With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Wanna Build A Snowman In The Mountains? Here's How To Avoid Pricey Parking Tickets
Fresh-fallen snow blankets the desert foothills and forested mountains on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains near Wrightwood.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)
With fresh snow in the mountains, it can be tempting to pile into the car and go build a snowman. But be careful where you do it, because you can't just pull over anywhere and lie down to make a roadside snow angel.
That's because most of our local mountain highways are posting "no parking" during the winter to make room for snow plows.
It can be dangerous when drivers double park and let kids walk between cars or have snowball fights near the road.
"If there's a hillside nearby, they will take their plastic snowboards and come down the hill and actually go right out into the pavement," said Brendon Biggs, director of San Bernardino County Public Works.
Sponsored message
The fine for illegal parking on snow plow routes used to be just $17, but it has snowballed in recent years (yes, we went there). It's now $150.
Instead, Biggs says you should go to National Forest parking lots and other posted snow play areas well off the highways — and save your money for some piping hot cocoa.
Here's where to find more detailed recreation area maps:
Forest officials advise you call ahead to check on conditions for winter sports. These offices are open Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Los Angeles Gateway District | (818) 899-1900)
- San Gabriel Mountains National Monument | (626) 335-1251, Ext. 221
Be Prepared
To be safe, Biggs advise:
- Bring snow chains
- Have extra blankets, clothing, food and water in your vehicle in case you get stuck on a mountain road due to a rock slide, traffic crash or fallen tree.
Authorities say firefighters had to rescue 136 people who got stranded in about a foot of snow during a December 2014 storm in the San Bernardino Mountains. More people were stranded near Mount Baldy.
(
Courtesy of NBCLA.com
)
It's happened before, in2019, when dozens of cars were trapped on mountain roads outside of Big Bear, and in2005 when a storm created a logjam of some 200 vehicles on Highway 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Sponsored message
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
