Highway 395 open to Holbrook

Highway 395 was open through the Pine Nuts on Saturday, giving Topaz Ranch Estates residents a chance to obtain provisions before the next round of storms arrives on Monday.

Nevada Department of Transportation workers were stationed along the highway in case another blast of moisture sent debris from the Tamarack Fire back into the highway.

Water was still running on either side of the highway around lunchtime on Saturday, and down across Highland at Holbrook Junction.

“We’re here to keep you safe,” said one worker who was at the rest stop.

Compared to further south, Friday’s closure was barely a blip along the main route between Western Nevada and Southern California.

The highway has been closed south of Bridgeport for around two weeks, with closures extending north to Walker Canyon at times.

As of Saturday, the highway is closed from Bridgeport south to Lee Vining with chains or snow tires required between Lee Vining and Bishop.

There is no real detour around the closure, since Highway 338 between Bridgeport and Smith Valley is closed in Nevada, as is Highway 167 between Mono City and Hawthorne.

Even if someone made it to Highway 95, they would face a rockslide along Walker Lake. Highway 6 is also closed at the state line.

Highway 208 between Mason and Smith valleys is only open in the mornings and evenings and was closed on Friday night due to concerns about the wet weather.