30,000 people in Big Pines







1978 - 1979 Traffic Issues










2003 Gridlock and snow play craziness










2005 Gridlock and snow play craziness

This year is by far the worst year for total gridlock and backups all the way to the I15.
There have been years where the traffic has backed up on Hwy2 into Wrightwood and once in a while to Hwy138 but not all the way to I15.

It's a combination of factors: The large increase in snow boarder attendance at Mountain High, recent fires have some forest areas closed, floods damage has much of SB Mountain areas closed, television remote news feeds and live cams have a huge influence, increased population in Southern California with SUV's being used for family outings is being overlooked by many, Sept 11 has caused people to stick closer to home for recreation and there's probably another half dozen factors I've missed.
















2007 Gridlock and snow play craziness





















2008 Gridlock and snow play craziness
























Jan 2009 Gridlock and snow play craziness


















Jan 2010 Gridlock and snow play craziness

























Notes on Jan 2, 2011 Winter Snow Issues in the Wrightwood-Big Pines area

It should be recognized that there's always going to be times when a number of unforeseen circumstances all line up and surpass available resources and expectations.

Here's a list of things that come to mind:

-New Years 2011 fell on a weekend
-Fresh snowfall at very low elevations
-I15 shut down
-Caltrans and County road crews were still doing major road repairs from 7 straight days of record rainfall from the week before
(San Bernardino County experienced more significant property damage from winter storms occurring since December 18 than any other county in the state, with damage currently estimated at $59,501,466)
-CHP Antelope Valley had significant accident issues on Hwy 138 due to ice/snow and limited resources for Big Pines/MH area
-CHP Inland Empire & CHP Victorville resources were tapped due to I15/215/Hwy 395 closures & escorts
-Setting chain control at the county line and turning vehicles around backed up traffic for miles.
-Lack of coordination between CHP Antelope Valley & Victorville
-Hwy 330 shut down for the winter season
-Lone Pine Canyon Rd at Sheep Creek wash closed due to storm debris flow
-Lone Pine Canyon Rd through Lone Pine Canyon closed from storm debris
-4 hour delay from MH parking lot to Hwy 138 caused by poor road conditions and I15 closure












2013 Gridlock and snow play craziness












2015 Gridlock and snow play craziness

[Wrightwood]

It's that time to request photos of the snow play craziness.
These photos and movies are used to help demonstrate the issues invloved to agency representatives.

Email to:
Please give date, time, location and description
webmaster@wrightwoodcalif.com

[Wrightwood]

With large crowds anticipated this weekend Caltrans was contacted today.

Question:
Do you know what the schedule is for opening Hwy 2 past Mt High as this weekend is anticipated to have a large number of snow players in the area.

When it's opened do you know how far it will go?
Inspiration Point, Grassy Hollow or Vincent Gap?

Answer:
The Cajon crew just opened it to Grassy Hollow at 1800 tonight.  A night crew will be working the area between Grassy Hollow and Vincent Gap.  The day crew will return tomorrow morning as well.  Our goal is to have it open all the way to Vincent Gap by mid-morning and no later than noon.  I feel confident with our plan and goal at this time.  Our goal is to always have it open by the weekend.

[AcornGuy]

I wonder if the dirty diaper ditcher was from San Bernardino. My wife had a loaded one left on top of her car last year in the parking lot when she came out of the building from work. HAH disgusting

[Wrightwood]

Jan 9 from 8:30am to 9:30am

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-yvrRjXAH6c?version=3&amp;autoplay=0" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/-yvrRjXAH6c?version=3&amp;autoplay=0</a>

[Wrightwood]

SB County Sheriff just made a sweep in the Pinon Mesa area and ran all snow players off (including Sheep Creek wash at Lone Pine)

[AcornGuy]

I hope to hear of Officers issuing littering citations this year.

[Chuck]

San Bernardino Sheriff Captain Herbert has assigned a full time deputy to be in Wrightwood the entire weekend to address issues we have with snow players on private property (other law issues too of course).  When, or if, you have an issue you should call Sheriff Dispatch at 760 245-4211 and they can promptly dispatch the officer (unless other serious issues happen at the same time).  CHP is of course up here too and their responsibilities involve traffic issues but they jointly help each other when needed.   
Addressing issues promptly is key to keeping it small before it gets too big.  Use of bullhorns has proven successful in addressing large crowds.
Mountain High and Mountain Hardware have paid for CHP presence at the 4 Way Stop Sign (it is not their responsibility but they do it because they are stand up people, Snow players are not Mountain Highs problem).  We all told Caltrans the 4 Way Stop Sign is a major issue during the winter months.
As we have discussed many times, closing roads is not an avenue for CHP.  Sacramento makes those calls.  They can manage roads temporarily doing what is needed for safety issues.  Heavy traffic alone not warrant closing roads.  They do not do it in other areas as some have reported,  just incorrect information.  If Safety issues occurred, they can act as needed.  Keeping roads open to locals is against the law (except in emergency situations-not traffic issues).     
CHP traffic issues can be addressed by calling 760 255-8750 (SB County side) or 911.