"...snow just a little, it scared the bejesus out of me..."

That is why is it either open or closed. No chain control, none of that stuff. CA drivers, for the most part, can not handle snow. So the CHP and CalTrans try not to give them a chance. Snow starts to stick, close the sucker. If you take a look, the on-ramps at Grapevine and Lake Hughes Road have gates on them. And the Chippies have a key to the lock. (I still do too, but don't tell anyone)...