Hwy 2 Closed at Vincent Gap

[Wrightwood]

Highway 2 is closed at Vincent Gap.

[Snowbird]

Due to a mudslide?

[Wrightwood]

It's my understanding that it is due to snow.

At a Winter Operations Meeting held on the 12th December Caltrans officials stated that due to the budget that they had to cut back plow operators for Wrightwood by 50%. That means that only 1 plow operator is assigned to Wrightwood and the ability to plow Hwy 2 beyond Big Pines will be greatly affected.

The Caltrans officials went on to say that I15 and SB Forest mountain communities has priority and in a worst case scenario all local Caltrans workers could be diverted to those areas leaving Wrightwood's Hwy 2 without any snow plowing for a period of time.  

[TableMtn]

I thought that Hwy 2 was always closed at Vincent Gap to Islip saddle in the winter?  I know there are 4-6 avalanche chutes in that area and it gets really icy.  If someone went over--they may not find them until spring  

[Wrightwood]

I was under the impression that it's not closed at winter until snowfall forces the closure the 1st time.

During the Winter Op's meeting ANF Captain Jeff Bradford discussed avalanche chutes as a primary reason for the closures between Vincent Gap and Islip.

What sounded like a change, due to the Caltrans cutback, was keeping the road open from Big Pines to Vincent Gap. They may have a tough time keeping it open if we get much snowfall.

[TableMtn]

Well, considering what happened over in Waterman Canyon, Hwy 18, and Devore, I can see why their priorities would be on that side.  

[Wrightwood]

Let's not forget Lytle Creek  

[Wrightwood]

Oh that's right, Caltrans probably isn't involved with Lytle Creek as it was SB County crews removing the rock / mud slide from the roads during the Christmas Day floods.

[Surfer_Dude]

Today

See the set here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brenizer/sets/72157605819025644/