In the time of the original Road Warrior, Don Harlan, this spot was called “Jaguar Jump” after a car that did not make the turn, jumping off the highway and over the edge. More recently, it has been referred to as Polar Star, after a mine which is back behind this area a mile or two, accessed from a road further south of this point. It is a mine Rock Knocker took me to once. There is a creek crossing to get there, and during the winter, the caretaker can not get across the creek. We went during the dry time. It is a cinnabar mine.
These photos were taken yesterday afternoon by Caltrans when the slide was very active.
| Date: | Monday, December 27, 2021 |
| District: | 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties |
| Contact: | Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers |
| Phone: | (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HIGHWAY 1 CLOSED IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY FOLLOWING ROCKSLIDES |
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – Rockfall and debris in the roadway associated with an ongoing rain event has resulted in the closure of Highway 1 from the Elephant Seal Parking Lot north of San Simeon to south of Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County. The slide is located two miles south of Ragged Point at a location known as Polar Star.
There is currently no estimated time for reopening as maintenance/engineer teams are assessing the closure area this morning and will continue to work during daylight hours when it’s safe for crews to do so prior to any change of the closure parameters. Decisions on modifying the closure parameters will be determined by these field assessments. The cleanup effort could be impacted by additional rainfall in the area.
Barricades, cones as well as message and directional signs are in place at both ends of the closure to alert motorists traveling in the area.
My geologist husband informed me that cinnabar is mercury sulfide, the main ore of mercury.
Yes, indeed, cinnabar is mercury sulfide. The brilliant vermillion color of cinnabar-mercury sulfide is used to pigment rocks, carvings, and jewels scarlet red. Because of its brilliant red color cinnabar is associated with the alchemical philosopher’s stone and considered sacred to many cultures. At the other end of the spectrum, I believe mercury sulfide is toxic. I am sure geologists at the scene will assess. Amazing photos, Kate. Thank-you!
Polar star mine is up san carpoforo creek, that is schoolhose creek. There was an old one room school at the mouth of the creek.
great photos – thank you.
The road to get to the mine is further south across Hearst property. There is an unmarked gate to enter the road to get to it that we took years ago.
The polar star mine is up San Carpoforo creek, that is called schoolhouse creek. There was an old one room school house at the mouth of the creek. No cinnabar in school house creek.
There are dry stacked rocks supporting the highway just beyond this slide to the South. I’ve always been amazed that they have lasted this long. If we lose the road here, with Naci out, life could get interesting for my fellow South
Coasters!
I was home on leave from the army and I remember going with my dad to that accident, the jaguar was down in the bottom of the canyon.
Always special the knowledge you give!
alwa6
Thanks, Kate, for these Caltrans photos and your interesting backstory on exploring the area with Rock Knocker. Located the road and mine on google maps and a description of the mine on a mining site. As you know, there have been many mercury mines in SLO and Monterey counties. Most closed due to low profit, imo. Polar Star’s last record of production was in 1963. In the national forest to the north and east from there, are many geologic formations with the red colored dirt and cinnabar-looking rock. It would also be interesting to learn more about the old schoolhouse site Aaron Appel mentions. Hope the Jaguar Jump slide gets needed work done asap.
Can we consider it a silver lining that this may have reduced some of the tourist swarms?
Sending peace, love and health vibes! 🤗 ☮️
It looks like there’s more material to come down. I wouldn’t want to be there when it does.
Everyone please be safe out there!!! That road will forever keep Caltrans busy… prayers for all
Involved…
Now that I see where the slide is I do recognize it as Polar Star. The other place that I was thinking of where the motorcyclist went over is across the street from Tony Williams’s old house. Jim Krenkel came upon said motorcyclist & called 911 for help for him.