Storm Leads To Plenty Of White-Knuckle Moments For High Country Drivers

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EVERGREEN, Colo. (CBS4) - Driving conditions in Colorado's mountains were treacherous during the latter half of the day on Thursday, and two people wound up getting hurt in a pileup involving 20 of cars.

Teams of snowplows were working late into the night to try to keep the roads clear and ice-free as temperatures dipped into the single digits.

(credit: CBS)

Thursday's heavy snow in Colorado's higher elevations took even the most experienced high country drivers by surprise.

Brenda Carmona flew in to the state on Thursday from Los Angeles and was somehow making it smoothly through the Interstate 70 corridor in a small rental car.

"For some reason we're the only car that's still moving," she told CBS4. "Most cars are just stuck, their wheels are turning."

CBS4's Stan Bush interviews a driver in the mountains. (credit: CBS)

When traffic did move, it often led to accidents. The pileup took place near Floyd Hill and the Evergreen exit, and it led to a shutdown of the interstate that lasted for hours. The two people who were hurt haven't been identified.

(credit: CDOT)

Drivers trying to use alternate routes often experienced big delays, and there were many white-knuckle moments from behind the wheel.

"It's not easy no matter what you're driving, really," one driver told CBS4. "You've got to watch out for the other people that are out there and make sure that everything's under control."