Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams are warning the public to not detour using Dog Valley Road or Henness Pass Road if Interstate 80 is closed during inclement weather. The route is often used by tourists or people unfamiliar with the High Sierra, and who are following GPS directions.
Since 2017 Washoe County Sheriff’s Office SAR teams have been called out to dozens of searches and rescues on these roads. The most recent being the night of Sunday, January 24, 2021.
Both Dog Valley Road and Henness Pass Road are two-lane dirt roads located north of Stampede Reservoir. The east-west roads connect California State Route 89 to Verdi, Nevada. In the summer months, the route offers beautiful scenery; however, in the winter it’s a different story. On the north side of the roads is a steep mountain downgrade. On the south side of the roads, a drainage ditch. Hard packed snow on the roads quickly turns to ice – causing drivers to slide off.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue’s 125 volunteers are on call 24 hours a day and are expected to respond immediately when called. Ninety-six percent (the national average) of all searches are resolved during the first eight hours, but some may last a week or more. The six teams that comprise the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit focus on saving life, not property. Those who are stranded on Dog Valley Road or Henness Pass Road can expect that their vehicle will remain on scene until it can be safely towed by the owner.
When driving in inclement weather be prepared:
- Leave enough time to safely reach your destination and plan your route to avoid snowy/icy areas and steep hills
- Check weather and road conditions by calling 511 in Nevada
- Wear weather appropriate clothing
- Maintain your car: check your battery, tire tread, windshield wipers, levels of no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir and your antifreeze
- Maintain a high fuel level in your gas tank—for EV drivers, plan your charging stations ahead of time
- Keep a basic winter travel kit in the car: pre-charged portable cell phone charger, chains, a flashlight, jumper cables, shovel, snowbrush, ice scraper, water, road flares and a blanket
- If you get stuck in snow, leave window slightly cracked for ventilation, and make sure vehicle exhaust system is clear of snow
