Highway 168 lane closure above Shaver Lake due to collapsed road

Kate Nemarich Image
Friday, March 17, 2023
Highway 168 lane closure above Shaver Lake due to collapsed road
A section of Highway 168 above Shaver Lake is down to one lane on Thursday after the storms caused part of the road to crumble.

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A section of Highway 168 above Shaver Lake is down to one lane on Thursday after the storms caused part of the road to crumble.

The owners of Hungry Hut in Shaver Lake are hoping with China Peak reopening on Friday, more people will stop in to eat.

The restaurant just reopened on Thursday after being forced to close down in late February due to heavy snow.

"We pretty much depend on the visitors who are going to China Peak or even visiting their cabins," said Bogumila Sdrcelccyk-Flynn, owner of the Hungry Hut.

Their wishes may come true as China Peak expects to be open for several more weeks due to the amount of snow.

"I would like to think at least April 23, so I'd like to think we'd go two weeks after that. We have been open in May in the past when we've had this kind of snow pack," explained Tim Cohee, the general manager of China Peak.

For those planning heading to China Peak this weekend, Cohee encourages carpooling.

"The lots are not as big as they were, there's no place to put the snow," said Cohee.

The area isn't completely in the clear as Highway 168 near Dalton Avenue is down to just one lane.

A section of the eastbound lane washed out taking down a power pole with it.

Southern California Edison secured the power pole, but crews on scene say work to repair the road is expected to start Friday.

Fresno County supervisor Nathan Magsig encouraging people to support businesses up in the area, but travel cautiously.

"Just be aware of your surroundings because sometimes these mountainsides can send a boulder or two down or you might see mud coming down and onto the roadway which does create some dangerous situations," Magsig said.

As you head out of Shaver towards Fresno, one lane is closed between Beal Fire Road and Tollhouse and Auberry.