With Interstate 80 closed, some travelers turned to Highway 50 Saturday to make it over the Sierra.
POLLOCK PINES, Calif. — Veronica Ramirez is excited to spend a few days in Reno, but not too excited about the snowy road to get there — Highway 50.
“We’re kind of scared but we’re excited,” said Ramirez as her family stopped to put on chains. “Everybody, be safe and drive carefully.”
With Interstate 80 closed, the Ramirez family took the gamble choosing 50 to get from Marysville to Reno this weekend — a trip booked before they knew there would be a blizzard.
“It just started snowing so we’re prepared, we got some chains,” said Ramirez. “My brother, he’s a truck driver so he’s helping everybody out there.”
Preparedness and having chains on hand were key for long haul trucker James Coley as well.
“When you get up on these passes, they’re a necessity,” said Coley as he put chains on his 18-wheeler for only the second time. “It’s dangerous out here.”
Caltrans is doing what it can to plow the roads and keep drivers safe. It’s not just on the highways where snow plows are busy, but also in the parking lot of a Safeway in Pollock Pines where plows were clearing the way Saturday as locals got their supplies.
“We came to Safeway last night, like at midnight and we got some snacks to put out at the house just in case,” said Pollock Pines shopper Maria Montes.
Meanwhile, at Andrew Daniel’s house, with the snow blower being repaired, it’s back to the old-fashioned way to clear his driveway by shovel.
“I tried to make it up (the driveway) twice and it didn’t make it up at all,” said Daniel. “I shouldn’t have left the house but you know, we had to pick up stuff.”
Andrew hopes that his regrets teach others a lesson.
“I’d say stay safe. It’s pretty cold out so if you’re going to go out, make sure your driveway is cleared,” said Daniel. “And don’t stay out too long.”
Watch more from ABC10: Sierra Blizzard Update: California Blizzard continues to dump snow in the Sierra
