It is official. Highway One is closed at Alder Creek. PM 8, 2 miles south of Gorda. Rocks and mud coming from above. Nothing until morning, then I’ll bring you up-to-date as soon as I know.
7:09PM 1039 SLO W/LINES 40-42
7:04PM 1039 ENTAC REQ WE NOTIFY WHEN RDWAY IS ACTUALLY OPEN TO THRU TRAFF
6:57PM 2 MIS JSO GORDA / CALTRANS HAS OFFICIALLY CLOSED HWY 1
6:10PM 9-14 / CALTRANS STILL WORKING ON CLOSURE 3 MIS JSO GORDA

One of my neighbors called to report that there is an area on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. about 1/4 mile east from the summit which is narrowing, due to slide/slip out activity. I have reported this to Monterey County Communications, who reports there was a slide in this area yesterday, and that crews are working it and keeping an eye on it, and that the crew is either there or will be there to check on it this afternoon, and will continue their twice a day patrol of the road, which is still open at this time. Once the Chimney slide at Limekiln is open to traffic again at 6 pm this evening, any locals planning on using N-F Rd. as a means of getting to or from Monterey, need to be aware of this problem area, and continue to go slow and be extra cautious around the turns.

Also reports have confirmed that the power outage in Big Sur is also being experienced in Monterey. Unknown cause at this time.

CORRECTION – My neighbor called about South Coast Ridge Rd. not N-F Rd. but the county information is accurate.

1:30 pm – I am taking the rest of the day off from blogging, if possible, so I can catch up on my other job – the one that pays the bills for this one! Tomorrow, I have to make a trip to the Big Sur Post Office to track down a very important piece of certified mail, so will report on conditions from here to the River Inn, where I hope to have a locals lunch.

Openings planned for 10 am to 11 am; 2 pm to 3 pm; then again at 6 pm, which should be (if all goes as planned) open for the evening.

ODAY, CALTRANS PLANS TO REOPEN THE HWY. 1 AT LIMEKILN TO ESCORTED TRAFFIC FOR ONE HOUR AT BOTH 10 AM AND 2 PM AND THEN CONTINUOUSLY, INCLUDING OVERNIGHT HOURS, AT 6 PM THIS EVENING. Several tons of mud and rock have fallen on the roadway but crews/ contractors made excellent progress yesterday after the inclement weather passed. Motorists should remain very alert as conditions can change at any moment. Caltrans will issue another update tomorrow morning, Monday, March 28.

Also, you might be interested in these, taken yesterday afternoon at Lucia.

Looking at these, and with what I know of the road there, I believe this is at the south end of the parking area, but not sure, and the number one son never ids his stuff for me! (He’s been away from Big Sur a lot of years!)