Eastern Sierra, CA—For those in love with the Sierra Nevada in winter, last week’s massive snowfall kicked off the Presidents’ Day Weekend, with a resounding blast from Mother Nature.
The High-Flying Space Jellyfish—Monday, February 10, at 6:09 p.m., the Falcon 9 rocket launch, SpaceX’s 18th launch since 2010, hits the skies, as it leaves from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. The Falcon 9 rocket was delivering 23 Starlink broadband satellites into a low orbit, and the Falcon 9 can be reused; as the two-stage rocket was a first in the world, as “reusable.” The “Space Jellyfish” is the result of the sun reflecting off the exhaust plume. And, it was quite a sight to see in the Eastern Sierra’s skies. Photo courtesy of Joe Lerille
A powerful AR (Atmospheric River; level 1-2) came into the Sierra Nevada, February 13-14, 2025, and Mammoth Mountain is sharing the news about the six feet of snow that fell in 36 hours. The heavy snowfall, faulty snow underneath, and wind loads on Lincoln Mountain (on Mammoth Mountain) sent two ski patrollers doing avalanche work on February 14, 2025, to the hospital. One patroller suffered serious injuries. Avalanche dangers remain very high in the backcountry (from Virginia Lakes, CA to Bishop Creek, CA). Seen here, Mt. Tom, in Round Valley (north of Bishop, CA), with a heavy, new coat of snowfall. Photo courtesy of Joe Lerille
Travel during the Valentine’s Week (February 13-14, 2025) was shut down north of Bishop, CA to the Nevada border at times, as visibility, icy roads, heavy snowfall, and blizzard/whiteout conditions kept snowplows busy into / through the week’s end. Like the winter days of the past, all travel up and down Sherwin Grade comes to a halt on US Highway 395 during heavy storms and snowfall. Keep chains in your vehicle, and pack a survival-type go-bag for the times when you will be stuck in a road closure situation, with hours of waiting/staying put until the weather is better. Be prepared at all times for survival mode when traveling during the winter months in the Sierra Nevada! Photos by The Hired Pen
Caltrans, District #9, had its hands full / snow plows ready with the Valentine’s Week storm of 2025. US Highway 395 was closed for parts of February 13-15, as one of this year’s most powerful storms pounded the Sierra Nevada, mountain range. Seen here, US 395 at the Gorge Road/ closure for northbound traffic.
Chain controls are common-place events in winter in the Sierra Nevada! Carry chains! NAPA Auto Parts- Steve’s Auto and Truck Parts, Main Street, Bishop, CA, is seen here in Round Valley, next to US Highway 395 / chain check point at the Gorge Road (north of Bishop) helping make winter travel safer for everyone. Be safe, slow down, and remember, four-wheel drive on icy roads means four-wheel slides, and sometimes followed by four-wheel ride rollovers! Drive safe for the conditions.
¡Enhorabuena!