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!)

What better way to end the storms than with a view like this. It was taken earlier this month, but doesn’t it just express the hope that comes with the end of these storms? We are in for a dry week, and temperatures climbing into the 70s and possibly 80s by Thursday. Sing Hallelujah!

And I have a couple sunsets I took tonight and one or two from Ken Cowan. Feel free to send yours for me to add tomorrow. No more tonight. I am beat! I’ll add mine, and any others I get (if a reasonable number) tomorrow. And then, I am back to my paying job, and getting things picked up around here after these horrific winds and rains. Blessed be.

Here is one of the Big Sur River near River Inn, which is fine, did not have to evacuate, and is putting on the locals night as planned tonight. Who is that crazy guy? (Hint – he’s related to me)

And here are some sent to me by Mark Readdie of Big Creek taken yesterday by Terry and Feyner.

Yeah, it is tough, but someone’s got to do it. Yesterday, Avis went out and about and reminded us of the beauty we live among here on the south coast. Ken Cowen did the same yesterday up north and he, too sent some photos for us to enjoy. There are 5 I will be uploading, and then one of the Big Sur River taken this afternoon, if the internet Goddess is kind to me. She is being feisty at the moment.

The sun will come out tomorrow.

It has been pouring down here and the wind is howling. Rocks continue to fall and the hoped for hour opening is not going to happen. Cal-Trans won’t be issuing another update until tomorrow.

Also, got a report from county (which I think I posted below, but I am losing it – the “it” being my mind- , so I’ll post again) that there is a slide on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. at mile marker 7. It is passable and crews are working on it, but be cautious. This also underscores that if taking this road, be on the look out for slides. You could come upon them before the county is even aware of it.

Also, Colin indicated that a helicopter service is being instituted Monday. “Community officials are coordinating with Caltrans and CHP to provide limited helicopter shuttle service from Rocky Point restaurant to Little Sur River Bridge beginning Monday, March 28 @ 10 am.”

Lots of rumors about a 6 pm opening – that has not been confirmed from any official source, it is rumor only at this point. Colin Jones just called to adamantly deny that rumor – “at this point.” Remember, folks, this is a fluid situation, just like the darn mud, and everything changes

Also, if I might indulge on a personal note? While this is personal to me, and is something I am quite aware of, I am willing to bet that all up and down this coast local businesses are doing the same thing for their employees and locals alike. These just happen to be the ones I’ve heard about today. Lucia has been providing my son with a place to stay last night and tonight, even when he only gets to work an hour, as there is not enough business to justify keeping the kitchen open. Thank you Ken Harlan! Alan Perlmutter has encouraged him to hang in front of the fireplace at the River Inn and enjoy the company of others, and has also instituted great dinners for locals so that we don’t feels so isolated. Thank you Alan and Janet!

To our entire business community – I salute you for making the best of a horrific situation and shining in the midst of this grayness like the stars that you are! Blessings from this isolated mountain top.

11:30 am – skeleton staff at River Inn, kitchen at Lucia closed, businesses helping out locals when and how they can, pulling together, making it through until at least one direction is open. I have heard nothing re the very southern portion of Highway One, which I am assuming is good news.

*IMPORTANT* Also, just in from County re Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. it is open but there is a slide about the 7 mile marker the county crew is working on, so use caution.

10:30 am – LOCALS AND STRANDED TOURISTS CAUGHT INSIDE THE TWO SLIDES ONLY, there will be a one hour opening to get home or out between 2 and 3 pm. Of course, this is dependent on the weather, and it has been pouring down here since dawn. Please, if you live out of the area and just want to see if the road is “really closed” – stay home. We need this small window of opportunity to get supplies, medical attention, to get to family and friends. We will welcome you next week when the weather is predicted to be great, assuming one end of the roadway is open for traffic, which the south should be.

See you then?

Hello everyone. Avis here again.

I managed to get out and about today. My first stop was at Lucia to see how everyone was doing. My timing was spot on when I ran into our local Park Ranger who offered to take me on a ride-a-long to get some pictures. The first shots are of the slides to the south of Lucia. The first one is as you head down the hill towards Limekiln. We call this spot Paul’s Slide.

They made a lot of progress today on the Limekiln Chimney Slide.

Before dark, they managed to get a hole poked through for about an hour and hundreds of cars went through. The cars were parked along the side of the road since last night. I spoke to some of the stranded people and some even slept in their cars last night. Many people missed flights, deadlines on car returns, meetings, conferences, and other reservations. But all in all, they were treated to Big Sur hospitality and we kept them safe, warm, dry and fed until they could slip out in that one hour window.

The Ranger & I headed down into Limekiln State Park. It’s so beautiful down there. If you have never been camping at Limekiln, I highly recommend it!

While I was there I wanted to check out the where the Limekiln Creek empties into the ocean. I always love where the fresh water meets the sea water.

The next two shots are to the North of Lucia on Highway 1.

It was a beautiful , sunny day here. Just what we all needed. And with the progress they made today it sounds like they may get the Chimney Slide closure open sometime tomorrow. I just want to say how much we all appreciate the highway workers. They all look so tired. They have been working long hard hours trying to get this road open again. Be safe, and thank you one and all!

I’ve gotten a number of photos these past 10 days, and while I have tried to upload and post as many as possible, some have gotten lost in the shuffle of the various bulletins and emergencies, including this photo of the funnel cloud/water spout by Kristy Sullivan taken from near the Post Ranch:

And here is another by Dan Clark from the Coastlands

Next is one from Simon Eagar of the Carmel River mouth and parking lot along scenic drive:

And lastly, here is tonight’s view of Cone Peak by the usual suspect. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone’s photos. It has been quite a time these last 10 days, and while it isn’t over – we have some good weather headed our way. I would like to remind everyone that just because the rains stop doesn’t mean the sliding has. My experience is that when the soil dries out, it contracts, and then it moves – somewhere new.
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