Edhat Staff
By the edhat staff
While the hills and mountains above Santa Barbara have received a rare blanketing of snow, many residents grabbed boots and boogie boards to join in on the winter fun.
Sliding down a snowy hill is harmless fun, but local agencies are reminding motorists not to venture past road closures and not to attempt snow seeking without four-wheel drive.
“Road closures are not suggestions. Gibraltar Rd and E Camino Cielo sustained damage during the January storms, and are closed for the safety of the public. Do not move and drive around barricaded roads. [The Sheriff’s Office] will enforce road closures,” the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department posted on Twitter.
The Sheriff’s Office stated they have received numerous reports of people driving around barricades, vehicles becoming stuck on snowy roadways causing massive traffic pileups on small road, and the inevitable road rage incidents.
“Response times for assistance in this area is impacted and we request you avoid the area,” the Sheriff’s Office states.
If you do plan on traversing up into the hills, be courteous to other motorists, stay on open roads, and use four-wheel drive. As a reminder, the road closure list can be found here.
Photo: County of Santa Barbara Public Works
Photo: Los Padres National Forest
This is what happens when there are too many clowns out there – they blow it for the rest of us. Ideally, the sheriffs just let everyone go up there and fend for themselves, like it’s always been. But nowadays, some jackhole will undoubtedly run his car off the road and want to blame and sue someone else for his stupidity instead of taking responsibility. It’s the same issue with the Los Padres closures.
A bunch of fine, upstanding citizens who feel that laws should not apply to them if they want to do something.
This is actually what happens when they close a public forest, and public roads.
Can’t wait till they close the beach this summer because of a heat wave.
“A bunch of fine, upstanding citizens who feel that laws should not apply to them if they want to do something.”
Or, a bunch of fine, upstanding citizens who want to do something that is entirely reasonable and recognize the nanny state for what it is.
“Gibraltar Rd and E Camino Cielo sustained damage during the January storms, and are closed for the safety of the public. ”
But they closed those roads last time it snowed, even though they were not damaged at the time.
And your point is???
“Look son, an incredibly rare event, snow in Santa Barbara!”
“Daddy, can we go see it?”
“No son, nobody is allowed to go to the snow. I went to see it when I was your age, but now it is too dangerous. We could get stuck and somebody might have to help us push our car. Or our hands could get cold.”
Plenty of chances to go to snow without breaking the law if you’re that desperate. And the potential downsides are much more serious than you imply.
I would say that there are plenty of chances to have laws without being draconian about people without the means to jet over to a ski resort enjoying the snow.
Hey everyone, the road closures are NOT because there is a “nanny state”. That does exist sometimes, but not in this case. The roads are compromised from the insane amounts of rain our county has received. Trust it when they say the road isn’t safe. Lots of ways to enjoy the snow without breaking the law.
Dishonest explanations for the closures. I went up there on Saturday morning and did not pass any barriers coming up Painted Cave Road. But when I left I saw there was a barrier on East Camino Cielo for people entering that way.
Those road sections were in perfectly good condition and the roads were clear of snow and ice. Yes, there were many people up there, making for some slow going. And parking was a bit challenging. But there was nothing dangerous.
It is fair to put up warning signs that there will be traffic congestion and that parking is limited. But closing roads for an event that happens perhaps a few times in a lifetime? No. That is not nice. I am glad I got the experience without lawbreaking and feel that others should have that option, too.
My father lives in a community at the top of Gibraltar Rd. The folks up there can all tell you all, the main reason the roads are closed has nothing to do with the fact that it snowed (or was going to). It has almost everything to do with the huge (and continuing) boulder slides. They have to close to roads in advance of these areas so even if you don’t drive far enough in to see it does not mean there was not a good reason to keep the roads closed. Lots of people jumping to the wrong conclusions here.
Robert, that was exactly my experience too on Saturday. No signage whatsoever except at the intersection of Painted Cave Road and ECC where there was a road closure sign.
Not letting the kids be in the snow would be like that Ray Bradbury story about the planet that has constant rain except on an infrequent day. In that story bullies lock a poor kid in the closet so that he never gets to see sunshine that day, depriving him of experiencing the Sun for his entire life.
Great point, Shasta. Aside from the accident on the 154 (which was open), I have yet to hear of anything more than delays and irritations as a result of all the snow bound traffic. Not everyone in our town has a season pass to Mammoth (surprise surprise). Some kids and adults have never even touched snow. We have to let people explore and live some times. You’d be surprised how well adult humans can do things, even if they’re a little risky like driving in a couple inches (at most) of snow.
Super pathetic bunch of people here who feel so very entitled at the expense of everyone, and without an ounce of common sense.
For the people who have ‘never seen snow’ there are nearby ski resorts open every winter… You don’t have to wait for a sprinkling of flurries in Feb and then throw a personal pity party about your imaginary entitlement to drive on damaged roads.
Stay home, eat junk food, fart, and play video games it’s really ALL y’all are good for.
2:26 – “nearby ski resorts open every winter.” – what a tone deaf and condescending remark. I bet I can guess your zip code. Seriously, who are you to come in here insulting and speaking down to those who wanted to go check out such a rare opportunity?
“All y’all are good for?” – wow…. whatever that is we’re good for, I can assure you it’s much better than you.
The amount of snow that occasionally falls here is remarkably meh yet that doesn’t stop people from trying to parade along Camino Cielo. If you live in an area where snow is common this behavior is laughable. Decades ago before the County blocked the roads, it was a sh*tshow of bumper to bumper vehicles and alcohol fueled snowball attacks often resulting in raging tempers for drivers who elected to remain sober.
Lies by officials. That is the issue, SURFBUM. If they want to keep people from having fun in the snow, be honest. But don’t claim it is about safety.
When a local Sheriff’s office has had it with nitwits….LoL…..
Mono County Sheriff’s Office:
“The roads are closed. All of them. There is no alternate route, back way, or secret route. It’s a blizzard, people. You cannot see your hand in front of your face, let alone a snow stake to guide your way. Stay home. Or wherever you are if you aren’t home (and if you’re somewhere you shouldn’t be, you’ll have to sort that out with your significant other – we told you to make good choices).”