Chilly Sierra Weather Scares Some Campers Away

SIERRA (CBS13) - It's a chilly start to the Memorial Day camping experience in the Sierra as chilly temperatures bring in some snow.

Mandy Claflin isn't lacking in layers. The camper, who can't stand the cold, was all bundled-up and coping by cozying up next to the fire.

"I'm a trooper, what can I say," said Claflin.

But, she was close to pulling the plug.

"Walked outside and there were giant snowflakes everywhere and I wanted to leave," said Claflin.

Claflin isn't the only one with second thoughts about spending the Memorial Day weekend out in the Sierra elements.

You take a look around a Sierra campground and see a lot of empty picnic benches. In fact, just one family was set up.

Almost all of the spots are reserved but it's just a question if anyone will show up.

"This is mid-Friday, we're the only ones here so I don't know, usually there's a few cars here already," said camper Pete Frost.

Frost thinks the cold may have kept some away, but not him.

He's prepared with ski pants and won't let light flurries get in the way of a good time, especially when you consider the conditions from a year ago.

"Last year there was snow everywhere and we didn't get some of the campgrounds open till the Fourth of July," said Marie Rose, California Land Management.