something returned to Tuolumne County. SNOW! And did it Ever.

I guess there were more than a few of us who were doing the “snow dance”, because we got more than a dusting. This was not a tease. And this wasn’t just “up the hill”. We Got Snow! The kind that transforms everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) overnight. The kind that brings Dodge Ridge back to life. The kind that reminds us that we really do have winters here. this is when that “Up the hill pride” kicks in and reminds us about who we are AND why we are who we are.

Yes, we got a lot of snow. A LOT OF SNOW. In fact this is the most snow that we have gotten in a 5 day period since 1970. But we had a really slow start this winter, and like good Californians I still heard a lot of “But thank god, because we need it!”. We always do.

Still, this changes the narrative of this year’s winter. Dodge Ridge will be running the lifts at full force. Restaurants will again fill up. Cabins will finally see lights on in the windows. Families from the valley and the Bay Area will load their cars, drive up Hwy 108, and experience something completely different from where they live. I know, I know, it’s not all roses, but the truth is… we need tourists and it is better late than never. Because this is not just about recreation. This is about some economic oxygen.

What Snow Means for Local Business

Winter tourism is not a luxury here. It is a pillar of our local economy.

When snow falls, it activates an entire chain of livelihood. The motels fill (TOT). Short term rentals get booked (TOT). Restaurants are alive, retail shops see foot traffic. Gas stations, grocery stores, coffee shops, and our favorite rental shop finally sees some action.

Every visitor who spends a night here contributes to the Transient Occupancy Tax. That tax flows back into county services. It helps fund so many things. It supports infrastructure. It contributes to public safety.

This is one of the few revenue streams that brings outside dollars into Tuolumne County. And we have just been reminded how fragile that stream can be. This slow winter showed us what happens when tourism stalls. Businesses struggled. Some have reduced hours. Some have closed permanently. Everyone felt the uncertainty.

Which makes this snowfall more than welcome. It is relief.

But it is also a moment to pay attention.

This Is When Leadership Matters Most

Moments like this give us a chance to observe how the county actually functions under pressure.

Are roads cleared efficiently… from what I have seen, considering it snowed all the way down to Columbia, it’ was alright for some and nonexistent for others. I mean, we all want our roads cleared first, right? But I did talk to a few who waited 5 to 6 days. Not great. This is also not mentioning the disaster on Dodge Ridge Rd.

Are visitors able to access our recreation areas safely? Mostly, yes. I will be the first to say some people should not come up the hill when it’s DUMPING. So I don’t blame the county for that. But again, there are pictures I have seen on Dodge Ridge Rd. that looked less than safe. Was this the county’s fault? Was this Dodge’s fault. Really doesn’t matter. It’s a moment we can learn from.

Are communications clear (I’ll get to that)? Again, yes. Pretty good. Our Sheriff was on it. Immediately asked people coming to visit to stay home and he shared his safety tips (Way to go Sheriff David Vasquez!). Are public services coordinated and responsive. I think so. We had warming centers ready to go, emergency services were prepared. (Thank you to all our firefighters, our law enforcement, our paramedics, and thank you OES!)

These are not abstract questions. These are real-time tests of leadership and preparation.

This is what I am watching. Not to criticize for the sake of criticizing. But to understand what is working and what is not. Because that is how we build something stronger. A functioning county does not just react to weather conditions. It prepares for them. It maximizes them. It protects the people who are using them.

This snowfall is an opportunity. Not just for local businesses. But for government accountability.

Here is my reality. I shoveled out early in the morning on February 17th to make it to the Board of Supervisors meeting. I was there at 8:45 am. They were closed. The meeting was cancelled.

I live at over 4,200 feet. We had more than a foot of snow on our road. But I knew I had somewhere to be, so I prepared the night before. I woke up early that morning. I gave myself plenty of time to shovel, warm up the truck and take it slow down the hill. This is common practice for those of us who live in District Three. We know what winter requires of us. As the Boy Scouts say, Be Prepared.

If I can do that, I expect my supervisor to do the same. Because preparedness is not just about showing up on an easy day. It is about showing up when conditions are difficult. It is about anticipating reality, not reacting to it after the fact.

If our leadership is not prepared at that basic level, it raises serious questions. Not just about a winter storm. But about larger challenges. Late winters. Emergencies. And yes, when I think about what’s coming this summer… possible catastrophic fire.

*No power, no internet, no phone. ~ Photo by Sarah McCaffrey*

I experienced something else firsthand this week. Day two, we lost power. Fortunately, we have a small generator. Our heat stayed on. Our water stayed hot. Our home was safe.

Then the internet went down. That was inconvenient, but manageable.

Then AT&T went down.

In our family, I have AT&T and my wife has Verizon. So we were still able to communicate. But each time another system failed, I had the same thought. “We are fortunate.”

Because many people do not have backup power. Many people rely entirely on a single cell service. Many people live alone. Many people are vulnerable.

What happens when someone cannot call for help? What happens when communication disappears entirely? What happens when power, internet, and cellular service all fail at the same time?

These are not theoretical questions. These are real conditions that happened this week.

What is my supervisor doing about that? Does he even know that this happens?

I saw my supervisor post on social media telling people to check on their neighbors. If you were able to get online, that is fine advice. But let’s be honest. on days like these, people who live above 4,000 feet already do that. We have always done that. That is how mountain communities survive. Leadership should not just repeat what the community already knows. But those without internet, phone and power? What systems are. in place beyond a social media post that will never reach those who need it most.

Leadership should be building systems that work when communication fails. When power fails. When conditions are at their worst. Where is that plan?

Because that is when leadership matters most.

People Come Here for Access… Not Barriers

This winter has also reminded us of something essential. People come here because this place is usually really accessible.

They come because within less than a couple hours, they can leave the valley floor and enter a completely different world. Snow covered trees. Cold air. Silence. Beauty. It is OUR public land. It belongs to everyone.

Which makes proposals like charging parking fees at Pinecrest Lake so ridiculous, but also concerning.

Pinecrest is not just a destination. It is a gateway. It is often the first experience families have with the Sierra. Charging people to park on free land that is meant to be shared with everyone sends the wrong message. It’s absurd. And it shows the lack of understanding of how our county works with the US Federal Forest Service AND on an economical level.

Tourism does not grow when access shrinks. This kind of thinking trades long term economic health for, what? District 3 survives on tourism. So why would our district leader deter tourism? It is the definition of short sighted governance. Risking millions of dollars of tax revenue that supports the entire county. Risking the livelihoods of the people who depend on tourism dollars to survive the fiscal year so that a single beach is less crowded. WHAT?! It’s maddening to try and understand the thinking.

We should be making it easier for people to come here. Not harder. Let’s be a little more creative.

The Decision That Still Looms, What is in store this Fire Season

Even as we celebrate this snowfall, there is a decision that cannot be ignored. Three of the five Board of Supervisors voted to defund CAL FIRE staffing at Mono Vista Station 56.

That contract ends in July. Right in the heart of fire season.

This is not a minor administrative change. It is a direct reduction in fire readiness at a time when wildfire risk continues to grow. I want to remind you, Mono Vista responded to over 1200 calls last year.

Visitors notice public safety. I had a conversation with a woman who lives in Fresno who visits when she can. She told me that’s one of her first concerns when visiting in the summer.

No matter what you have heard, insurance companies notice. They are definitely paying attention. A don’t begin to think that they won’t raise their rates every time we give them an opportunity. Again… what were they thinking?

Residents notice. Fire protection is not just about response. It is about confidence. It is about trust. And it is about leadership understanding what is truly at stake.

Snowfall does not erase that decision. If anything, it reminds us how quickly things can change here. Winter becomes summer. Snow melts and what comes is the fuel that we will have to manage. Preparation matters.

A Moment Worth Appreciating…
And Learning From

Today, we can celebrate. The storm has passed. We are mostly dug out. The lifts at Dodge are running. Businesses will breathe a little deeper. Families will return. The sounds of visitors are back and the magical silence of winter nights are here.

But we should also learn from this winter. We are reminded how vulnerable our economy can be. We saw how important accessibility is. We saw how critical public safety and preparation are.

Tuolumne County is an extraordinary place. In my opinion, it’s the best place on earth. People do not come here by accident. They visit the place we choose to make our home. They come because of what this place offers. Natural beauty. Our National Forest. Community. Authenticity. Our job is to protect those things.

Snow has returned. Winter is alive again (at least for now! It’s Tuolumne county, you don’t like the weather, just wait.).

Now let’s pay attention… and make sure we are building a county that is ready for whatever comes next.

Winter Really Showed Up