Tough travels for those headed to snowy High Sierra

DONNER SUMMIT, Calif. (KGO) -- It's tough for anyone traveling to the High Sierra on Tuesday because of heavy snowfall and cold temperatures. There are chain controls mixed with road closures and accidents as the snow continues to come down.

This is the downside of a trip to the mountains at the height of a storm, though most people this early in the season seem to be taking it in stride.

For eastbound travelers on Interstate 80 headed to the High Sierra, the backup began well below the snow level at Dutch Flat, where Caltrans and the CHP were holding traffic due to the many spinouts on the slick roadway above.

"We are sitting and sitting and sitting and waiting and waiting and it's taking an awfully long time to get up here," San Jose resident Robin Vanderluit said.

The chain controls went up for the first time in a long time for many people. Those who didn't want to do it themselves hired one of the many chain installers lined up along the road.

"It was money well spent," Sacramento resident Laura Young said.

Of course, the hassle is worth it to many here, thanks to the prospect of spending a snowy Thanksgiving at the end of the road.

"It's been a while since we've seen the winter and we need the snow," Truckee resident Ashley Werbel said.

Another Truckee resident, Nick Sylva, said, "This is the beginning of what's supposed to be a really heavy season, so I'm looking forward to it."

Traffic is moving steadily now on eastbound 80 at Donner Summit. Be warned that snow levels are expected to drop overnight to under 3,000 feet so the chain controls will likely begin many miles down the road.

If you plan on hitting the slopes this season, tag your photos and videos on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with #abc7now.