Travel on Apple Creek

John traveled safely down AC this morning at 7:30 a.m. He did not slide. However, he did say Mauney Cove was full of black ice and slippery! Claire

Wednesday Plowing

Larry will be here in early afternoon. He hopes the sun will make the ice slushy before he begins. He will go as high as the Roses and will get Camry Road. Claire Stoeckel

Plowing

After conversation with several neighbors who have had difficulty coming up the hill today, due to snow, I have called Larry. He will be here to plow the snow spots in the morning! We ran out of Salt, therefore, John has paid for additional salt from Ace Hardware. Thank you for your patience as we get through this week. Claire Stoeckel


715pm UPDATE from Bob Child - JUST DROVE UP
From the entrance to the Blue Roof, it's just plain slick, be it the slush, ice, snow, all of the above.  Tomorrow's plowing will help, but for now ONLY AWD or 4WD OR CHAINED TIRES will make it, methinks.  It was more slick coming up at 7p than it was going down at noon. I only go as far as Staymon Road, so can't comment beyond.  I came in behind a 2WD vehicle that within 100 yards started backing down as they couldn't make it even close to Chris's house.  DO NOT FOLLOW ANY VEHICLE CLOSELY BY ANY MEANS, not until the road is 'normal'.

ROAD UPDATE: Tuesday

11:30a Tuesday


Just got off the phone with Chris Martin...road still white and slippery, but he said it appears more people are negotiating the road with more ease.  I'm heading out to Asheville and won't be able to post my report til much later this afternoon...temps have been warmer up high and still much colder down low in the shade, but some areas may go above 32 today.  Warmer yet tomorrow with improving road conditions, so common sense will dictate. Gorgeous day, albeit white and chilled.  (Bob)

(click pic to enlarge)

3p ROAD UPDATE and MORE!

3pm MONDAY

Drove down about 11am and did so very slowly....road is very snow-covered, with last night's 2" of new snow covering what was plowed.  No one can ill afford to lose traction and begin sliding, so I crept all the way down.

Several cars are at ACA entrance on Mauney Cove Road...and Mauney Cove Road is snow covered still and requires care in itself.  Even the major highways, while clear where the sun shines, are snow/ice covered in the shade, except for single lanes...only the foolish speed anywhere in these conditions.

The return back up the mountain was the challenge.  In a 2010 Subaru Outback with 5 people and we began the crawl.  THERE IS NO DOUBT THE TRICKIEST AREA is from the Martin's house up to close to the Blue Roof.  Chris has been salting in front of his house which helped, but it's just slicker than the other parts.  Once you get above the Blue Roof, it's all shaded with less traffic and more snowy tracks, which is better than ice and compressed snow.  I held my breath getting up Staymon and was well pleased we crawled all the way up.  

Can't speak for Apple Creek Road beyond Staymon....bottom line is I got down and back up, but you have to have the right vehicle and use your best driving techniques.

bob

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According to Chris Martin, there was no lack of activity taking place near his house, from cars losing control trying to negotiate the road down and up.  He sent along a couple of videos and some pictures from his abode....yes, the road is as slick as it looks!  Thanks, Chris!

Christmas morning as snow started

2 cars heading up ~230p 12-27

in the thick of the snow

huddled, scared children...

"two down, one to go..."

one of our ACA Hallmark scenes

Apple Creek Road closer to the entrance

battle-scarred trees from mishaps

ROAD UPDATE

2:50pm MONDAY


Drove down about 11am and did so very slowly....road is very snow-covered, with last night's 2" of new snow covering what was plowed.  No one can ill afford to lose traction and begin sliding, so I crept all the way down.


Several cars are at ACA entrance on Mauney Cove Road...and Mauney Cove Road is snow covered still and requires care in itself.  Even the major highways, while clear where the sun shines, are snow/ice covered in the shade, except for single lanes...only the foolish speed anywhere in these conditions.


The return back up the mountain was the challenge.  In a 2010 Subaru Outback with 5 people and we began the crawl.  THERE IS NO DOUBT THE TRICKIEST AREA is from the Martin's house up to close to the Blue Roof.  Chris has been salting in front of his house which helped, but it's just slicker than the other parts.  Once you get above the Blue Roof, it's all shaded with less traffic and more snowy tracks, which is better than ice and compressed snow.  I held my breath getting up Staymon and was well pleased we crawled all the way up.  


Can't speak for Apple Creek Road beyond Staymon....bottom line is I got down and back up, but you have to have the right vehicle and use your best driving techniques.

MONDAY 8:25am

Boy, there must have been some kind of wind last night as I have snow all over the carport area.  Picked up another 1-2" snow last night, with my storm total reported to the NWS at 11.2".  Looks like we're basically done, though snow showers will continue on the TN border....just clear and doggone cold here (11 @ 7am).  Wind chills will be brutal today, and though Apple Creek Road was plowed/salted yesterday, with finishing up secondary roads today, assume the road is very dangerous and slick.  If you must travel, do so with the slowest of speed and utmost of caution.


I plan on making my way down, but it may not be until noonish.  As always, any and all reports welcome.  Good news is that this week there will be a decided warm up out of our arctic icebox, but there will be a chance for freezing rain Wednesday night.   More on that tomorrow.


8am pics.  Be well, stay warm!      Bob Child