Sno-Park area in Hope Valley

The California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division opened a new Sno-Park area on Oct. 19.

That Sno-Park area is located on the Blue Lakes Road in Hope Valley. It is two miles west of the junction of California S.R. 88 and S.R. 89 (Picketts Junction).

That new Sno-Park area will offer parking for snow-play, cross country skiing and a snowmobiles.

This park, along with the new Spicer Sno-Park on California S.R. 4 in Calaveras County and California S.R. 108 in Tuolumne County are the first new Sno-Parks to open in six years.

The California Sno-Park season officially lasts from Nov. 1 to May 30 each year.

In order to park in one of those parking areas, a vehicle must have a permit displayed on the dashboard.

A day permit cost $5 and is good at any Sno-Park on the date for which it is issued.

A season permit ($25) can be used at any Sno-Park during the entire winter season.

The permit fees pay for snow plowing and restrooms at each of the sites.

For information, call Jack Raudy at (916) 492-5309.