The Grapevine, Frazier Park, Cuddy Valley, Lockwood Valley, Mount Pinos, CA (Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.)—The Fort Tejon office of the California Highway Patrol has issued this advisory to snow play tourists. It has important tips for a fun visit to the Frazier Mountain Communities and Mount Pinos.

Driving and playing in inclement weather

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Fort Tejon Area is anticipating snow along
the Grapevine corridor and Frazier Park community. With the freezing
temperatures upon us, it is anticipated many visitors from the Bakersfield and Los
Angeles areas will travel to Frazier Park with hopes of sledding, building
snowmen, and playing in the snow. The CHP wants you to have fun in safe
manner. Here are a few tips for your trip.
The top of Mount Pinos can only accommodate approximately 75-100 vehicles.
Depending on snow levels, one or both of the snow gates could be closed. That
will limit parking on Mount Pinos Road.

Problems exist when motorists park on the uphill shoulders of Mount Pinos Road. Vehicles parked along both sides of the road can create a dangerous situation, preventing emergency vehicles from responding to an emergency incident.

More troubling, children should not play on the roadway, roadway shoulders, or between vehicles parked along the shoulder.

Mount Pinos is not the only snow play area in Frazier Park.

Please consider traveling to the Chuchupate Ranger Station on Lockwood Valley Road, which is south of Frazier Mountain Park Road. It can accommodate parking for
approximately 50-60 vehicles.

Please be courteous to each other, it is important to remember residents live up there too. Private driveways and pastures with barbed wire fences are not open to
the public. Generally, if it is fenced off, it is private property and you may be cited
for trespassing. Overall, treat the mountain as you would your own home. As a
visitor, we want you to have fun in a safe and clean environment. Remember to
leave the mountain as you found it.

Finally, have a plan and be prepared. Here are some traveling tips:
•Check roadway conditions. There is a large and sometimes overwhelming
amount of information regarding traffic conditions. Please call 1-800-GASROAD
or visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi for traffic conditions.

•For CHP traffic incidents information visit https://cad.chp.ca.gov .  Both resources can
be accessed through a smart phone, which can inform you of road closures or
highway related traffic conditions.

•Bring supplies, blankets, food, water, and trash bags. There is nothing more
disheartening than seeing a beautiful snow mountain littered with trash. If you
bring it, take it out with you when you leave; or find and use a trash receptacle.
•Have a full tank of gas. There are only so many places to get services on the
Grapevine. If the freeway closes, due to snowy conditions, you may have an
extended commute.

•Bring tire chains. It is sometimes necessary for motorists to have tire chains. The
types of chain control are:
Requirement One (Rl): Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required
on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel/ all-wheel drive vehicles.
Requirement Two (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all
vehicles except four wheel/ all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on
all four wheels.
(NOTE: Four wheel/all wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in
chain control areas.)
Requirement Three (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all
vehicles, no exceptions.

This is part of the January 22, 2016 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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