Newcomers Snow Survival Guide

If you are a newcomer to Grizzly Flats, one of your more immediate concerns (and if it's not, it oughta be) is probably the coming snow.  Newbies are definitely in for a surprise if they have not adequately prepared for Winter in Grizz.  Those of us who have lived here for a bit know good and well there is likely going to be a rash of "For Sale" signs growing up out of lawns in the Spring after the thaw (more of the signs than of hopeful sprouts since the deer don't usually eat the wood) from people deciding they've spent their first and last Winter "under snow."  It ain't for sissies, that's for sure.

Here are a few suggestions to make life a little bit easier:

As soon as you see the snow begin to fall, get your vehicle down to the end of your driveway. Not only does this give you a much better chance of being able to leave the next morning (or the next two months of mornings - plus you'll have a LOT less shoveling to do), but sometimes, if the snowplow gods are smiling on you, they will plows AWAY from your vehicle instead of towards  it, creating a 10 ft tall snow wall at the end of your driveway.  Don't kick the snow back out in the road.  That kind of pisses them off.

Mind you, be sure and allow enough room for the snow plow to pass (don't park IN the road), but get as close to the road as you reasonably can.

Plan extra time to hike through deep snow out to your vehicle and have faith that pretty much as soon as you get past the one lane bridge, weather conditions usually improve. Usually.

Grizzly Flats should NOT be attempted without a 4-wheel drive vehicle, good tires and chains during the winter. If the roads are slippery, be sure and stay off of Logan's Grade. (The split just past the one lane bridge)  Don't get the idea that you're a hot shot or you'll end up "off the grade" and "down the cliff."  Fortunately, it will probably be full of snow, so you won't likely die... right away, any how.

Keep a flashlight, gloves, warm clothes, water, flares and a first aid kit in your car.  Also make sure you have chains for your car in your car if you leave the mountain.  Snow accumulates quickly up here and a trip down to town could leave you stranded if a storm hits or intensifies while you're gone.

I fully recommend not scheduling doctor, dental or other appointments until after the thaw if you can do so.  I rescheduled one dental appointment 4 times last year because I was snowed in.

Have a corded phone in case the electricity goes out. As long as it doesn't have to be plugged into an electrical outlet, your regular corded phone (about $10 at WalMart) will continue to work even during an electrical outage (unless the phones go out as well).

Get a small ladder or step stool and a broom to keep by the door if your satellite dish is a bit out of reach.  You're going to lose signal when the dish covers with snow, so if you are an avid viewer, you're going be brushing that sucker off a lot.  I have heard (but not tried this) that you can put a white trash bag over the dish and spray it with Pam Nonstick Spray to cause the snow to slide off faster.  Someone might have been screwing with me when they told me that, so don't laugh at me.  I've also seen little lattice guards built around the dish.

The broom is also a good stabilizer when you're walking in the deep snow (like a ski pole).

Rock salt is useless for snow related issues.

Don't hang out under the trees after heavy snowfall or you might get avalanched.

If you have outside pets, be sure and tunnel from the top of the snow to the underneath of any out buildings.  One of my cats was missing for 3 weeks last year.  Turns out he was snowed in under the shed.  He survived, but he was pretty pissed off when he got out (and hungry).

Have an alternative source of heat (like a wood stove with at least a couple of cords of COVERED, seasoned wood) in case electricity is out or propane trucks can't get up the hill.  Your wood does you no good if it's buried under 5 feet of snow and you can't get to it.

Have nonperishable food items available.

Stock up on candles, a cook stove, canned "ready to eat" food (make sure you have a can opener), bottled water, paper plates and cups and other emergency items.  A generator is nice, but pricey.  If the power goes out, remember that any food you try to store outside in the snow is in jeopardy.  It makes quite a buffet for hungry animals.

DON'T put your snow shovel in a shed, garage or other place that MIGHT become inaccessible should the snow block the door.  Ditto your snow toys.  Sleds do kids no good if they are in a shed with the door snowed closed.

The weather up here works in cycles and we are in the last couple of years of intensity before it gears down again.  This year is rumored to be a very "wet winter," so plan for lots of snow and rain.  I have seen snow as early as October and as late as May.

Here's the proof.  This was October 26, 2004.

That's right.  Snow on the Halloween decorations.  (Awwww. I miss my Caprice that my son drove off the cliff just before the one lane bridge)  It happened again in 2008, so it's not all that unusual.

The high school buses are different from the elementary school and middle school buses up here.  Unlike the other two, the high school buses have the engine, and therefore, the bulk of the bus' weight, in the back of the vehicle, which causes them to fishtail more easily on slippery roads.  As a result, they do not come up the mountain if the roads are bad.

Pioneer and Mtn Creek still have buses run most times, but they may come late or may only pick up at "main" bus stops.  For me, if the bus can't navigate the roads, I'm not going to try.  Grizzly Pines Elementary School is always, always open.  If Mrs Kelley can get to the school, it opens.  The kids WILL play outside, so be sure and send snow pants, gloves, boots and hats.  The only time Grizzly Pines usually closes is if there is a prolonged electrical outage.  Parents will usually receive a phone call EARLY in the morning to inform them of school closures or changes due to weather.  Before Winter hits, please double check your emergency contact cards to make sure info is current in case children need to be dismissed early.

Count on at least 2 months of challenging travel and remember that Winter isn't finished until the snow hits the dogwood blooms. It'll look like it's done, then come back to visit again.

Don't worry.  By June, it should be all clear!

2006 Snow Photos
(Why aren't there snow pics for other years?  Because it looks the exact same EVERY year... lots)

Got other snow hints?
Send them to me and I'll add'em!