Steve Thomas has been one of the park's snow plow operators since 1984. He is one of a number of National Park Service employees who keep part of Crater Lake's road system open during the long winter months. Like the other plow operators, he knows that a combination of factors render the road from Rim Village to Highway 138 impassable to automobiles when the snow flies.

Prevailing southwest winds can often reach gale force around the Watchman, which either can scour the road surface or obscure it completely with snow. Many winter storms produce accumulations of snow faster than any plow can keep up with it, especially in places where depths may reach 30 feet or more. The steep gradients around the Watchman and Hillman Peak are another factor identified by Steve as a barrier to keeping the road open. Traction is particularly poor where the road grade exceeds seven percent around the Watchman, a place where guard rails and retaining walls are either nonexistant or not high enough to accommodate winter automobile traffic.

Some groups treat the road closure during snow season as good news. Skiers use the road bed as their primary route between Rim Village and the North Junction. Snowmobiles are allowed only in the road corridor between Highway 138 and the North Junction. As a result, motorists can be assured that plow operators like Steve are doing their best to keep Highway 62 and the road to Rim Village open for visitors traveling by automobile.

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