The snow hasn't been the only concern on Highway 50 over Echo Summit and along the road to Strawberry. The behavior of motorists who park illegally on the road is becoming more of a safety issue and hazard.

For those that have driven this stretch, the situation isn't anything new though there has been a big increase in offenders.

Drivers are pulling over on the roadway, a state highway, to experience snow play, and those parking are not paying attention to "No Parking" signs or the dangerous situation they are causing.

"This is a constant problem we have to deal with daily," Ruthie Loehr of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) told South Tahoe Now. She said she and other officers have had to run people out of the Echo Snow Park, out of the break check area at the top of Echo across from Adventure Mountain, and out of the avalanche cannon parking area at the base of Echo. "It’s literally constant."

Many drivers have also been using the Caltrans Echo Summit materials yard which is an active maintenance area and cannot be used for parking.

She said many of those parking appear to be unwilling to pay to access USFS run Sno-Parks or the Adventure Mountain resort, or just not paying attention to what they're doing. Loehr said these are the worst offenders as they just stop on the road at the first sign of snow.

Travelers have not only had to contend with traffic, snow, spin-outs and collisions, but they are also dealing with vehicles improperly parked and blocking vehicle travels and snow plows.

"It’s a mess!" said Loehr.

Caltrans and the CHP are reminding motorists that parking on the shoulders of Highway 50 between Placerville and Echo Summit is prohibited year-round, and motorists who elect to do so are subject to a ticket and fine. Vehicles left along the shoulder also could be towed at the owner’s expense.

Besides the illegal parking issues, there is also an increase in littering and trespassing on local property, especially in areas around Sly Park Road, Strawberry and Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort.

"What really needs to happen is people simply doing the right thing,"added Officer Loehr. "Play at the snow parks where it’s safe, park in an area where you are well off the road and not interfering with day to day operations or that of locals coming and going from their homes."

She said more patrol would be the solution to the problem but she didn't think they have enough officers in their whole office to combat the problem.