• Taylor McCabe (left) and Katie Anderson from San Clemente enjoy their speedy ride down the snowy hill in Mt. Laguna.
    Taylor McCabe (left) and Katie Anderson from San Clemente enjoy their speedy ride down the snowy hill in Mt. Laguna. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Snow people popped up in the Mt. Laguna Recreation area in addition to the two-legged sledding type.
    Snow people popped up in the Mt. Laguna Recreation area in addition to the two-legged sledding type. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Sledders wore smooth, slippery paths down the hills, resulting in high speed fun.
    Sledders wore smooth, slippery paths down the hills, resulting in high speed fun. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A dog with a stick in its mouth chases after a father with a toddler skidding down the icy hill in Mt. Laguna.
    A dog with a stick in its mouth chases after a father with a toddler skidding down the icy hill in Mt. Laguna. Photo by Chris Stone
  • One sledder catches more air than he expected as he descends down the bumpy hill.
    One sledder catches more air than he expected as he descends down the bumpy hill. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Several snow people were built and adorned with pine branches, pine cones and carrots, of course.
    Several snow people were built and adorned with pine branches, pine cones and carrots, of course. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A sledder took flight on the rapid descent down the snowy hill in Mt. Laguna.
    A sledder took flight on the rapid descent down the snowy hill in Mt. Laguna. Photo by Chris Stone
  • The surfing/snow boarding technique usually lasted only seconds.
    The surfing/snow boarding technique usually lasted only seconds. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A youngster makes a sightless descent down the hill on a piece of plastic.
    A youngster makes a sightless descent down the hill on a piece of plastic. Photo by Chris Stone
  • An air mattress was one of the ingenious modes of transportation people used on Mt. Laguna.
    An air mattress was one of the ingenious modes of transportation people used on Mt. Laguna. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A young child goes airborne as the get lift thanks to a bump in the path.
    A young child goes airborne as the get lift thanks to a bump in the path. Photo by Chris Stone
  • The abundance of sunshine and warmer weather causes snow on the pine trees branches to begin to melt.
    The abundance of sunshine and warmer weather causes snow on the pine trees branches to begin to melt. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A young girl help pack up piles of snow in the back of a pickup for the road home.
    A young girl help pack up piles of snow in the back of a pickup for the road home. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A baby gets a taste of snow with the help of mom.
    A baby gets a taste of snow with the help of mom. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Children and adults took a midweek break between storms to enjoy the snow at Mt. Laguna.
    Children and adults took a midweek break between storms to enjoy the snow at Mt. Laguna. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Hundreds of people took a midweek break between storms to enjoy the snow at Mt. Laguna.
    Hundreds of people took a midweek break between storms to enjoy the snow at Mt. Laguna. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Snow plows were still busy two days after inches fell in the mountains on the weekend and Monday.
    Snow plows were still busy two days after inches fell in the mountains on the weekend and Monday. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Two recent storms added to the snow totals at Mt. Laguna, with more snow projected for Thursday night through Friday night.
    Two recent storms added to the snow totals at Mt. Laguna, with more snow projected for Thursday night through Friday night. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Two recent storms added to the snow totals at Mt. Laguna, with more snow projected for Thursday night through Friday night.
    Two recent storms added to the snow totals at Mt. Laguna, with more snow projected for Thursday night through Friday night. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Sightseers enjoyed the snowfall from two recent storms.
    Sightseers enjoyed the snowfall from two recent storms. Photo by Chris Stone
  • A lone snow person sits in a snowy field along Sunrise Highway.
    A lone snow person sits in a snowy field along Sunrise Highway. Photo by Chris Stone
  • Sunrise Highway was plowed clear in most areas, but there were still patches of snow on the road, requiring chains on tires throughout the winter wonderland.
    Sunrise Highway was plowed clear in most areas, but there were still patches of snow on the road, requiring chains on tires throughout the winter wonderland. Photo by Chris Stone

Credit San Diegans for ingenuity. Besides sleds, they brought blow-up mattresses, pool inflatables, Boogie Boards and sheets of plastic to ride the snow that blanketed areas above 4,000 feet Wednesday.

Taking advantage of a break between storms, drivers lined up along the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, creating at times a bit of a traffic jam.

But it seemed worth it for families who hit the snowy hills, and at time caught air thanks to bumps in the path.

Toddlers to senior citizens created speedy, smooth paths due to repeated runs. Some joyriders descended on their bellies. Others on their backs. And still others tried a surfing style, which ended in quick spills.

Screams of joy, cheering and dogs barking echoed through the recreation area. By early afternoon, parking spaces along the snowy landscape were hard to find.

Two storms dumped inches of snow over the weekend and Monday. San Diegans also got more than an inch of rain mixed with hail and some thunder.

Chains were required in the afternoon on Sunrise Highway. Thirteen miles down the highway, roads were closed to the public (not to local residents) because of snowy road conditions.

Mount Laguna weather was in the low to mid 40s on Wednesday and was expected to hit 43 on Thursday, but then dip down to only a high of 30 Friday with snow.

Rain and snow are expected Thursday night, through Friday and possibly into Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.

It is expected to be windy Thursday night with a southwest wind 25 to 30 mph. Gusts may reach as strong as 50 mph, the weather service says.

Long-range forecasts calls for a slight chance on snow again next Wednesday.