Full Closure on Hwy. 1 to everyone (including local residents) at Mud Creek (MON PM 8.88) due to an active mudslide at this time.
There is no estimated time when this section of Hwy. 1 will re-open.
There is no limited access through this location at the present time.
Next Update this afternoon, Friday, Jan. 13, around 3 pm
– The northern closure moves down to Lucia (PM 23) at 8 am today and the southern closure remains at Ragged Pt. (SLO PM 72.87)
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There is also still an active slide at Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6).
9/14 5 pm update – see the comments below for an update on the bicyclist’s condition. Thank you, April, and please keep us posted!
2:30 pm update – the man was airlifted to the trauma center, where he is presumably being treated. The 37-year-old man was from Southern California. He was wearing a helmet, and one witness said it probably saved his life.
Noon – about an hour or more ago, there was a serious bicycle accident near mud creek, just north of Sea View ranch. Witnesses to the crash said the bicyclist, a 37-year old volunteer firefighter (not one of ours) seized up, just before the crash. He suffered serious head injuries. No vehicle was involved. Rescuers were hoping to have him air-lifted to the trauma center in San Jose. I did see a helicopter heading north, flying low over me that I suspect was transporting the victim. People who stopped to help included an RN, a pediatrician, and a CT worker who was able to use the satellite phone to contact 911, as there is no cell phone service in much of the south coast highway segment. Also stopping to help was our own local Elaine Peltier, who has had some training and always carries a space blanket and surgical gloves in her vehicle.
Yesterday, Rock Knocker climbed Mud Creek (about a mile north of Alder Creek Slide) to make sure it wasn’t backing up. (Yes, he IS retired, and no, he does NOT have to do this, but he is a curious fellow.) Normally, these are not the type of photos I would post, as some people are not interested in this type of thing. But I thought some of you might like to see how slides can happen (it is not backing up, therefore no slide is imminent) and get a different perspective on the hills and rocks that come down ON the road! I’ve even included some photos of the road from a perspective most of us are not likely to ever see. Definitely a unique perspective! RK took 104 photos, I’ve narrowed them down considerably, but I still have quite a few I want to share, so will be adding to this throughout the evening. Thanks so much, Rock Knocker! Climbing up Mud Creek, by Rock Knocker
That’s Highway One, down below.
WARNING – DO NOT TRY THIS YOURSELF. Rock Knocker is a professional rock climber, and has been to the Cal-Trans climbing school each year for over 20+ years. In fact, he has been invited back again, even though he is retired. Across the rockfall of Mud Creek, by Rock Knocker
One can see a sliver of Highway One in the distance on the right. Looking down the rock fall, by Rock Knocker
I am afraid of heights. Even looking at a photo like this makes me queasy. Good thing he doesn’t have video! Even higher still, by Rock Knocker
I can’t even BEGIN to describe what looking at this one does to my stomach! This is the one time I am “almost” – not quite – glad to Pampas Grass holding the hillside in place! A tree grows ... by Rock Knocker
Amazing to see on this barren slope, a tree tenaciously growing out of rock. Roots in Rock, by Rock Knocker
The close-up The Coastline, by Rock Knocker
If one looks closely, one can see the CT cone, and the sliver of road in front of it. Highway One - a different perspective, by Rock Knocker
Right behind where that front ridge and the highway intersect is the Alder Creek Slide. One can also see the recently rebuilt seawall at Shale Point. Going down? by Rock Knocker
There is his truck, parked on the side of the road. And that ends the photo story of the climb up Mud Creek.
It is down to 37.6 degrees at 5:30 pm – and I need to update the weather/road post for today, March 9. 2010.
