Hi No not to the summit , just getting back to the Portal after a supply run. I could see the hail on the road above the Coso rest stop and out east on the foothills , very cold air mass moving through . Up the Portal road the hail was 3-4 inches deep near Lone Pine Campground . Driving my normal speed when I got into the hail, I was able to watch the view to the south as the truck turned around and traveled up the road sideways then I was able to see down into Lone Pine Creek for awhile , this went on for about 1/4 mile road / dirt/ road . So if I had not grown up in snow country and driving on ice many times I would have most likely rolled into Lone Pine creek . It is still nerve racking not to turn the wheel away from the slide and not hitting the brakes. So the snow level yesterday was in the Portal and around 7 PM 34 degrees . Drive safe and bring a jacket. Thanks Doug
Maybe bring a horseshoe, too...
I remember many a times in Mizzou driving on iced bridges and black ice roads. Hit those and you see your speedometer go from 30 to 70 mph in a flash and you ask yourself, "What the?" Then you realize what is going on and just then the car goes in a "funny direction" and you "death grip" the steering wheel and pray for Divine Interventions as you scream expletives. You hold your breath, close your eyes...
Then, it's over. You look around. The car may be in the other direction other than the one you were traveling (if lucky, you did a 360°). You are still upright and the drink in your lap is still there (if upside down, you smell like beverage). You are breathing. There is no "warm feeling" or "funny smell" emanating from "certain areas of your body." And the best news is that NO ONE saw you lose control. Yeah, Buddy!
Doug, I am "laughing" right now (if there were only audio black boxes in cars/trucks to capture the "moment"), but I am glad you're safe. I don't think I would want to end up in Lone Pine Creek near the campground, either
Have fun.
