Gold Lake Road is Open
060811 The Sierra County Department of Transportation announces that
After a long and seemingly endless winter of near record snowfall, and all of the challenges that snow removal equipment brings, it looked like opening might be delayed until the end of June. Director of Transportation Tim Beals said, “I’m not sure when the road would have opened.” He was happy to receive an offer of assistance that came from the California Department of Transportation as well as the Plumas County Road Department.
In a typical springtime road opening, Plumas may reach the County line first, and continue on into
Steve Folsom, Maintenance Supervisor at the Caltrans Maintenance Station, Downieville, was able to arrange a no cost assistance agreement, and assigned operator Josh Behlke to operate the State’s snow-blower. Working with the County Road Department operators, the combined County-State equipment chewed through snow, chipped ice, and finally broke through to the County line, much to the delight of locals, business, travelers and lakes basin aficionados.
The Department of Transportation advises motorists to drive with caution as the snow banks are high, and the snowmelt will continue for quite some time, and could cause icy conditions. It should be noted that the trail enthusiasts will probably need snow shoes, skis, or snowmobiles for awhile yet and it may yet be months before the wildflowers bloom. As of today, most of the lakes along
