I was on the mountain this morning to go grooming, but there is no place to park on the highway. There is only 1 lane open at Langdon Lake, ODOT has called in a tow order to tow at least a dozen vehicles/trailers that are hanging out in the highway. One of our drivers got towed a few years ago for this very situation and I had to go rescue him and drive him to Milton-Freewater to get his pickup back. They may want to put the word out that anyone who is a cabin owner at the lake, they may need to move their vehicles soon.
They are finally moving snow in the snow parks, Morning Creek is mostly clear but already full of snowmobilers. Spout Springs has not been plowed, really no place to park there. Woodland has been plowed and the rotary went through, but was filling up fast as snowmobilers were streaming up the mountain as I came down, and lots of cars as well that could be going up to sled or cross country ski. ODOT has not rotaried the highway, so it is narrow. BE CAREFUL. It is going to be very busy today.
I have 2 drivers on the mountain at their cabins, and they will be out checking trails to see if they need to groom.
Highway crossings are open, trails look choppy from what I could see, but not deep moguls. I will leave it up to the drivers on the mountain as to whether anything needs done today. Wind is blowing snow out of the trees and across the road as another storm front is coming tonight. It looks like a foot of new snow yesterday and last night. Should be some good powder riding for those who got parked.
I will be up tomorrow and see if I can park along the highway at Langdon Lake and walk into the groomer shed. We have run into this issue before this time of year trying to get to the groomer shed.
Thanks for your patience.
Jess Thompson TTF grooming chair