Bridgeport, CA. – The Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA) on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Ranger District will open for snowmobiling starting at midnight on Monday, Dec. 16.
Currently, the snow depth is approximately 36 inches up to 40 inches deep throughout most of the BWRA, which meets the minimum requirement of 24 inches that is needed to open the area. The People's Gate on California State Route 108 has 0-4 inches of snow with 28 to 36 inches at Sonora Pass beyond the Leavitt Lake turnoff.
The BWRA will experience a 40 percent chance of snow on Saturday, Dec. 14. On Sunday, Dec. 15 and opening day on Dec. 16, skies will be mostly sunny with daytime temperatures predicted in the low 30s and nighttime temperatures falling to single digits. U.S. Forest Service officials remind winter recreationists to prepare for the upcoming winter conditions by wearing warm clothing, have cold weather related emergency equipment/supplies and let someone know where you are going before you go. Be advised of creek crossings and obstacles, which are minimally covered at this time.
Permits are required for each person/snowmobile entering the BWRA. They are free and can be obtained at https://www.bridgeportavalanchecenter.org/. Permits are also available at the People’s Gate kiosk (self-issued); Bridgeport Ranger District (HC62, Bridgeport, California, M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.); and Carson Ranger District (536 S. Carson St., Carson City, Nevada, M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
To find out about BWRA weather, snow and avalanche conditions and FREE snowmobile-specific 2019 avalanche awareness clinics, please visit the Bridgeport Avalanche Center’s website at: https://www.bridgeportavalanchecenter.org/.
For more information, please contact Adrian Hunter, Bridgeport Ranger District’s Winter Over- Snow Vehicle (OSV) Lead, at (760) 932-5820 or adrian.hunter@usda.gov.
For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/htnf or participate in the conversation at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.