Snow doesn’t deter motorists, thrill seekers

984
Snow, Yukon Progress, Yukon Review
Daxton Nix and grandfather Zack Taylor enjoy a ride down Boot Hill in Chisholm Trail Park Thursday afternoon after the snow hit. (Photos by Mindy Ragan Wood)

By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer

The first snow of the season blanketed icy roads in Yukon and brought out die-hard sledders to the best slope in town.

Children with their grandparent, parents and even a young couple were slipping down Boot Hill in Chisholm Trail Park.

“It’s supposed to be the best place in town,” Jessica Farley said as her daughter and a friend made their way to the top of the hill.

Emilie Hechtner with her husband Matthew joined Trevor Harmon in square laundry baskets.

“It works pretty well,” Emilie said as she noted the sturdy carriage. “Not too bad. I think this laundry basket is 30 years old.”

For little Daxton Nix, the snow brought a new adventure with grandfather Zack Taylor.

“We got here about 20 minutes ago,” Taylor said. “He’s never seen the snow before.”

The wet snow packed down just enough for the sledders but was beginning to melt into a muddy mush. By noon roads were clear and looked more like a flowing stream than black

ice.
No major accidents were reported by Yukon police or fire department officials.

“I think we’re lucky school’s still out,” Police Chief John Corn said Thursday. “Nobody seems to be in the, ‘I have to get out’ mode, I think.”

Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Trumbly reported the only accident occurred on S. Cornwell Avenue Wednesday at 4 p.m., when the freezing rain started to fall.

“It was a minor accident,” he said Thursday. “A lot of people expect these accidents to be bad, but most people are driving more slowly so the impact isn’t as bad.”

Businesses were open but the parking lots were mostly empty as people were either at work or at home avoiding the slush and cold temperatures.

The weekend forecast was much less dismal with 40-degree weather predicted for Friday afternoon and the upper 50s with sunshine through the weekend.