I am glad to read your assesment of ‘09 as I was just a few miles north of you on Valentine weekend that winter and know what it was like that week. As I remember, the road through Emerald Bay was closed that month as well but possibly due to construction. This gives me a good comparison.
I found it a photographer’s paradise.
There is a big slide zone on the south side of Emerald Bay. Many years, although not the past few years, they would just close 89 on the west shore for the duration of the winter. Even if they could clear the road, they were afraid of slides taking out cars. There hasn’t been enough snow for a few years to worry. This year they may end up keeping it closed for a while again. It’s nice to see some snow again!