Roadways in and out of Lake Tahoe closed due to record snowfall

The California Highway Patrol is monitoring the closed roadways in and out of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The California Highway Patrol is monitoring the closed roadways in and out of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Photo credit California Highway Patrol Truckee Twitter

Looks like people trying to get in or out of the Lake Tahoe area are going to have to sit tight for a little while.

After this past weekend's heavy snowfall, roadways have been inundated with snow, downed trees and power lines, according to Caltrans.

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As of Monday morning, the I-80, SR-20 and SR-49 roadways were all closed while crews worked to get things in drivable conditions again.

But in the face of adversity, some drivers have been getting creative with their routes.

"We've seen a few of them, the only one I've seen successful that I ran into last night was a few from Orange County," said Officer Pete Mann with the California Highway Patrol's Truckee department.

They drove all the way up Highway 395, he said. "Pretty long journey that way but that’s the way they were able to get into the [Lake Tahoe] Basin."

For now, travelers should keep monitoring conditions, and only make moves to leave once it’s confirmed that the roads are clear.

"Otherwise you're going to find yourself on one side of the closure or the other, waiting a long time it to open," said Mann. "You don't want to spend 15 hours in Colfax trying to get up here."

And even when the roads do reopen, drivers should expect lengthy traffic holds.

"Caltrans has been fully staffed, doing their best to try to keep the roadway drivable but I will tell you it is very narrow right now," he said. "In most places where it's three lanes, it's down to one lane."

Featured Image Photo Credit: California Highway Patrol Truckee Twitter