4:11 pm – SP got it cleared up. Ed note – this is just the first of the slides we will see before this storm is  done sometime tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, none of them will be significant or prolonged.

3:45 pm – MUD/ROCK SLIDE AT MM 42, Grimes Canyon.

3:30 pm – a TC of an SUV vs. Guard rail near Post Ranch. There are concerns about power lines as well. May be tie ups for a bit until all can be cleared. Nothing as dramatic as the 8.35″/hr at 11:11 am, but we are up to 1.26″ for the day and 4.15″ for the storm. More is coming in tonight into tomorrow am, so conditions are ripe for road problems. Be careful, and try to stay off Highway One at night, particularly if unfamiliar.

8:15 – traffic hazard at Big Creek, black sedan. I’m guessing flat tire from rocks on the road … Based on past experience, so an educated guess, but still, a guess.

7:30 am – FHL has confirmed the bridge at N-F is indeed open.

6:30 am – the rain started as I was waking. Today is predicted to be a repeat of Friday, but perhaps higher rain totals. Winds are progged to be slightly less, but advisories issued thru 10 pm.

Yesterday, Ft. hunter Liggett closed its water crossings at Nacimiento-Fergusson and at Del Venturi. That is specific to water crossings, not bridges, as written. There is a number to call for further information, but it is too early to call.

Nothing is being reported on the CHP website at this time regarding problems on Highway One. Okay, that the abbreviated early am report … Stay turned for further reports throughout the day. Now time for coffee.

No photos from me, today, but I want to see yours! Header photo contest starts NOW, I already have one that was sent to me. No prize this time, sorry. I’ll pick a few, then put those to the readers for a vote. Remember the size constraints! Some really great photos don’t look good with that long, narrow format. You have two weeks to submit, until midnight January 23.

After an eventful day yesterday, And a surprise last night in the form of a chimney falling on my head as I was reaching for that elusive sleep, I am just grateful for warmth tonight due to a repaired chimney, and the blessings of friendships I cherish.

I wasn’t going to write today, but a dear friend got the Big “C” notice today, and while I am positive she will lick this easily as it has been caught very early, it simply reminded me to take that retrospective step tonight as I say goodbye to 2014.

I have always been blessed with magnificent family and friends in my life. I never take that for granted any more than I can take this magical place I live for granted. The sounds of laughter and the silence of the mountain tops help me be grateful for this mystery of life. Mine, like yours is special. I have had many lessons to learn this time around, and I am hopeful I have learned them well.

I look forward to tomorrow – and all my future tomorrows – with joy and wonder. I wish you all the same. May Peace and Joy be the rule for you and all of us in 2015.

Pfeiffer State Park will have a partial reopening December 24. The following areas will be open: Main Camp (campsites 131-189); The Big Sur Lodge Restaurant, Store, and Lodging; Buzzard’s Roost Trail, Pfeiffer Falls/Valley View Teail; and the Picnic Areas near the Day Use parking lots. All other areas will remain closed.

The Pine Ridge Trail between the Big Sur Station and Sykes Hot Springs is closed until further notice. This closure also includes the Pine Ridge parking lot at the Big Sur Station. Heavy rains and large mud slides have created extremely hazardous and impassable conditions. Further segments of the trail are in imminent danger of failure or collapse which could result in serious injury.

Inquire at the Entrance Station for further information. The SP apologizes for any inconvenience.

Due to a large slide 2 miles from the Big Sur Station trailhead.

Photo from USFS Twitter.

It opened early this am, but I fell back asleep. Sorry.

The accident which tied up Wildcat last night was a fatality of one of our own. Very sad news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

9:45 pm – CHP is calling for CT to close the road. This is what it looks like now:

Details 00416 8:36 PM Traffic Hazard Sr1 S / Little Sur 1 AT LITTLE SUR MM 56.0 and MM 58-59.5 Monterey

Detail Information
9:43 PM 4 [16] 27-S1 1039 ENTAC and LT KACZOR
9:36 PM 3 [15] BIXBY BRIDGE 59.5
9:34 PM 2 [12] [Appended, 21:34:41] [9] 1039 ERIC DEGROOT , WILL MAKE CALLOUTS FOR ROAD CLOSURE, WILL 1021 WHEN ENRT
9:31 PM 1 [9] [Appended, 21:34:41] [6] 27-S1 CPS IN DISPATCH / HAVE CT CLOSED RDWY and HAVE 74B 1022’D
Unit Information
8:39 PM 2 Unit Assigned
9:30 PM 1 Unit Cleared

MM56 is Little Sur; MM 58 is Hurricane Point; 59.5 is Bixby Bridge. Looks like Hurricane Point is the point of problem, and other two are closure points. Just a guess.

FLOOD WATCH…CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
132 PM PST SUN DEC 14 2014

.PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN WILL DEVELOP BY EARLY MONDAY MORNING AND
THEN CONTINUE FOR MUCH OF THE DAY MONDAY. RAIN WILL TURN TO
SHOWERS BY MONDAY EVENING. THE HEAVY RAIN ON TOP OF LAST WEEKS
RAINFALL WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR POSSIBLE FLASH FLOODING AND MINOR DEBRIS FLOWS TO THE HILLS ABOVE BIG SUR INCLUDING HIGHWAY 1.
SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-
132 PM PST SUN DEC 14 2014

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAS ISSUED
A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR COASTAL MONTEREY COUNTY…INCLUDING THE
FOLLOWING AREA…SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL
FOREST. THIS INCLUDES HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH OF CARMEL TO THE SAN LUIS
OBISPO COUNTY LINE.

* FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON

* PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN DEVELOPING EARLY MONDAY MORNING WILL
CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF MONDAY BEFORE TAPERING TO SHOWERS
MONDAY NIGHT. 3 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE
HILLS ABOVE BIG SUR AND HIGHWAY 1. EXPECT MINOR MUD AND DEBRIS
FLOWS ALONG HIGHWAY 1 AND SYCAMORE CANYON AS WELL AS ANY RECENT BURN SCARS.

* RESIDENTS OF BIG SUR SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

As of 10 am this morning, per Greg De Alba, Supervisor, Willow Springs Station. Woohoo! Be safe, and thank you Cal Trans!

Today, December 10, 2014, Piedras Blancas

See the NB guardrail on the right?

Imagine what it will be like tomorrow.