Andrew Molera hike in camping to reopen

Reopening of Andrew Molera State Park Trail Camp Campground

BIG SUR, CA: Trail Camp Campground at Andrew Molera State Park will be reopened on 11/3/2016. Trail Camp was closed to the public after the park was utilized as a Fire Camp during the Soberanes Wildfire. Rehabilitation efforts were needed before the campground could be opened. We are pleased to once again provide this camping opportunity for the enjoyment of the public.

Trail Camp consists of 24 tent only campsites. All campsites are available on a first come-first served basis and are walk in campsites, requiring a ¼ mile hike in from the parking lot. Occupancy for each campsite is limited to a maximum of 4 people.

We are making 3 campsites available for Hike and Bike camping due to the current closure of Hike and Bike camping at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The sites will remain available until the facilities at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are opened. Each of the 3 campsites will be available to those people not utilizing motor vehicles for transportation to the park (parking on the highway and walking in is not permitted). Campsites will be available on a first come-first served basis with a maximum of 4 occupants per campsite. Hike and Bike camping fees are $5/night/person and payment is required upon entry to the park.

For park information please call (831) 667-2315 or online at http://www.parks.ca.gov

VWS Stolen Truck Recovered

Some of you already know that on Thursday night at Andrew Molera, one of the condor trucks was stolen. It was recovered last night in SLO with major damage.Joe Burnett reminds us to be aware of any unusual or suspicious activity in our area, and don’t be afraid to report it.

Big Sur Community Market

Vanessa Share made up a flyer for this post, but unfortunately, I couldn’t see it or even download it from my email program. Probably on my end, not her’s, but in any event, I took a screen shot from her FB page. It doesn’t say, but usually these take place at the Loma Vista Gardens, 1-6 pm, weather permitting, next door to the Big Sur Bakery.

img_1624

Rain Report, 10/28/16

9:30 am – been quiet since 9 am, when I glimpsed a lot of blue sky before the clouds closed in on me. Big Sur Station reports 1.4″ of rain, a report of 1.1″ in Seaside Highlands, and another local reports the highway is clear from River Inn to Lucia. So far, so good, but several more storms to go, yet.

7:00 am – I woke at 12:30 am to the sound I had been waiting all day for – the patter of dogs and cats across my roof – or so my rain gauge told me. The rain rate was 1.23″/hour or well past the 1/2″ rate that triggers debris flow – raining cats and dogs is a favorite saying of my rain gauge. I was still up an hour later and noted that we had had that 1/2″. My worry began for my neighbors to the north and to the east, particularly Palo Colorado Canyon.

Eventually, I did get back to sleep and re-woke at 6:30 am. Now, the rain is soft and gentle, and I note no other periods of heavy rainfall while I slept. It is now 1.1″ since midnight. I check the CHP site and see roadway flooding notes all over Monterey County, particularly along highway 101, but none here? Really? Meredith Gafill commented on my post on FB of a problem by Lucia, but it is gone when I check. I will continue to keep an eye out and hope those of you who can will share reports with the rest of us. We have rain predicted on and off through Tuesday, so this could become a very long weekend, particularly near the burn scar of the Soberanes. Be safe, everyone.

Here are the 24 hour totals. Some automatic gauges did not work, thus an “M” for missing.

img_1621

Waiting for the rain …

11:45 am – the rain has begun. I was at 4.31″ for October before it began. So far, it is gentle.

10:00 am – While waiting, here are a couple eye-openers for us. I get to watch peacefully from my perch, but hopefully, those of you in the threatened areas have all completed your sandbagging and any other last minute preps. Also hoping that this storm is milder than predicted… Keep us posted about conditions where you are in the comments below.

img_1619img_1618

Sandbag Locations & Links

From MoCo Public Works:

Hi Kate,
In case you do not have this information. PW crews were coming today with second 1,000 sandbags. If you did not already have sandbag info links, they are below. All recently updated.

maia

Public Works crews have delivered 2,000 sandbags for those in the Soberanes fire scar. Sandbags are located on Palo Colorado Road at the fire station, the Hoist and Botchers Gap and on Garrapatos Road at the Glen Deven ranch.
There are sandbag stockpile areas throughout the county for those in need.
Public Works Sand Stockpile locations:
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=13937
Sandbag distribution list:
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=13973

Flash Flood Watch

This is a notification from Alert Monterey County:

This is an informational message from Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.

A significant weather system is approaching the Central Coast. The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE SOBERANES FIRE BURN SCAR AREA, starting Thursday 3 p.m. 10-27-2016 through Friday 7 a.m. 10-28-2016.
There is sufficient moisture with this system that may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

We strongly suggest you take appropriate precautions or preparations to protect life and property.

For more information go to: https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=6853847

img_1614

From Dave Allen:

img_1613

Storm Situation-Thursday to Friday

A potential big storm moving in heads up and plan for potential debris flow
Fire Chief Cheryl Goetz from Mid-Coast Fire Brigade · Palo Colorado Canyon
UPDATED INFORMATION
Showers end this morning in the North Bay. Next focus will be on storm due to arrive Thursday. More rain possible over the weekend.
IMPACTS
*Impact 1 (Moderate to heavy rain for burn scar areas) :
•Rain is expected to develop Thursday and may be heavy for a time Thursday evening over the Loma and Soberanes Fire burn scars.
•Rain total forecast (QPF) will be fine tuned over the next few days but potential for 1-4 inches of rain over the highest peaks.
•Persons with property impacted by the fires should take action now to protect against potential debris flows or flash floods.

*Impact 2 (Rain for much of the Bay Area and Central Coast)
· Confidence increasing for rain Thursday through Friday morning that will likely impact the Thursday afternoon commute.

*Impact 3 (South winds):
· South winds from 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph will be possible Thursday into early Friday ahead of the frontal passage.

*Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories:
· No watches/warnings/advisories in effect at this time. Latest Hazardous Weather

FORECAST CONFIDENCE
· High for rainfall but only low to moderate for exact amounts and locations of rain on Thursday.

TIMING
· Thursday afternoon into Thursday night for the heaviest rain turning to showers by Friday morning.

LOCATIONS
· Loma and Soberanes burn scars
Shared with Mid-Coast Fire Brigade in Crime & Safety