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Los Angeles – More than 120 visitors and employees stranded by snow in a Sierra Nevada seaside town for five days were released, authorities said Friday. Alicia Embrey, spokesperson for the US Forest Service, said the snow had trapped guests and staff at Montecito Sequoia Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park.
Crews had to travel by snowmobile to the lodge in the mountains east of Fresno on Wednesday morning, when they ensured the safety of all. They returned Thursday with additional supplies, she said.
Heavy equipment and crews then cleared over 20 fallen trees and 8 km of heavy snow on the road leading to the pavilion to allow guests and staff to finally leave the property on Thursday night.
Although some people got bored during the snow, Embrey explained that the lodge had enough food, fuel and general supplies to keep everyone comfortable.
Joel Keeler / AP
"Physically, they were fine," said Embrey. "They were visibly happy to go home."
Joel Keeler posted several videos of his experience at the lodge on Twitter as of Tuesday, when the snow was still falling and guests were told that they still could not leave.
The next day, he wrote: "It is cold, beautiful and beautiful, but we are still snowy!"
"They work hard to clear the road … there is still a lot of alley!" he wrote.
On Thursday, he announced that the guests would finally return home, sharing a video of the clear pavement and a caravan of dozens of snow-covered vehicles sneaking past the huge snow banks.
The snow that trapped the guests began to fall on Friday, covering the area 4 to 7 feet from here Saturday night, Embrey added, adding that the lodge roads were closed on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, another winter storm is on the way to the region.
Meteorologists issued a winter storm warning for the southern Sierra Nevada from Friday afternoon, predicting more snow, high winds and potentially hazardous conditions, including falling trees and slippery roads. .
The Forest Service urged visitors to travel with extreme caution.
"The recent storm left very little room for maneuver and no place to put fresh snow," said Ned Kelleher, Chief Ranger of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, a statement.
He added: "The trees are laden with snow and ice and the accumulation of fresh snow will cause breakdowns."
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