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Snow Road, part 1
16 April 2021
Two years ago I pedaled across Yosemite National Park on Tioga Road after the snow had been cleared but before the road was fully opened for motorized traffic. Lassen Volcanic National Park, farther north in California, offers a similar "open to hiking and biking, closed to vehicles" experience while the main park road is gradually being cleared of snow in the spring.Consequently, this year I paid close attention to the progress of snow removal. With such a light snow year (relatively speaking), the clearing was underway earlier than usual and progressing faster than usual. The park website posted regular updates, making it easy to see where the road remained completely closed due to snow, where the road was completely cleared of snow and completely open, and where the road was cleared but only open to hikers and bikers. Fortunately, much of the road fell into the latter category.
Off I went on a Thursday afternoon, driving north for nearly four hours. On Friday morning I drove the last hour to the northern side of the park, into the park, then south on the park road. Soon I came to a gate with a big sign. Road closed. As anticipated, the adjacent parking lot was cleared of snow, and a couple of dozen vehicles were already there.
It didn't take long for me to gear up, saddle up, and start pedaling up.
Continue to Snow Road, Part 2 Old Grumble-Face, geared up and ready to ride up Lassen Peak Highway as far as I can.
Approximately 45° F at 10:00 AM at roughly 6200 feet of elevation.
No cars allowed!
Beyond this point, on the way up I encountered two hikers and zero bikers.
Still a little snow up there.
There he goes, a small hi-viz dot in the distance.
Much of California has experienced wild fires over the last few years, and Lassen is no exception.
More riding through the burn zone.
I hope the snow has healing properties.
As I pedal gradually uphill, the snow along the road becomes deeper.
In some places the road has not been completely cleared of snow.
Note tire marks from the snow removal crew.
Nearby parking and trailhead still closed.
Where does the cleared snow go?
Pile it up.
I'm gaining elevation, but I don't expect to reach that height.
Another view of the burn zone.
Did I mention the snow along the road is getting deeper?
There's the snow removal monster!
CalTrans (California Department of Transportation) is currently working from north to south while the national park crew works from south to north.
But nobody is working at all today.
Note to self. When this baby gets rolling, stay out of the way.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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