Snowy conditions affecting business, traffic along Highway 74
This latest storm created issues for drivers wanting to take the back way out of the Coachella Valley as Highway 74 was shut down for a period of time. It reopened before noon Thursday.
Flashing lights and flares mark a closed Highway 74 with some early morning commuters finding out, surprised by the snow closure.
“Now that I’m here in the desert, that’s why we moved out here. To get away from this weather, so yeah, very surprised,” Rian Gordon of Palm Desert, said.
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Once the sun rose, people began making the trek down the mountain, covered in snow like this car from Pinyon Crest…
“Welcome to life on the mountain. We get used to it. I have a shovel in the back of my seat in case I get stuck so, I have full tank of gas so I prepare for this,” David Parsons said.
Other drivers weren’t so prepared as icy road created many minor collisions Wednesday night, according to the California Highway Patrol forcing the closure. The slick roads made it tough for anyone without chains as snow plows did their work. That’s not stopping the Sugarloaf Cafe from opening up despite seeing car traffic come to a trickle.
“The business definitely really struggled with that, but we want to stay open for the community. You know when someone from Pinyon needs milk or water, we want to be able to be a backbone in that,” Iliana Rose, a waitress at the Sugarloaf Cafe, said.
That’s despite the empty chairs and unused silverware. Workers say they’re one of only two shops serving locals in the area and staying open is necessary.
“Just want to make sure everyone can be safe and comfortable in their homes while the storm is happening,” Rose said.
As for anyone having to go up the mountain for any snow storm, locals have this piece of advice.
“If you’re a lowlander, don’t go up, go around,” Parsons said.
