Low-level snow lures visitors to Oakhurst as Highway 41 closes north of town

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Low-level snow is drawing a crowd in the Foothill communities.

"It's her first time. She's only four, so just thought we'd let her come see the snow," says Cameron Brown.

Brown brought his family up to Oakhurst from Fresno when he heard snow was falling as low as 2,000 feet.

"You see everybody stopping, making memories and stuff because they don't get to see it often," Brown says.

Dozens were able to enjoy the winter weather, for only a fraction of the usual travel time.

"Usually, we have to drive all the way up toward Bass. With cars, it's usually really hard to get up there, but this time it was much easier for us to come," he said.

Thursday's flurries quickly created dangerous driving conditions further north.

Snow-capped trees lined Highway 41 on all sides near Fish Camp, some even falling into the lanes.

The California Highway Patrol is stationing itself along Highway 41, just before Cedar Valley Drive, for chain enforcement.

Just a few miles up, all traffic was shut down along Wawona Road, blocking access to Yosemite Valley.

Caltrans crews worked to clear a path for drivers.

PG&E also reported a sizeable outage in the area, leaving at least 122 residents without power since early Thursday morning.

Back in Oakhurst, Keith Black rushed to gather tools for his rental property and was preparing for the next wave of weather.

"Dealing with a lot of snow out here, trying to get all the driveways ready for anyone checking in," says Black.

While also making sure his guests are equipped to enjoy the snow.

"It's really important to make sure the driveways are all cleared up for them, all salted, so they can get up to the house," he says. "The sleds are just to have some fun, you know."

The CHP is urging drivers to avoid Highway 41 north of Oakhurst until the storm passes. Meanwhile, residents in the area can check the PG&E website for the latest outage information.