4:00 pm – Note from Danny Millsap: “Hey Kate , there’s some mix up about the name , we are calling it the Alder Creek slide now. I have as much help as I can get, that will fit in the area, to get the job done safely and as quick as possible. The message boards north and south say road work with delays / and from 6:00pm to 7:00am it will say road closed ahead and what ever the distance the message board is from the slide . We are letting traffic through every two hrs. from 7:00am to 5:30 pm, unless mother nature decides different .
Here are some up to date photos

(See attached file: Alder 9.jpg)(See attached file: alder 99.jpg)

Danny Millsap
Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor
Willow Springs Station , Big Sur
Office (805) 927-4243”

And here are those photos:

I wish I had either Danny or Rock Knocker here to tell me if that BIG boulder is the same one in the photo below, sitting up on the side of the slide zone … very well could be, it is large enough!

Thanks, Danny! You are THE MAN!

3:30 pm – ROAD UPDATE. Hard closure again tonight, it is just too unstable. Big Creek is cleared, thankfully, so only the one between Villa Creek and Alder Creek currently blocking the road. Cal-Trans is now calling this the Alder Creek Slide, so changed the title of this post. Will be reassessing the danger, bringing in a geologist, and making determinations Monday and Tuesday about next actions. Some up-to-the-minutes shots to post from Danny Millsap, shortly.

Here are a series of shots taken this morning by Rock Knocker. As a retired Cal-Trans worker from Willow Springs Station, trained by the legend, Don Harlan, he knows what is going on.

As with last night, I will publish immediately, but be adding new photos whenever the opportunity arises. All photos at Villa Slide, and all photos by Rock Knocker

Loading the truck

bring down the loose stuff.

This is the slip plane — where the material begins sliding down the face in the hill above, all of it looking to “come on down” – Newton’s Law, you know. That is one huge boulder in the middle of the on-going slide. Note the crack. Hopefully, this will crack open when it comes down.

Either wordpress just added a new feature, or I finally discovered it, but I like the “photo” look and caption, so will be converting to these, most of the time.

Here, at Villa Slide, note the rocks. An interesting geological formation has been revealed by the slide. You will note the almost horizontal layer of rock, butting up against an almost perpendicular layer, then into another almost horizontal layer. Does this indicate a fault line? I don’t know. But below is a closer look.

That drain is supposed to redirect the water coming down, horizontally under the road. Fortunately, it is not blocked and can still perform its duties.

These last two show the water coming out of the hill at Mud Creek, about a mile north of Villa Slide.

That’s it for the slide today. In a few hours, I will be writing the story and uploading the photos from The Legends of Big Sur series Thursday night at TreeBones resort. Also need to check weather reports, but as of last night, it was looking as if we are in the clear until Friday. Here’s hoping that is true, although Big Sur Valley reported 1/2 inch from last night’s storm. I haven’t even had the time to get to my rain gauge yet!

These are the photos taken at the various slides yesterday and today, particularly, Villa Slide, Lucia, and Big Creek. They are not finished slippin’ and slidin’ and puking. All 3 are extremely active, very dangerous, and potentially deadly at night. I’m not a meteorologist. I’m not a slide specialist. I am merely a gal who is growing old here in Big Sur, and after 25 years, the last 20 on the South Coast, I have seen a bit. I would not be out on this road after dark tonight or any night in the foreseeable future.

I am publishing this post unfinished, and will be adding more and more photographs through out the evening. I have photos from yesterday and today from Rock Knocker and Avis Latone is sending me some she took of Villa Slide this afternoon, as well.

These two are Avis’s photos from this afternoon. Compare to the ones Rock Knocker took yesterday and this morning. Cal-Trans is truly faced with a Sisyphus task! And they are up to it!

Bringing it down before it slides down!

So, from South to North — Villa Slide. These first few were taken yesterday, by Rock Knocker.
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Danny Millsap sent me a similar photo yesterday, but I did not quite understand what I was seeing, until Rock Knocker explained it. All these rocks came down from the top. They are not placed there by man, although that is what it looks like, they were placed there by Mother Nature in all her glory!

This one that follows is from today at Villa Slide, also by Rock Knocker:

Here is one from the Lucia slip out from yesterday, also by Rock Knocker:

Oh, and then there is “Paul’s Slide” the fourth area of concern. This one has been around for a long time. It is south of Lucia, but before Pitkin’s Curve. It is mostly mud, but hazardous none-the-less. This was taken yesterday by Rock Knocker:

Here are the ones Rock Knocker took today at Lucia:

This monster is going north, through the Lucia slip out to the slide JSO of Big Creek. You’ll see why, when we make our way north.

Now, we head to Big Creek and see what happened there today…LOTS

This is that monster that was coming through Lucia. It is a type of hammer. It is going to break up that rock.

Watching for the slides …

5:20 pm – I don’t care what NWS says, it is raining. My poncho is wet, my road is wet, and there are raindrops on my windows. It has been varying from a slight drizzle to a substantial, but not heavy rain. My concern, of course, is the road below. ANY rain is going to close Villa and Big Creek again tonight. Cal-Trans is re-enacting the Greek Myth of Sisyphus.

4:30 pm – Major Hail just hit. I’ve been watching the blackening clouds. It was interesting just before the hail hit. Rock Knocker was looking out the glass door to the north, and I was looking out the glass door to the south and east. He yelled, “Come look at this, it is raining north!” I said, come look at this, it is black to the south east.” We changed positions, and when he saw the blackness to the south east, he said, “Holy sh** it is heading right to us.” Sure enough, in less than 5 minutes, the hail hit. Lightning strikes reported in SLO, but the radar shows SoCal is really being hit with this one.

I am uploading photos to my computer of the slides, taken yesterday and today. Will post separately as soon as I have sorted through the 500 photos Rock Knocker just dumped on me. So I will have 2 simultaneous posts going on this evening – weather and slide reports. Oh, my!

1:30 pm – CHP is advising the road is closed, per their website.

10:30 am – CT is escorting vehicles through the slide near Gamboa Point, per CHP. Unknown how long the wait. One local reported waiting at the Villa slide yesterday for 2 hours. Another local reported this: “BIG slide last night south of Big creek driveway and north of Cirlce M ranch.We had to go back to town and down thru Liggett to get home.”

8:30 am – the CHP still has no ETO for the opening of the road.

7:00 am – As of midnight last night, the CHP reports the rock slide to the north of us at mile marker 26, which is just south of Gamboa Point. This is where the construction is going on and has been going on for quite some time. CHP arrived on the scene about 12:47 this am.

The second slide is at mile marker 7, just north of the construction at Shale Point. This is the one I, and Danny Millsap (on his images names), refer to as Villa Slide. Currently, the only way out is up over Nacemiento-Fergusson Rd. through Ft. Hunter Liggett, if there are no slides on that road. I have not heard. Hopefully the slide near Gamboa Point will get cleared today.

No rain here last night, thank goodness.

I will report throughout the day, as information becomes available, and this afternoon, more shots of the slide to the south. If I am lucky, I will get photos of the one at Gamboa Point, also.

11:30 pm – Comment below if you have additional information not already posted here or in the comment section. Thank you and good night, all.

10:00 pm – people ARE trapped, as Stacy mentions in the comments below, people came back to Lucia, due to a rock slide near Big Creek. At least they are feeling trapped, because there is still N-F Rd. however, I can understand unfamiliar travelers not wanting to venture up THAT road in the dark. Could be slides there as well. The Big Creek rock slide is not being reported on the CHP website, however. CHP told Stan Russell that they cannot get to the area “because the shoulders were washed out.” Cal-Trans hopes to get this cleared tomorrow. Thanks Stacy for the explanation!

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, bigsurkate will be going off-line at some point tonight, so if you have anything to report, please post in the comments below, as Stacy and Suzi did, and share information with each other. Make sure to read the comments, if you are at this blog after about midnight tonight (I will be turning into a pumpkin about then) to see if there is anything recently reported, make sure to read the comments. I’ll be back in the morning, collecting and distilling information for those of you who are following this Highway One liquification.

9:00 pm – CHP has again listed this slide on their website. It also indicates that about 20 people are trapped in the area, and are calling for an update. The “trapped” is hard to understand, as there are no reported slides on Nasty-Fergesson, that I am aware of, and CHP doesn’t list any other slides to the north. But, there it is.

5:30 pm – it’s official, the road will remain closed overnight, and possibly through Sunday. I will update throughout the weekend to keep you all informed. More photos of the slide, courtesy of Rock Knocker will be posted tomorrow!

4:00 pm – the Villa Slide is no longer on the CHP website, but the road is still closed between Ragged Point and Gorda. More photos tomorrow. I just spoke to the Rock Knocker, retired Cal-Trans, who just now got through Villa Slide and he says CT is working it, they have one lane open, but are only letting cars go through every now and then. What that translates to is that the slide is still very active, and CT has to wait for breaks in the sliding to let people through for safety reasons.

Also, on the storm front, the storm predicted for this evening into Saturday looks to be staying off the coast, so if we do get any rain out of it, it should be light. The next storm due in Sunday thru Monday also looks light, as does the one mid-week. The next larger storm will be later in the week.

1:00 pm – Road update – per the CHP website, it would appear to still be closed.

BOTH LANES CLOSED BY A ROCK AND MUDSLIDE SOUTH OF GORDA AT MM 7, (that puts it near Villa Creek, north of Gorda Mtn.) ACROSS BOTH LANES. HIGHWAY ONE CLOSED AT WILLOW SPRINGS STATION AND AT RAGGED POINT. HOPING TO HAVE ONE LANE OPEN BY NOON, AND BOTH LANES BY TONIGHT.

And just in case anyone thinks they might be able to get through — think again. Here it is this morning: Photo by Danny Millsap, Maintenance Supervisor, Willow Springs Station.

That is the fog line on the SOUTH bound lane peeking through.

One can see Villa Creek to the north in the background here.

And here is our wonderful Cal-Trans crews workin’ it! You go, guys and gal!

Editor’s Note: There was a slide here earlier this winter. This slide happened last night, about 11 pm, according to the CHP. Another source places the slide event before 10 pm.

Also, on the storm front for tonight, NOAA posts this: “THE MODELS BRING THE UPPER SOUTH ALONG 130 WEST BEFORE SWINGING IT INLAND ON SATURDAY SOUTH OF PT CONCEPTION. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE 12Z NAM12 DEVELOPS A DEFORMATION ZONE WITH 2 INCHES OF RAIN…ONLY ALONG THE SANTA LUCIAS…AND THAT`S IT.”

The Santa Lucia’s, that’s us here in Big Sur, so we will all be watching this one closely.

My report from last night’s event is postponed due to slide activity and storm watch. Hopefully, by Sunday which is supposed to be a clear day!

9:30 pm – ROAD UPDATE: AS OF 15 MINUTES AGO, A LARGE ROCK IS IN THE NB LANE, JNO BIXBY BRIDGE.

Darn, snow down to 2500 ft, which means my place. Still in town, but home tomorrow, so maybe I’ll be able to see it!

Also, sent an hour ago, Dave Allen’s report on the storm and highway:

4 pm – and it is raining again. More coming, too!

2 pm – I am in town, getting my Jeep smogged. (It passed!) Hydoplaned on Highway One, just south of Castroville, due to flooding about an hour ago, but now there are bright blue skies amid the clouds. This report from Dave Allen:

“The road was ok for my commute this morning. There were still some dangerous rocks on road around Garrapate-Highlands. Mud and moving stuff also at Grey Slip and Pitkins. CALTRANS really pn top of it as usual. HEAVY, HEAVY downpour with front passage around 10:30.
Talked with Keith Harlan around noon, and he got through the slides ok…he said there was a lot of mud around Pitkin’s, but road hanging open.”

As of 2 pm, NOAA discussion had this to say: “THE UPPER LOW WILL SWING THROUGH THE DISTRICT LATE THIS AFTN AND
EVENING ACCOMPANIED BY SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. SOME OF THE SHOWERS COULD HAVE BRIEF HEAVY RAIN AS WELL AS SMALL HAIL. THERE COULD BE UP TO AN INCH OF SNOW ON THE BAY AREA PEAKS WITH THE SNOW LEVEL DROPPING TO 2500 FEET AT TIMES. THERE COULD BE A COUPLE OF INCHES ABOVE 3500 FEET…IT WOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE TO SEE SNOW ON THE PEAKS AT SUNRISE. AS THE LOW DROPS TO THE SOUTHEAST OF THE DISTRICT SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF RAPIDLY LATER THIS EVENING.

Debbie Reed reports 1 and 1/2 inches by 10:30 this morning at the Grange.

Be safe, everyone, if you must be out and about, particularly on Highway One.

8:30 am – And another one, coming through. Pouring in Monterey, at the moment. More throughout the day.

3:30 pm – well that was an interesting storm. It split, and north of Andrew Molera was a torrential mess, and south, near the county line, but Big Sur Valley stayed relatively dry. Good, as they are at saturation point, now.

NOON – ROCK AND MUDSLIDE AT SPINDRIFT IN THE HIGHLANDS BLOCKING THE NB LANE. CAL-TRANS WORKING ON IT, AND SHOULD BE OPEN SHORTLY.

Raining quite a bit in town, per sources. Not so much in Big Sur. Will keep an eye on everything, but all predictions seem to indicate this is a relatively fast one, with another slower one behind it. “NEXT SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO MOVE IN LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY WEDNESDAY. ANOTHER ROUND OF PRECIP WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH MUCH COLDER AIR ALOFT. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS AND SMALL HAIL WILL BE POSSIBLE.”
Here, the NexRad shows how Big Sur is right in between the rain. Light rain on my mountain, though. Joshua Canyon (near Garrappata) reports 1.3 inches for this storm.

This is my “unofficial” report of Highway One. I am only an observer, not a slide specialist or highway worker, just a local traveler. Highway One is open. Road conditions seem pretty good, considering the weather we have been having. Conditions from Lucia north are good, with construction still going on at Gamboa Point managed with a traffic signal. Cal-Trans was working on the road at River Inn, with flaggers for traffic control just before noon. South of Lucia is a different matter. There is a relatively new moon-shaped crack in the SB lane, between Lucia and the existing closure of the SB lane at Lucia Rd., which is managed by stop signs and K-rail. This new crack could stay like that for weeks, or could start to give way in the next storm. There is no way for me to predict, but knowing Cal-Trans they are watching it closely. Right now, it is causing no additional problems.

Between the existing lane closure at Lucia and Rain Rocks, there is evidence of active slides being scooped away and small rocks in the road. It is clearly an active area that bears watching, but nothing significant during daylight hours. After dark, and during a rain storm, these areas could create problems.

I did not go south of Gorda, so don’t have a clue as to how that is holding up.

Around 5 pm this evening.

Taken about 4 pm this afternoon.

10 pm – and to end today’s storm report, I have a couple great shots of the waves taken at Garrapata today by Cameron Douglas. Thank you Cameron!

5:00 pm – my north coast sources say there were two separate incidences of road closures, but the road opened about 4 pm. Both involved trees and/or power lines, both south of Fernwood. I am informed that the State Park does not have power. Uh oh, I hope that is resolved quickly, as the Chanterelle Festival is going on there, even as I type! The grange has power. Debbie reports another 1/2 inch in her gauge. I got another 1/4 inch after I dumped my gauge this morning at 4 inches. That’s 4.25 for the storm, 54.25 for the season.

3:10 pm – Current Nexrad. Those cells in Salinas are moving southward, directly toward Big Sur. If you haven’t been following this post today, scroll down and watch the progression of a very interesting day of storms, tsunami warnings, and road closures.

2:37 pm – ROAD UPDATE – CHP REPORTING A FIRE JSO OF FERNWOOD, PG&E CALLED IN, SO PRESUMABLY FROM THE DOWNED LINES REPORTED EARLIER.

Additionally, there are reports of damage in Ventura Harbor, unknown if storm or tsunami related, but residents are reporting receeding and waves, about 3.3 ft, every twenty minutes at the Harbor and Pierpoint.

Significant rain here, again!

2:08 pm – an oceanographer in Hawaii just reported live on Hawaiian television that he had just received a report of tsunami damage in Ventura County. I have not been able to confirm that report. His information came from the Tsunami Center in AK, responsible for the entire western coast.

1:00 PM – Wow, I just got a reverse 911 call (555-555-5555) for the tsunami advisory alert. I’m a cell phone, and since I am at 3272 ft. I really don’t think I have anything to worry about, but was definitely interesting!

12:30 ROAD UPDATE: HIGHWAY ONE CLOSED (BOTH LANES) JSO OF FERNWOOD DUE TO DOWNED WIRES, PER CHP, AT LEAST UNTIL 1:15 PM. Per my friend: evidently a poll or electrical line is down between Glen Oaks and Fernwood and the road is blocked, so can’t get to the lodge.

11:50 am – for those interested in watching the Hawaiian tsunami live reports, news, tweets, and other, go to this site: live reporting
it is scheduled to hit HI in a little over an hour (around 1:05 pm, PST, first in Hilo, Hawaii, and later for other islands).

10 am – it is *pouring* here again! And for a brief moment in time, I thought I was going to see the sun! My rain gauge is fast approaching capacity, and I will have to go out during the next break to empty it. There was a mud slide JSO of Gorda late last night, but all indications are that it is open this morning. Knowing Cal-Trans, they are keeping an eye on it today!

I received another 1.5 inches after 8:30 am – for a total of 4 inches for the storm, 54 inches (originally posted 64, but that was in error) for the season. Debbie reports 2.5 inches in Big Sur Valley total for the storm. I have a bit of snow, slush, and hail on the ground this morning. San Jose reports blue skies, and Big Sur Valley reports the blue is coming through! However, Pebble Beach just reported in that it was still pouring there at 9:19 am.

On another note, a Tsanumi Warning has been issued for Hawaii with evacuations issued this morning, it is expected to hit the coast of California with minimal impact, however an advisory has been issued.”TSUNAMI ADVISORIES MEAN THAT A TSUNAMI CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG CURRENTS OR WAVES DANGEROUS TO PERSONS IN OR VERY NEAR WATER IS IMMINENT OF EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT WIDESPREAD INUNDATION IS NOT EXPECTED FOR AREAS IN AN ADVISORY.” Arrival time for Pt. Sur is given as 12:32 pm, per NOAA.