I am not sure why this is such a surprise to everyone, or even up for dabate. It is not just plowing the road to keep it open, rather, there are boulders the size of VW bugs rolling off that hill during the closed period. All it is going to take is a bowling ball strike on a car or hiker, and at best there will be (another) million dollar lawsuit (everyone remember the guys in the summit hut circa 1990? that cost a pretty penny) At worst, there will be a fatality....and an even more expensive lawsuit.
I suppose that folks should start trying to drive on Tioga pass when it's closed, too?
"Why in the world doesn't the county realize the business the Mt Whitney attraction brings to the county? As long as the road is mostly dry, they should be maintaining and clearing debris from it during the winter, at least as high as the snow level."
See above -- the part about those pesky boulders in motion
"When they put the gate up last winter, there were a number of people who canceled their plans to come to Lone Pine and head up the road to hike in April and May. So Lone Pine businesses definitely lost some income."
See above -- the part where money goes when someone gets hurt...it is only a matter of time & $$$$$$$$$$$$$
