LEBEC, FRAZIER PARK (Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, 4:30 p.m.)—Frazier Mountain Park Road was transformed into a 405 Freeway lookalike Saturday afternoon as thousands of snow play visitors from Los Angeles, Bakersfield and other areas began their return home.

California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies were highly visible in the morning, checking to see that visitors were property equipped with chains and observing parking laws. "’Monitor and enforce’ is our plan for the weekend," said Fort Tejon CHP office spokesperson Patrick Etchebarne. "We will have three extra officers on duty this weekend. If [motorists] are not properly equipped, they will not be able to proceed. If they park improperly, blocking traffic, they will be towed." At Lockwood Valley Road and Frazier Mountain Park Road (just before Cuddy Valley) CHP was telling nonresidents to turn around by 11 a.m.

Still, every patch of snow was a playground, and happy families were delighted to find a place where the wee ones could surf the white stuff and make a few snowballs."It was perfect!" one happy motorist exclaimed to this photographer as we both were stuck in traffic, he heading south back to Santa Clarita, we heading west back toward The Mountain Enterprise office in Frazier Park, "I have four grandchildren in the back and they think this is heaven," he said.

Owners of private property often saw events from the opposite side of the enthusiasm spectrum. Bob Mills reported there were over 400 uninvited snow play visitors on his land, despite fences and "no trespassing" signs. Other residents complained about the traffic and littering.

This is part of the January 22, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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