Winter Access

Is my vehicle ready for winter roads?

If your vehicle isn't equipped for snow-covered mountain roads, don't drive on them. An unprepared vehicle can block the road and impact all residents. Owners are responsible for ensuring they and their guests have appropriate vehicles, tires, chains, and driving skills for year-round conditions.

Even on a freshly plowed road you can still get stuck. Plowing leaves a thinner, packed layer of snow that is much easier to drive on but can be slick. We strongly recommend four-wheel drive with snow tires and cables or chains.

Come prepared to get stuck

Assume it will happen at some point and pack accordingly. Traction pads to put under your wheels, a shovel, and a sheet of plastic to lie on while installing chains will turn a miserable afternoon into a short delay.

Don't block the road

When the road is plowed, the snow has to go somewhere — typically to the sides. After a few plowing sessions the road gets noticeably narrower. If you block the road, no one can get in or out.

Try to arrive and leave in daylight

If you get into trouble during the day, someone usually comes along to help. After dark that is far less likely. It's harder to see, it's colder, and slightly wet snow becomes ice once the sun goes down — especially where the asphalt portion of the road is exposed.

Why isn't the road plowed down to the dirt?

Snow on the road is a good thing. The road and parking area are never plowed all the way to the dirt. Doing so would damage the road and cause premature melting of the snow and thawing of the dirt underneath, which leads to ruts and mud holes — people still get stuck, and it costs money to repair.

Can I salt the roads?

No. Do not salt gravel roads under any circumstances. Salting damages the road base, creates mud, and causes thousands of dollars in repair costs. The Association does not salt gravel roads.

The Winter Parking Lot

Winter vehicles typically appear in the lot around Thanksgiving and are removed in spring when properties become fully accessible by four-wheel drive. Space is extremely limited, and the whole system only works if everyone uses exactly one space.

The swap. Park your equipment in a spot at 90 degrees to the hillside. Drive your vehicle up, move your equipment out, and put your vehicle in that same spot. When you return, rinse and repeat. Each owner gets one spot — a trailer that takes up two stalls, or a truck parked somewhere else to make room for one, just moves the problem.

• Get in as tight to the hillside as you can, and stay as close to your neighbor as you can without risking damage
• No parallel parking along the berm
• Don't park in the turnaround area at the top — it's kept open for turning around
• Don't drive your vehicle past the turnaround area
• Never park on the north side — no-parking signs exist for space management
• No trailers stored over winter
• No automobiles stored over winter (except at the bottom of the road if absolutely necessary)
• It gets tight and icy — be careful and be patient as you jockey your vehicle around

Guests

Guests park below the Cottages, and you shuttle them up and down from there. Plan on it — there isn't space in the winter lot for guest vehicles.

Do not park near the Cottages back gate or on the apron at the bottom. Vehicles left in either spot can be cited or towed away.

Parking is for equipment in use, not storage

Some owners like to leave vehicles, UTVs, and snowmobiles in the lot long term. This makes plowing more difficult and prevents the occupied ground from being cleared. This space is for parking equipment that will be used, not stored. If you're only coming up once or twice for the season, use the Forest Service lot at the bottom instead.

Non-owners in the parking area

This is private property. If you encounter people who aren't owners, family, or guests of owners, please remind them of that and courteously invite them to enjoy the snow somewhere else.

Be patient, be helpful, be safe

Dealing with winter and snow is tough enough in the city, let alone in the mountains on dirt roads. A sudden heavy storm can undo the best planning and preparation. If that happens to you, do the best you can and have fun anyway. Help one another, be patient, go prepared, and don't take chances. Demonstrate courtesy, patience, and reasonableness toward fellow owners.