After Good Rain, It’s Snow Time in the Hills

Dan Geraldo and his 5-year-old son, Joshua, stepped back to study their frosty creation: three lumpy snowballs piled on top of each other, with scrawny twigs stuck in either side, and an inside-out knit cap haphazardly placed on top.

They tried to name it but something was missing. So with the help of some berries and small sticks from a nearby bush, they gave it a face. And then they gave it a name.

Happy, the snowman.

Geraldo and his son were among many Ventura County families who took advantage of a fleeting winter moment Saturday in the snow-blanketed mountains above Ojai. Snow from this week’s storm was plentiful enough for many a snowball fight, but was melting under the warm sun and cloudless sky.

“Today it’s half of what it was yesterday and by tomorrow it’ll be almost gone,” said Ojai resident Rich Brooks, who was cross-country skiing on a hiking trail at Pine Mountain summit. “It’s not that often you get this much snow--once a year if you’re lucky.”

About a foot and a half of snow fell in the Ventura County mountains since Wednesday afternoon from the same Pacific front that brought up to 8 inches of rain to lower altitudes over three days, weather officials said.

Bonnie Bartling, weather specialist with the National Weather Service, said cool temperatures--lows in the upper teens and highs in the mid-40s--along with partly cloudy skies today and Monday may help slow the melting.

“The less sun there is the longer it’s going to stay,” she said. “And it’ll be breezy which makes it seem cooler.”

All along California 33 on the way to Pine Mountain--where the majority of snow revelers congregated--families pulled off the road to build snowmen and toss snowballs at each other.

“It’s awesome--there have been no problems,” said Lance Cross of the National Forest Service, who was patrolling the area in anticipation of the snow-seekers. “Everyone seems to be really enjoying themselves.”

That was certainly the case for 2-year-old Lane Thompson, who seemed fascinated by the slippery white stuff. Saturday was the first time he had seen snow, said his dad, Mike Thompson of Oxnard.

“I think he likes the taste the most,” Thompson said, as Lane happily shoved a handful of snow into his face.

The snow was also a first for 5-year-old Danaca Maxwell, who frolicked with her sister Devan, 11, and 13-year-old brother, Dylan.

“I’ve never touched snow,” Danaca announced. “It’s cold.”

Dylan agreed. The temperature was wearing on him: “I can’t feel my toes.”

Across the street, dozens of thrill-seekers plunged down the hillside on cardboard boxes, skateboard decks, boogie boards and other makeshift sleds.

“It’s scary at first, but you get the hang of it,” said 10-year-old Caitlin Williams of Ventura. “The most exciting part is you can’t steer.”

Her uncle, Newbury Park resident Richard Williams, said he comes up every year after a good rain to enjoy the rare cold weather.

“We don’t get it very often,” he said, “that’s why it’s important to get as much out of it while you can.”

FYI

How to get there: Drive north on California 33, past Ojai and the Rose Valley Recreation Area. Pull over in any turnoff along the road or park at Pine Mountain summit, where there are hills for sledding and cross-country trails.