The Forest Service reports that visitors attempting to travel over-the-snow from Highway 50 to Highway 88 via the 25 mile long MET frequently become trapped behind a gate near Highway 88, or become stuck in the snow along the road. “Just last weekend multiple vehicles became stuck and visitors needed to be rescued,” said Anthony Scardina, Acting Amador District Ranger. “The recent fatality of a stranded motorist in southern Oregon emphasizes our need to be proactive to improve public safety.” The eastern section of the MET near Highway 88 is utilized in the winter as part of the Silver Bear snowmobile trail system and is already closed to wheeled over-the-snow travel. Scardina says wheeled vehicle over-the-snow travel damages the groomed trail and creates an additional safety risk when snowmobiles and motor vehicles travel on the same route. Approximately 20 miles of the MET, from Sly Park Road on the western Highway 50 end to the junction with Silver Fork Road, are open for wheeled motor vehicle over-the-snow travel. A snow berm will be placed on the MET at the Silver Fork junction so that vehicles cannot continue eastbound to Highway 88. From Highway 88, another snow berm will be constructed on the MET at the Iron Mountain Sno-Park to control westbound travel during the winter. Appropriate signing will also be installed. For further information contact the Amador Ranger District at (209) 295-4251 or the Placerville Ranger District at (530) 644-2324.