Rocky Creek Road Closure

March 30, 2011 – The Walk Home

The Walk Home #1, 3/30/11 by Ken Cowen

The Walk Home #2, 3/30/11 by Ken Cowen

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March 30, 2011 – No emergencies, no bigsurkate
1. No update from CT on Alder until Fri so it remains closed on Thursday it sounds like.

2. Don McQueen tells me that the cribbing on the Rocky Creek actually replaced the original redwood cribbing used by the convict crew, and that Wally Hinkle put that cribbing in in the 60s. Rock Knocker is my primary source for information about the road, with 30 years experience, but he admits he had a brain fart here. I’ve arranged for Rock Knocker and I to go interview Don McQueen in the next couple of weeks.

3. The teaser by MCWeekly on FB places the Rocky Creek closure on Marcy 17th. That is incorrect. It happened on March 16th.

Lastly, this from Monterey Communications:

Monterey Salinas Transit is prepared to run a shuttle from the north end of the Highway 1 slide to Carmel and Monterey. MST is seeking input from the Big Sur community on how frequently this would be needed. Please send your comments regarding the shuttle to the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce.

Here is the tentative shuttle schedule MST has developed:

7:30 a.m. Shuttle pick up from the northern end of the slide, coincides with pedestrian access time. Shuttle stops include:

Crossroads on Rio Road (at Blackbear)
CHOMP
Del Monte Center
Cass Street
Transit Plaza, Downtown Monterey

4:00 p.m. Shuttle returns to north end of the slide, coinciding with pedestrian access times.

From each of the shuttle stops, riders can access bus routes throughout the county. The ride back to Big Sur will repeat the stops in the reverse. The shuttle can carry 18 seated and 7 standing passengers. It can accommodate two wheelchairs, which would reduce seated capacity to 16.

Please forward your comments regarding the shuttle schedule to the Big Sur Chamber.

Information regarding garbage service:

Thursday 3/31/11 – Waste Management will send two trucks to Big Sur via Nacimiento Fergusson Road for garbage collection. The trucks will initially target commercial garbage needs. Should the trucks not be able to reach Big Sur using this route, the Monterey County Health Department will identify other means to handle solid waste.
Back tomorrow, maybe.
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March 29, 2011 – Slide Photos and other Stories

From Wild Big Sur: “At the meeting CalTrans reported the Limekiln Creek slide area will take the “best part of the week” to clear, and the Rocky Creek collapse repair is “on schedule and should be done by the end of the month.” Also, they set a schedule for pedestrian crossings at the collapse site – 7 am and 4 pm, for all who are in line at that time to walk over from either side.
I am going over Nacimiento to “the other side” now and will take my laptop and iPhone (238 0865) to stay in contact. Everyone can continue posting here.
jack “

For whatever reason, the vast majority of my comments/post to Wild Big Sur are not allowed, so, I will post here. There is a significant error – it is ALDER CREEK NOT LIMEKILN THAT WILL BE CLOSED FOR A WEEK. IF IT WAS LIMEKILN, JACK WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO GET TO NACIMIENTO-FERFUSSON TOMORROW.

1:45 pm – one report out of today’s meeting is Ped access starting tomorrow. 7:00 am and again at 4PM only until the last pedestrian in line AT THAT TIME is across. Escorted. The second important piece of information is that it is looking like a one lane opening will not happen in the middle of the month, closer to the end. Also, there will be a weight restriction of 5 tons, which will heavily impact the businesses and campgrounds. Further, this one lane with weight restriction could be in place for up to a year.

11 am – currently, the news continues to be that Alder Creek slide is a 2-7 day slide. Limekiln slid again last night, but Cal-Trans got one lane open this morning. Current reports are that Nacimiento-Fergusson is open.

Remember, just because I write something is open (or closed) at 11 am, doesn’t mean that it will be the same at noon. It was reported to me that one local expressed his dissatisfaction with my blog because road conditions were different than reported here. Conditions change much more rapidly than any one can possibly report on. I am only one – with help from Avis when she can – and the road and Mother Nature do not listen to me, at all, ever.

Don’t forget the helicopter ferry started yesterday. Email Stan Russell at info@bigsurcalifornia.org for arrangements.

I have some photos of all sorts of things slide-related I will get them up sometime this afternoon, I hope.

But here are some “views” from yesterday;

Chimney Slide near Limekiln after opening by bigsurkate

Packard Beach, double waterfall by bigsurkate

Sunset from Ventana by bigsurkate

The lights come on at Nepenthe by bigsurkate

Alder Creek closure by bigsurkate

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March 29, 2011 – Tuesday’s News & Views

Don’t forget the helicopter ferry started yesterday. Email Stan Russell at info@bigsurcalifornia.org for arrangements.

I have some photos of all sorts of things slide-related I will get them up sometime this afternoon, I hope.

But here are some “views” from yesterday;

Chimney Slide near Limekiln after opening by bigsurkate

Packard Beach, double waterfall by bigsurkate

Sunset from Ventana by bigsurkate

The lights come on at Nepenthe by bigsurkate

Alder Creek closure by bigsurkate

March 28, 2011 – Big Sur takes care of her own
First, Avis, my sister of the heart, thanks for taking care of my blog while I took the day off. AND, I didn’t even ask … you just helped out. Damn, that is why I love this place so much!

Second, Danny, thanks for sharing your photos with all of us so we know what is REALLY going on down here.

Third, thank you Big Sur for taking care of me when I ran out of my place in such a state this morning that I forgot my purse. No money, no credit cards, nothing but my name, and yet, I got lunch, drinks, gas, and home safely. Thanks to a lot of friends and businesses. This community is SO fine!

I also got to check in with the businesses and their employees … and I am impressed. This community is like few others. That will be the subject of my column and post tomorrow.

I have a column to write for the Cambrian and SLO Tribune and bigsurkate due by tomorrow, and lots of photos I took today, so I will be back in the morning.

If one has to be cut off, stranded, isolated, whatever, what better place than Big Sur?
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March 28, 2011 – Alder Creek Slide Photos
3:30PM – Hi Everyone. Avis here again. The lovely Big Sur Kate is taking a much needed day of R & R.

Danny Millsap the Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor just sent me these photo’s of the Alder Creek Slide that happened over night. These were taken early this morning. Alder Creek is south of the town of Gorda. The slide is at the 8 MM.

4:15PM – I just spoke with Danny and to quote him ” Two days or more. Could be a week working as fast as they can safely” before they get this one cleaned up.

I also spoke to many people who traveled Naciemiento Road today and they say the road is clean and in great shape. So Big Sur, our one and only way in and out across Naciemiento is looking great.

The road from Naciemiento north to the Big Sur Valley is looking good too.

Alder Creek Slide 3/28/2011

Alder Creek Slide Hauling out the dirt

Danny just sent this. Alder taken at 1600 hours

Enjoy the sunshine and be safe out there. Things can change in a moment.
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March 28, 2011 – Mother Nature has a sense of humor
2:40 pm – from the River Inn after a great lunch, at least a couple days for the closure, update tomorrow morning.

8:00 am – the official word is that this slide south of Gorda will keep the highway closed, probably for most, if not all day. An update will be issued this evening.

The South Coast drums are reporting a two day closure. And Danny Millsap, the Willow Creek Supervisor just confirmed.

The good news is N-F Rd. is holding, so far. The road down from Big Sur is clear to here. Good luck everyone.

Mother Nature sure has a sense of humor! Keep laughing.

I’ll be out and about checking on things a bit later.
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March 27, 2011 – Highway One closed AGAIN South of Gorda
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

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Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. 3/27/11
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.
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March 27, 2011 – Openings on the Southern Slide
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.

Lucia cracks by Brendon Shave

Perspective by Brendon Shave

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!)
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March 26, 2011 – Sunset on the March Storms

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!

Rainbow by Kenny Comello

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.
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March 26, 2011 – A River runs through it

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)

Muddy Mill Creek, 3/26/11, by Jeff Parrish

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

Big Creek white water

Big Creek Beach

Big Creek beach underwater

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March 26, 2011 – Stranded in Paradise
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.

Little Sur, 3/25/11 by Ken Cowen

Waves at Little Sur, 3/25/11, by Ken Cowen

Little Sur #2, 3/25/11, Ken Cowan

Lighthouse, 3/25/11, by Ken Cowen

Wild Bird House, 3/25/11, by Ken Cowen

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March 26, 2011 – Hour opening canceled

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.
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March 26, 2011 – One hour opening in Southern Slide
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
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March 25, 2011 – Limekiln Slide and Big Sur Beauty
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.

Paul's Slide 3/25/2011

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

Limekiln Chimney Slide 3/25/2011

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.

If you look up the hill, you can see there are lots of big loose rocks that need to come down.

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!

West fork of Limekiln Creek. It's roaring!

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.

Where Limekiln Creek meet the sea

Standing under the Limekiln Creek Bridge

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

Lopez Point - Poppies & Waves

Potter's Cove with waterfall and Big Creek Bridge in the background

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!
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March 25, 2011 Miscellaneous Weather Photos in Big Sur
‘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:

Water Spout by Kristy Sullivan

And here is another by Dan Clark from the Coastlands

Funnel Cloud by Dan Clark

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

Scenic Drive & Carmel River, 3/25/11, by Simon Eagar

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.
]
Snow on Cone Peak, 3/25/11, by bigsurkate

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March 25, 2011 – Reports from the Coast

Local's Dinner at River Inn for $9.95

Can you save me one? I’ll be right there – when I can!

5:30 pm – CHP website says this:
2:10PM IF IT IS RAINING CALTRANS WILL NOT BE WORKING ON RDWY
2:10PM GOOD CHANCE IT WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW
2:10PM PER WAYNE/CALTRANS-RDWY WILL BE CLOSED TONIGHT

BUT when I spoke to Colin Jones several times this afternoon, he stressed that crews WOULD be working tomorrow, even if it rained. He also said he would be checking in in the morning with his office and hoped to put out a press release with good news.

Also, reports of a bottle-neck at the slide with people hoping to get through from both directions. This is what we called in the Army a SNAFU. 5 points if you know what the acronym stands for. ;=)

4:00 pm – there has been a rumor about a one-hour opening on the southern slide this afternoon. Stan Russell and Kirk Gafill are indicating that Cal-Trans Steve Price confirms that Cal-Trans “hopes” to be able to do this between 5 and 6 this evening. I called Colin Jones at 3:30 this afternoon to confirm or deny this rumor, and he indicated that IF it is possible, it will be on a very, very limited basis, for emergency supplies ONLY, and not to let trapped guests or locals through at that time. So, there you have it. Even Cal-Trans is not consistent on this one. You could get down here only to be turned away.

2:30 pm Cal-Trans update re Limekiln: “CURRENTLY, THERE IS STILL NO ESTIMATED TIME OF REOPENING Hwy. 1 to at least one lane of traffic. Several tons of mud and rock have fallen on the roadway and while crews and contractors are making good clean-up progress today, conditions are changing. Caltrans will issue another update around 5 pm this afternoon.” Don’t hold your breath that this puppy will be open, but who knows? Crews will be working all day tomorrow, even in the rain (which is supposed to be a much lighter storm, and our last for a while) so let’s hope.

From Cal-Trans:

Ouch - Windor's Damaged loader at Limekiln, photo courtesy of Cal-Trans

**11:00 AM PER C/T: “Several tons of mud and rock has fallen on the roadway but crews and contractors are making good clean-up progress today. Caltrans will have a better estimate this afternoon as to when at least one lane at the Limekiln slide can be opened.”

**10:15 AM PER CHP WEBSITE, CAL-TRANS HAS NO ETA FOR OPENING THE SLIDE NEAR LIMEKILN AT THIS TIME**

9:00 am – nothing reported directly to me late last night or this morning, so will be checking my online and in person sources.

CHP is still reporting Limekiln closed thusly:
12:08AM SEVERAL LARGE BOULDERS IN RDWY
12:05AM WILL BE CLOSED MOST OF DAY JSO LIMEKILN

I am waiting for my morning call from Colin Jones on this one.

Did get a report last night after 8 pm on N-F Rd that there is a slide about 1/2 way down from the summit, but able to be navigated. Also, there was lots of water on the road both on the base and through the USFS lands.

Right now, I am looking at a combination of blue skies and fluffy clouds.

Here are some photos of the Big Sur River sent to me by Debbie Reed. Thanks Debbie! Glad you didn’t get flooded!

Big Sur River, 3/25/11 by Debbie Reed

Big Sur River, 3/25/11, by Debbie Reed

Big Sur River, 3/25/11, by Debbie Reed

Juan Higuera Creek, 3/25/11, by Debbie Reed

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March 24, 2011 – The River is Up
9:00 pm – The river is receding, and all is safe. Reports this evening is that the road through Ft. Hunter-Ligett and all bridges are in good shape and open. Today, bigsurkate saw its prior record for number of visitors, set on September 30, 2008 when the Chalk Fire broke out, broken.

I am exhausted and am turning in. I might not be back online until 9 am tomorrow. *IF* we are lucky, Avis, who gets up early and has 24 hour power at Lucia, will post something about conditions in the am for me until I can get online and catch up. In the mean time, be safe and take care of one another!! Oh, damn. The rain has picked up again. It doesn’t matter, I am falling asleep at the key board and can no longer spell or type properly. Nite all.

8:30 pm “I don’t know of you can post out quick but a large tree branch is down on the south bound land mile marker 46 on a blind corner. Fire in route but everyone is busy. Could cause a accident. Keep your eyes out everyone.”

I just received these from Rain at the State Park. These first three were taken at Andrew Molera. XT posted in the post immediately below that the river peaked at 10.36 feet as was receeding.

Rob Weller has some evening photos showing the river up to the office door at Riverside and also in the lower campground. Hope there is little or no damage anywhere.

fire road and crossing at Andrew Molera 3/24/11 br Rain Greenslate

fishing regs sign at AMSP main crossing, 3/24/11 by Rain Greenslate

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March 24, 2011 – Flash Flood Warning
AT 5:27 pm THIS EVENING THE NWS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE BIG SUR RIVER. THE RIVER IS AT 9.25 FT AND FLOOD STAGE IS CONSIDERED 10 FT. WITH MORE SHOWERS EXPECTED, IT IS LIKELY THE RIVER WILL REACH FLOOD STAGE BEFIRE IT BEGINS TO RECEDE.

PLEASE NOTIFY ALL AFFECTED PERSONNEL AND TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.

Sidney Reade

Monterey County OES

796-1902
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Reports from locals indicate that the river is flowing quite fast and carrying some rather astonishingly large trees. One friend near the river has evacuated, others are keeping an eye out on the levels. Fortunately, many k-rails from the winter of 2008 are still in place. BE SAFE!!
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March 24, 2011 – Limekiln Slide Photos
Hello everyone. Avis here at Lucia. Been a crazy day today trying to get all the people trapped between the road closures to a safe place for the night. And giving them a safe, dry place to hang out until we were sure they could not get through today. When I left work we had almost a full house and had made phone calls and arrangements for people to stay at different locations on the north coast. So thank you to everyone who worked with me today and helped to get these people to a safe location.

Officer Ben, thanks for stopping in to see us today. It was nice to see you and I hope you made it home safe and sound. Please leave a comment and let us know you’re okay.

I handed my camera to one of the bridge workers and asked if he had time to snap a few pics so everyone could see what the slide looks like. Below are those shots.

This first shot shows the roof of the loader working on the south side of the slide. This was the loader that got damaged. The windows were broken by rocks and the loader is out of commission for the moment but repairable. The operator is fine…thank goodness. He had a bloody nose and a cut on his forehead.

You can see how dangerous this is for the workers. Working on an active slide with large rocks falling. You can see the roof of the loader on the south side of slide.

Limekiln slide looking south

Working hard trying to open a lane

Thanks again to everyone who kept us informed on the situation. To all of the road warriors who worked so hard today in the wind, rain & falling rock. You are so brave and we appreciate you all. To all the other businesses I worked with on the phone today. And to the entire staff at Lucia. Everyone worked hard at making the stranded motorist feel safe, we fed them good food and offered warm safe rooms for them to stay at tonight.
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March 24, 2011 – Slide near Limekiln
5:00 pm – got an update from the Big Sur Health Center for all of us:

Big Sur Health Center update:

As always, the Big Sur community has 24-hour access to a physician on-call through the Big Sur Health Center.

During the road closure, our regular office hours of Monday-Friday, 10:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 to 5:00 will remain in effect; however, we have extended our services to accommodate urgent medical needs during hours when we are closed.

For clarification, we have changed our answering service message and that should be in place later tonight.

In the meantime, if you have a true medical emergency, please call 911.

If you have an urgent matter that can’t wait until the next business day, please call the health center and listen to the entire message. You will be put in contact with the MD on-call. That person will assess your need and either offer advice or call local health center personnel to make arrangements for you to be seen at the Big Sur Health Center.

The weather and road conditions have created an enormous staffing challenge for us and we are attempting to meet your needs as efficiently as possible. Please try to be patient, use emergency services judiciously, and most of all, be safe.

3:20 pm – Big Sur Valley is reporting no power. There are 2 P.G. and E workers between the slides, so hopefully, power can be reinstated, but just in case it can’t – find your candles, flashlights, batteries, and lanterns. Buy ice, if you can. Oh, and keep those freezers closed. It will help keep the food from unthawing any sooner than necessary.

My thoughts, and those of my readers outside the Valley are with you all. Be safe tonight, please.

2:40 pm – Per CHP website:

2:39PM ATTN SLO COMM: REQ BEAT UNITS BE MADE AWARE OF THIS CLOSURE, AND ANTICIPATED OPENING OF 1 LN AROUND DUSK FOR CALTRANS, EMERGENCY VEHS, AND CONSTRUCTION ONLY

2:00 pm – official word is that work has ceased for the day at the operation at Limekiln due to safety concerns. One Windor loader was damaged, although the operator was not injured. The slide will be reassessed first thing tomorrow morning. Hunker down, it is not worth someone’s life, and don’t forget the operator we lost in the big slide of 1983. We do not want a repeat.

Noon – Official word from Colin Jones, CT is that this slide will NOT be open all day. Hoping to have it cleared by dark, but LOTS of material is falling on the road plus precarious large rocks that need to be brought down. Confirmed that the slide is SOUTH of Limekiln and that the Los Padres sign is buried in rubble.

Chimney Slide at Limekiln, 3/24/11 photo courtesy of Cal-Trans

11:30, from Avis about an hour ago: “Road closure near Limekiln State Park. I just got done speaking with officer Ben Grasmuck with the CHP, in fact he is standing here now. Best case scenerio for road opening (at least one lane) is 4 hours and possably 8 hours. Ben said he would instruct the CHP office to call us at Lucia when they get the road open.”

10 am – Sorry, it took longer than usual to get gennie going due to rain. Confirmed that the road is closed south of Limekiln at a place called “The Chimney. One report is that it will be open around 1 pm, another report is that it will take most of the day to open. The official word from Cal-Trans is 1 pm. Re-open is completely dependent on weather, of course, and heaviest rains expected between 11 and 2. This slide is north of N-F Rd. by a couple miles (slide at 20.5, and N-F at 18.9), so Big Sur is effectively an island for the moment.

BIG SUR MILE MARKERS ARE ALWAYS LINKED TO THE RIGHT, CURRENTLY UNDER THE LA NINA 2010-2011 SECTION. DURING FIRES, IT IS STILL THERE, JUST SHIFTED TO THE FIRE SEASON. REDTAIL HAS A VERY GOOD, DETAILED LISTING AND THAT IS THE ONE I USE.

I am getting gas delivered today, if my road is passable, so should be good until Monday. I’ll try to get going earlier tomorrow morning. It has just been nine days of pretty much non-stop reporting now, and like some of you, I am getting tired.
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March 23, 2011 – Hazardous Weather Outlook
Up here, heavy hail, sleet, rain, slush, whatever it is, it is nasty. I’ll insert a photo of my window here:

Back door, 3/23/11

but first, here is an announcement from the Office of Emergency Services!

From the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR MONTEREY COUNTY

MARCH 23, 2011

1. Over the past few days Monterey County has experienced periods of heavy rain, high winds and high surf. As a result the upcoming weather system, expected to arrive in Monterey County early Thursday, March 24, 2011 will result in the issuance of several weather statements. A High Wind Advisory will be in effect from 1100 hours until 2200 hours and will be in effect for the entire coast, moving inland to the ridgelines as the day progresses. Sustained winds will reach 25-35 MPH with gusts 45 MPH, and may be even stronger over the hills. Due to the already saturated ground conditions, hazards such as downed trees and power lines may be expected. An Urban Small Stream Flooding Advisory will be in effect from daybreak, approximately 0700 hours with 2” – 2 ½” of intense rainfall expected with this weather system. Flooding in low lying areas, small streams and creeks is possible.

2. The major rivers within Monterey County are being monitored by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and public safety agencies and are currently below flood monitoring stage at this time with the exception of the Salinas River in Soledad at the Highway 101 Bridge area, where it is expected to crest at 20’ at midnight tonight. If you are in the area you are advised to follow the advice of public safety officials, and if at all possible, stay out of the area all together.

3. The weather system will have periods of heavy downpours and there is a chance of thunderstorms throughout the day. Due to the ground saturation and strong winds in the Santa Lucia Mountains mud/debris slides are also possible.

4. Stay aware of your local conditions, drive with extreme caution and follow the instructions of your local public safety officials. Be prepared should power outages occur. Watch for weather updates.

DAVID L. KRAUSS
INTERIM EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER

I have a photo of the funnel out over the ocean today that Kirsty Sullivan sent me to share (THANK YOU KIRSTY!), but I haven’t been able to download the whole thing. I’ve asked for smaller copies.
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March 23, 2011 – Report on meeting with Cal-Trans over closure
Today, members of the community, and various agencies met over the Rocky Creek Closure, and this is what was discussed:

CHP will be on site 24/7 starting today so no foot traffic until further notice. There will be another meeting on the 29th at 1:00 p.m. and a decision on foot traffic will be made then.

Road issues – Steve B (not Steve Price) is now the project manager and reports directly to Steve Price. He said that rain will not stop work. He also said that the slide is on an ancient slide site and they are going to try to stabilize what’s left and build from there. They are going to start drilling a nail wall on the 24th and they have two drill rigs working. Butch Kronlund asked why they couldn’t cut into the east side of the hill and Steve said that it wouldn’t be prudent because of this being an ancient slide site. Cal Trans wants to have pedestrian traffic as soon as they think that it’s safe. Two crews will be working daylight hours when they are drilling the vertical soil nails and double shifts will be working when they drill horizontal soil nails. AMR cannot walk patients across or gurney them across until it is safe. All nails need to be installed before they will allow any foot traffic. They have 250 soil nails that need to be drilled. Cal Trans wants to get this project done in a safe and timely manner and they are very committed to this.

Cal Trans is also talking long term solutions. Steve said that a lot of studies and research need to be done. Some of the alternatives that were mentioned was a large scale wall (probably not) a viaduct which would be substantial in length or a permanent bridge.

So, there you have it. As up-to-date as I can make it.
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March 23, 2011 – Slide at or South of Gorda?
3:00 pm – just got a report from a local who went through the slide. It is, as I suspected, at Mud Creek. It is active, Cal-Trans is working it, and they do have one lane open at this time.

This is what is posted on the CHP website. Gorda says not there, so I suspect it is the infamous Mud Creek a mile or so south. That is the area I posted the photos of from last night, and the area I have been covering for the entire winter – actually, back to last year some time.

2:04PM 1039 TEMPLETON CHP OFFICE
2:04PM 1039 CALTRANS DIST 5
2:02PM 1039 SAN LUIS
2:00PM LINE 1 WAS GIVEN TO MTY COM FROM MIDCOAST FIRE BRIGADE
2:00PM SLIDE 1125 SB LANE
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Weather/Road Reports 3/23/11
1:00 pm – This update just received from Cal-Trans. (Ed. note: the contractor awarded the temporary repair is the same one working on the permanent repair down at Dani Creek near Lucia, a similar slip out.)
(1) Due to severe roadway damage to the southbound lane, a 2-mile section of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek (Post Mile
60.5) continues to be closed in both directions. The closure is north of Big Sur from the Bixby Creek Bridge to Palo Colorado Road, south of Carmel. This barricaded closure is for all travel including emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

• Crews assessing the roadway have tentatively determined that, at the earliest, it will be nearly one month for a temporary repair to occur. Inclement weather and geologic instability continue to be a factor in roadwork progress.
• Condon Johnson & Associates of Oakland is the contractor for this $2.5 million emergency project and is currently mobilizing for the temporary repair. Drill rigs are on site and getting assembled while material for drilling vertical and horizontal soil nails in order to stabilize the remaining roadway section are arriving. This site is an active construction and the slope is still unstable so the roadway is unsafe for public access.
• All businesses along the coast on Hwy. 1 remain open directly and are directly accessible from the south. For access from the north, alternate routes include Highways 101, 68 and 46.
• More rain is expected in the Monterey Bay Area through the weekend.
• CHP is on site to secure the slide area and ensure safety for the public.
• Continuous updates will be provided as more information becomes available and/or conditions change.

I don’t repeat rumors (and there are a few of those flying as our isolation extends) , but I did hear from a reliable source that one or more locals created some problems at the closure yesterday. Let’s be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

11:30 am – there is a report of a slide at the bottom of Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. However, it is possible to get past it at this time.

11:00 am – short but intense hail storm. Have received numerous reports that the road between Cambria and Big Sur is hanging tough, thanks to a wonderful Cal-Trans crew. Several people report making it through with no major difficulties.

9:30 am – I slept in after the storm kept me up much of the night. I woke to banshee winds around 2 am, and couldn’t get back to sleep until my my bed stopped rocking and rolling. It was howling! My son sent me some shots of the road south last night, so I’ll post those now. There are three of them. Pretty knarly out there!

**FLASH FLOOD WATCH***

Lots of emails to check and news to post but here are the photos taken this morning on the south end of our road.

Mud Creek or Alder Creek area, 3/23/11, by Brendon Shave

North Bound lane, 3/23/11, by Brendon Shave

Center of Highway, looking South, 3/23/11, by Brendon Shave

Okay, that’s it for this morning’s photos. I am getting a few questions and it is much easier to answer them here, so all will know, rather than individually. Friend came over Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd this morning through base, all quiet and cleared, so that route is good. As to number to call for Cal-Trans re getting a foot path open, I would suggest the PIO Colin Jones. 805-549-3189. While I used to have (and may still) Steve Price’s number, a) I can’t find it, and b) I’m not authorized to give it out. Lastly, have heard nothing re road to the south, which is good news.

NOAA discussion: “AS OF 9:02 AM PDT WEDNESDAY…A FRONT HAS PASSED OVER THE FORECAST AREA THIS MORNING AND RESULTED IN PERIODS OF HIGH WIND AND MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN. MANY RIVERS AND STREAMS DID RESPOND TO THIS RAIN BUT REMAIN WELL BELOW FLOOD STAGE. … THE LARGEST THREAT FROM THESE STORMS
WILL BE SCATTERED MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY. THESE SCATTERED MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERS WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL PONDING ON THE ROADS AND PERIODS OF RISES IN THE RIVERS AND STREAMS.

MODEL SOLUTIONS ARE INDICATING THAT A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL RAPIDLY SLIDE
SOUTHEAST INTO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THURSDAY EVENING. A SIGNIFICANT JET MAX…110 TO 120 KT…WILL ACCOMPANY THE SURFACE FRONT AND PRODUCE ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COAST. SOME OF THE SHOWERS WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES. AFTER THE PAST FEW DAYS THE SOIL IS QUITE SATURATED AND RIVERS AND STREAMS WILL SEE A RAPID RESPONSE TO ANY ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION.”

Let’s stay safe today!
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Evening updates, March 22, 2011

9 pm – it has been a long, interesting day. I am signing off for the evening, and will be back as soon as I have my coffee, get the gennie started, and get my day started in the am. Not going to be early, I don’t think. I’m getting a little tired. I’ve lost track, but I think it has been a week tomorrow. It started raining about an hour ago, but so far, relatively gentle, but now the wind is picking up. Great. Good night.

First, Pacific Valley School schedule for Weds. 3/23:

I’m forwarding the weather advisory that was emailed to us by Ron Eastwood at the Monterey County Office of Education. As a result of his email Raeanna at Pacific Valley School has decided to start school at
10:00 a.m. and be dismissed at 3:00 p.m. This is a safety measure to insure students and staff can arrive safely. If you feel as though the weather conditions are not safe we will certainly understand if you do not send your child to school. Some students have been sent home with home study packets so they should be continuing ahead on them. Since we’ll be starting at 10:00 we will not be serving breakfast but will serve lunch at 12:15 – 12:30 p.m.

Bus Times are: Morning Glory pick up at 9:15 a.m
Lucia pick up at 9:20ish a.m.
Cal Trans pick up at 9:50ish a.m.

Please adjust the afternoon drop off time with the bus leaving PV at 3:00 p.m. and heading south first then going to Lucia/Morning Glory.
Thank you for bearing with us during these winter storms.

Lisa Gering
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Second, a flash flood watch has been issued. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WATCH .. LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST AND SOUTHERN MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COAST.

THIS IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
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And here is the “good” news (kate being facetious)
SATL IMAGERY IS INDC THAT THE SYSTEM OFF THE CENTRAL CA COAST (NEAR 37/129) IS MOVING ENE AT THIS TIME…AND IS INTENSIFYING.

MODELS BEGIN THE RAIN THIS EVENING…WITH THE RAIN BECOMING MODERATE…OR EVEN HEAVY AT TIMES OVERNIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. EVEN THROUGH THE TPW`S ARE LESS THAN ONE INCH…THERE IS STRONG ISENTROPIC LIFT…WHICH IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS. THEREFORE…RAINFALL RATES COULD BECOME EXCESSIVE. THEREFORE…A FLASH FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE COAST AND COASTAL MOUNTAINS FOR LATE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY (ALSO INCLUDING THE NORTHERN SALINAS VALLEY). WINDS WILL BECOME GUSTY TONIGHT…BUT SHOULD REMAIN BELOW ADVISORY LEVELS. NEVERTHELESS…DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES… ESPECIALLY IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH THE SATURATED SOILS ARE VERY POSSIBLE. THE NAM12 IS INDC A DECENT AMOUNT OF INSTABILITY WED AFTN AND EVENING…SO HAVE ADDED THUNDER TO THE FORECAST ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

RIGHT ON THIS SYSTEMS HEELS WILL BE THE NEXT UPSTREAM SYSTEM WILL BRING WARM ADVECTION RAINS STARTING WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THIS SYSTEM COULD EVEN BE STRONGER THAN THE SYSTEM TONIGHT/WEDNESDAY. RAINFALL COULD BE EXCESSIVE AT TIMES…SO IT WOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE IF ANOTHER FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS ISSUED. WINDS WILL BE GUSTY WITH DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES ONCE AGAIN.
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March 22, 2011 bigsurkate is up and running again
Okay, wordpress decided to go into cardiac arrest or something in the middle of the rumors and facts of a new slide on the south coast. I was unable to post for over 3 or 4 hours – and went into withdrawals. How could I keep people posted? Phone calls increased, and if CBs were still in fashion, I would have used that. There are lots of ways to get the word out, but the phone and email seems to be the primary.

My current advice about the south end of highway one is that it is moving in several places. Willow Creek Maintenance Crew is doing their usual stellar job, for which they have our undying gratitude. However, they do not work after dark, so try to get through before then. Secondly, Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. is in great shape, but is not advised for travelers as it is quite dangerous and unforgiving.

Lastly, be aware, be informed, and be prepared. I carry in my Commander a sleeping bag, an emergency first aid kit I bought for the Amazon (away from pharmacies, except Mother Nature’s), water, a battery operated lantern, snacks, and miscellaneous articles I would want with me if I were stranded. I suggest you get your own kit ready for the duration.

I have an article I wrote today that I will put up later tonight or tomorrow.

Now, I will update road conditions, weather reports, and the like before I get dinner ready.
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Evening/Morning Updates, March 21-March 22
Pacific Unified School District is holding classes tomorrow as usual. We have a break in the weather tomorrow, so a good time to run to get needed supplies. River Inn has reinstituted its locals nights, with $9.95 lunch/dinner choices (3 each night) until April 15th. A great time to meet/greet your neighbors and enjoy a meal together.

bigsurkate will be keeping to an abbreviated schedule the rest of this week, probably 9am – 6 pm in order to conserve my power sources until the weeked. Each evening I will be signing off with an “evening/morning updates” post like this one so that if something comes in while I am offline in the evening or morning, and it is something the community should be notified about, it can be posted in the comment section of this post below. If you have NEVER left a comment before, or have changed your email/computer/location, it will need to be approved before it will post, therefore forward it on to a regular reader/poster and ask them to comment for you.

Be safe, warm, and dry, and enjoy the short break we should have tonight and tomorrow. See y’all in the morning.
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March 21, 2011 Available Resources
Here is a photo taken of the slip out taken today by a reader. Thanks, Simon!

Rocky Creek, 3/21/11 by Simon Eagar

1:00 pm – IMPORTANT NOTICE! Steve Price and Caltrans has sent out a formal notice through the chamber requesting CHP begin enforcing the ban on pedestrian access across the Rocky Creek slide area. Caltrans will reevaluate conditions and access options daily, but for now, pedestrian prohibition remains in effect and will be enforced by CHP. Additionally, this is what the 1 pm PIO notice said:
“• Crews assessing the roadway have tentatively determined that it will be nearly one month until April 16 for a temporary repair to occur. All businesses along the coast on Hwy. 1 remain open. Alternate routes include Highways 101, 68 and 46. More rain is expected in the Monterey Bay Area this week. Condon-Johnson & Associates of Oakland is the contractor for this $2.5 million emergency project and is currently mobilizing for a temporary repair to allow traffic on the roadway as soon as safely possible. They plan to drill vertical soil nails tomorrow to further stabilize the remaining roadway section. It continues to be unsafe for vehicle and pedestrian traffic and remains closed to public access. Continuous updates will be provided as more information becomes available and/or conditions change.”

11:00 am – Looks like it may snow on and off all day. Whether it sticks will be the next question.

This is the most recent I have for Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. from CHP
9:40AM TRAVEL ADVISORY IN PLACE, NOT RECOMMENDED TO TRAVELLERS
9:40AM NACIMIENTO FERGUSON FM FT HUNTER-LIGGETT TO SR1 NOT CLOSED

10:00 am – received a report that the South Coast Ridge Rd. and Nacimiento (west side only) while scattered with trees was passable. Quite slippery in spots, but my son made it out to Lucia. Whew.

AS OF 9:30 AM PDT MONDAY…RADAR IS INDC SHOWERS…SOME LOCALLY HEAVY OVER THE DISTRICT AT THIS TIME. SATL IMAGERY IS INDC THAT AN MID/UPPER LEVEL VORT IS SWING THRU CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

SHOWERS AND A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TODAY AS AN UNSTABLE AIRMASS CONTINUES OVER THE DISTRICT. THE 12Z NAM12 IS INDC THAT THE SHOWERS WILL INCREASE THIS AFTN WITH SUN BREAKS PROVING SURFACE HEATING…THEREFORE INCREASING INSTABILITY.

Bottom line is that the first week of spring will be wet, stormy, and unpredictable.

9:00 am – blue skies visible among the clouds, snow has stopped for the moment, but have several inches on the ground.

8:30 am – Major snow event started before dawn and is continuing. It is dumping a lot of snow up here, and if this keeps up, will be up to 6 inches of accumulation in a couple of hours! PLEASE do not use Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. unless you have serious mud/snow tires and/or chains. It is going to be a problem up near the summit, I suspect. I should have reports coming in later, but for now, if you need to go to town – choose Cambria. Thank you. At 6 am, Avis indicated there was a tree down on N-F Rd., closing it for the night, but as of right now, it is not listed on the CHP site. Despite that, please use an alternative route, it could be treacherous.
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March 21, 2011 Serious Snow, 3/21
Here is a photo taken of the slip out taken today by a reader. Thanks, Simon!

Rocky Creek, 3/21/11 by Simon Eagar

1:00 pm – IMPORTANT NOTICE! Steve Price and Caltrans has sent out a formal notice through the chamber requesting CHP begin enforcing the ban on pedestrian access across the Rocky Creek slide area. Caltrans will reevaluate conditions and access options daily, but for now, pedestrian prohibition remains in effect and will be enforced by CHP. Additionally, this is what the 1 pm PIO notice said:
“• Crews assessing the roadway have tentatively determined that it will be nearly one month until April 16 for a temporary repair to occur. All businesses along the coast on Hwy. 1 remain open. Alternate routes include Highways 101, 68 and 46. More rain is expected in the Monterey Bay Area this week. Condon-Johnson & Associates of Oakland is the contractor for this $2.5 million emergency project and is currently mobilizing for a temporary repair to allow traffic on the roadway as soon as safely possible. They plan to drill vertical soil nails tomorrow to further stabilize the remaining roadway section. It continues to be unsafe for vehicle and pedestrian traffic and remains closed to public access. Continuous updates will be provided as more information becomes available and/or conditions change.”

11:00 am – Looks like it may snow on and off all day. Whether it sticks will be the next question.

This is the most recent I have for Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. from CHP
9:40AM TRAVEL ADVISORY IN PLACE, NOT RECOMMENDED TO TRAVELLERS
9:40AM NACIMIENTO FERGUSON FM FT HUNTER-LIGGETT TO SR1 NOT CLOSED

10:00 am – received a report that the South Coast Ridge Rd. and Nacimiento (west side only) while scattered with trees was passable. Quite slippery in spots, but my son made it out to Lucia. Whew.

AS OF 9:30 AM PDT MONDAY…RADAR IS INDC SHOWERS…SOME LOCALLY HEAVY OVER THE DISTRICT AT THIS TIME. SATL IMAGERY IS INDC THAT AN MID/UPPER LEVEL VORT IS SWING THRU CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

SHOWERS AND A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TODAY AS AN UNSTABLE AIRMASS CONTINUES OVER THE DISTRICT. THE 12Z NAM12 IS INDC THAT THE SHOWERS WILL INCREASE THIS AFTN WITH SUN BREAKS PROVING SURFACE HEATING…THEREFORE INCREASING INSTABILITY.

Bottom line is that the first week of spring will be wet, stormy, and unpredictable.

9:00 am – blue skies visible among the clouds, snow has stopped for the moment, but have several inches on the ground.

8:30 am – Major snow event started before dawn and is continuing. It is dumping a lot of snow up here, and if this keeps up, will be up to 6 inches of accumulation in a couple of hours! PLEASE do not use Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. unless you have serious mud/snow tires and/or chains. It is going to be a problem up near the summit, I suspect. I should have reports coming in later, but for now, if you need to go to town – choose Cambria. Thank you. At 6 am, Avis indicated there was a tree down on N-F Rd., closing it for the night, but as of right now, it is not listed on the CHP site. Despite that, please use an alternative route, it could be treacherous.
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March 20, 2011, Spring Equinox Weather Photos from around Big Sur
Debbie Reed sent me one of the Big Sur River she took today.

Big Sur River, 3/20/11 by Debbie Reed

(couple more for you as soon as the internet goddess allows)
Okay, I give up. I had a couple more, but I have been trying to upload the one I took of Cone Peak covered in snow this afternoon, and the upload is beyond slow. Sometimes, it has gotten all the way to 77% uploaded and then stalled for 10-15 mins. I give up for now.

Cone Peak on the Spring Equinox

This is yesterday’s view, and as soon as the cloud goes away from the top of Cone Peak today, I’ll take another.

That is Prewitt Ridge in the foreground, and today, it is covered in snow!

Spring Equinox clouds by bigsurkate

Spring Equinox Sunset by Jeff Parrish

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March 20, 2011, Spring Equinox Storm
And from our BS Health Center:
Posted by Sharen Carey, PA-C

The Big Sur Health Center will remain open for appointments during its usual hours of 10:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 5:00.pm, Monday through Friday.

If you have an urgent medical need after hours, please call our number, 667-2580 and listen to the entire message. As always, we will continue to have an MD on call to offer advise. If it is determined that your need cannot wait until the next regularly-scheduled business day, local medical personnel will be contacted to assist you.

In the event of a true emergency, please call 911 for the ambulance to assist you.

In the meantime, remember to plan ahead for medication refills so that your requests can be handled during regular working hours.

I travelled Nacimiento-Ferguson Road on Saturday and the road was challenging dodging rocks, trees across the road and oncoming traffic in my lane. The road closed for a short time on Sunday due to a large downed tree. During these rains, we suggest you plan to go south through Cambria. If you don’t need to travel to the Monterey Peninsula for other reasons, health center staff can call your prescriptions to either Cambria Drug and Gift or to Cambria Pharmacy.
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From our BSVFD Chief:
Already I am hearing stories of speeding cars and near misses on Nacimiento Fergusen Rd. Please, please drive slowly and carefully!! This is a very narrow, winding road, with extremely steep cliffs and in many places only one car width wide. You could at any time encounter rocks, trees, animals or another vehicle right around the corner. Public works personnel could also be out doing road work.

It has now become our major thoroughfare in and out of Big Sur for a lot of us. Highway 46 from Cambria takes approximately 50 minutes longer to get here and is much more safe.

When going through Hunter Liggett if you do not obey the speed limit you will be ticketed, this is a federal ticket! They have told us in no uncertain terms when we are over there for wildland school they will ticket us even if we are in our fire engine, they mean business!!

And lastly, neither I nor my Brigade members need to spend anymore time than we already do standing along the road waiting for the ambulance to pick you up, (best case scenario) or coroner, (worst case) because you were in a hurry. We have other things to do with our lives. So Please Slow Down!!!!!!!
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**PACIFIC VALLEY SCHOOL CANCELS SCHOOL FOR TOMORROW, MONDAY, 3/21 DUE TO DANGEROUS CONDITIONS, BASICALLY. (1. Rocky Creek Slide; 2. Closure on N-F Rd. today; 3 Threatening road closures to the south; 4 Continuing storms with more heavy rain and high winds; 5. Difficulty for Dave Allan to make it to school from Carmel; 6. Difficulty for Joyce Duffy to make it to school from Stone Ridge due to rock slides; 7 The continuing illness of the principal/superintendent; and lastly, 8. the potentially dangerous road conditions for the bus and parents trying to get children to school.
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*IMPORTANT* CHP REPORTS NACIMIENTO OPEN AT 12:13 PM. PLEASE POST IN COMMENTS ANY INFORMATION YOU WISH TO SHARE, RATHER THAN SENDING IT TO ME, AS MY SYSTEMS ARE ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY TODAY. (SEE BELOW) (I did just get my back-up gennie working, but that is a bit iffy with electronics.)

Apparently, neither County Roads nor the special page set up by Monterey Communications has been updated since Friday afternoon, so don’t rely on them. I suggest you monitor the CHP site for road conditions, NOAA for weather conditions, and the comments here for an idea about what is going on around our community. My systems are unreliable at the moment.

Another 2-3 inches of rain expected in the next 24 hours in these mountains, and another high wind advisory for this afternoon. You know what? I think I’ve had enough for today.

11:00 am -As happens, when all hell breaks loose, all hell breaks loose. I have not been able to get the generator going, and my phone/internet/computer batteries are drained, so I am currently sitting in my car, with the inverter plugged in, charging all my systems. Not sure how much rain I got last night as the rain gauge blew apart and away. Checking other containers, it looks to be about 3 inches, but can’t tell for sure. I did get the gauge back together and up, and noted that between 8 am and 10 am, I received 1/2 inch. I will be checking what I can while I sit here getting warm and recharged, and hope you are all fairing as well as can be expected. Please feel free to leave a comment or two about conditions where you are, as I will only be able to be online today on and off, not as I usually am.
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March 19, 2011 – Up close & personal with Mother Nature
7:30 pm – this from the NOAA discussion site: “WE SHOULD POINT OUT TOO THAT IT`S BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE WE`VE SEEN A WELL DEVELOPED COMMA CLOUD/DRY SLOT SIGNATURE LIKE THE ONE PRESENTLY SEEN OFFSHORE SO BE PREPARED FOR STRONG…POSSIBLY DAMAGING…WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAINS BOTH ON THE WATERS AND ON LAND TONIGHT AND SUNDAY.”

The gennie is out of fuel, and so I am down for the night and hunkered under the down comforter, with silk long johns, and Egyptian Cotton sheets. In Big Sur, no less. How lucky am I?

Anyway, all 8 photos are up, so scroll down to view them. I am going off line for the evening, but will start up again at around 9 am, assuming all systems are a go. Nite all, and enjoy the storm.

6:30 pm – URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
154 PM PDT SAT MAR 19 2011

…A POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM MAY PRODUCE STRONG AND DAMAGING WINDS FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON…

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

5:00 pm – Just found this on today’s San Luis Obispo Tribune. “Resilient Big Sur residents tend to become used to all this. As Kathleen Novoa, Big Sur’s cyber town crier at http://bigsurkate.wordpress.com, wrote in her blog Thursday morning, ‘We will Sur-vive. We always do.’” Cyber town crier? How funny.

2:30 pm – still uploading photos, but in the mean time, I received a road report on Nasty-Fergy an hour or two ago from my son, who drove up the front side from Highway One to the summit. No slides, but plenty of rocks on the road, some about melon sized, so be careful. The next storm coming in tonight and tomorrow will result in even heavier rain, particularly in the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia Mtns. Brace yourselves.

11 am – continuous rain, sleet, snow, but not yet sticking, although it is beginning to get slippery outside. Still uploading photos, but I did warn it would be an all day process. I haven’t had a chance to update the weather reports, but they are not looking good. My SLO forecaster is predicting 3-5 inches of rain in the coastal mountains. That is not good news for the increasingly fragile state of the south end of the highway, nor for the fixing of the Rocky Creek slip out.

9 am – I have received amazingly only an inch here since yesterday morning when I left for parts east and west. I say amazingly, because what I drove through yesterday was easily an inch an hour in many places and at many times. There was snow this morning at 8 am, but it did not stick.

A couple of quick notes, MST district is attempting to see what can be done to provide transportation to and from the slip out. Also, Monterey County is looking to declare this an emergency so that special funds might become available.

I tried to upload some photos taken by local Cal-Trans worker Brandie Kirby, and by our local CHP Officer Ben Grasmuck last night, but was unsuccessful. So, I will try today throughout the day. I have 3 from Ben, and 5 from Brandie. Brandie’s are high resolution, so they took a long time to download, and will take even longer to upload, but they are worth it. Those probably won’t be completely uploaded until this evening, unless I get a very good fast burst of internet.

I am very confident that I speak for the ENTIRE community when I say to both of you, and your fellow workers, you are greatly appreciated, respected, and honored by this community. During times like this, all of you have to put up with so much, under difficult if not impossible circumstances, and we appreciate you more than you can know!

3/17/11 at 2:27 pm by Ben Grasmuck

Okay, one at a time. The next one will be uploaded shortly, but check back throughout the day for news and photos, but I haven’t started the gennie yet, waiting for a break or for my battery power to give out.

3/17/11 at 2:12 pm by Ben Grasmuck

3/17/11 at 8:32 am by Ben Grasmuck

Weather not only affecting the road, it is affecting my internet!! Still trying to get all the photos posted. I had to resize Brandie’s as they were WAY to large. Will see what I can do.

These next five photos by Brandie tell quite the story. Each will be marked with the date but the time metadata is incorrect, as one fully daylight photo is marked with 10:30 pm. Without seeing the camera, I cannot guess as to whether it is just the am/pm or some other time discrepancy.

3/15/11 by Brandie Kirby

3/16/11 by Brandie Kirby

3/16/11 by Brandie Kirby

3/16/11 by Brandie Kirby

3/16/11 by Brandie Kirby

**********************************************************************

March 18, 2011 – ET Phone Home
8:30 pm – well, that was the longest 12 hour town trip I’ve had in a while. Besides what I reported below, it started snowing on South Coast Ridge Rd. and covered the road and the surrounding area with snow. Been a long time since I drove in the snow, and in the dark, too? I can’t remember the last time, if I ever have.

People driving on N-F Rd. are idiots, they don’t believe in staying on their own side, so be very cautious around the turns. As I said in one of my posts, MoCo is on the road coverage this weekend. Saw the grader this morning and talked to the guys. This evening, saw the grader parked at the Ranger Station near the summit, so available to go east or west. Yay!!

I will be checking on the necessary reports, updates, etc. and then I have some photos to upload from this morning. My day was too busy.

Everyone, check-in here with reports of where you are, what is happening, and keep us all advised of conditions as they develop.

If you have been following me today, you know I am on the road, picking up my Jeep in Watsonville. I am currently stopped at the intersection of 218 and 68, heading back to 101, King City for supplies, gas, and home.

I just went through a down pour between Moss Landing and here that was a nightmare. Highway One was awful. 218 is flooded. I hydroplaned once.

I have emails re conditions in CV and elsewhere, which I cannot respond to right now. I need to get to King City asap, and then home. When I do, I will post again. In the mean time, all ETs out there – phone home below in the comments.

Will check back in when I get home.
***********************************************************************

March 18, 2011 – Open Letters to the Community
Dear Big Sur residents,

For some of us here we are again, for others this may be your first extended road closure.

The Fire Brigade met with Cal Trans, some business representatives, the Chamber of Commerce, CPOA, CERT, St. Parks, and the USFS yesterday. Before going into the meeting I had spoken with Sheriff, AMR and CHP representatives. Most of you have seen the email from the Chamber by now regarding the highway. I wanted to address other possible questions, in particular public safety, that you may have.

First I would like to address medical emergencies, including vehicle accidents. AMR, (American Medical Response) will still respond 24/7, the ambulance is stationed at our firehouse for all emergencies requiring an ambulance. CALL 911 as usual!!
Depending on where the emergency is located we have plans in place for transportation, it may be that the patient will need to be transported to Cambria or King City depending on the circumstances. AMR has made sure we will have a crew staffing the ambulance, and has been in touch with Cal Star helicopter and Cambria ambulance making them aware of our situation.

USFS has some crew members and engines available in the remote chance we have a vegetation fire, but more importantly they will help us with a structure fire if needed.

SO is making plans to have a deputy come down and stay here until we get one lane open. They immediately started sending over units to cover from King City the day the road went out. Today they brought down one of the rescue trucks which is being staged at the firehouse if needed.

CHP is also planning on having an officer stay in the area for the duration.

State Parks has rangers here who are peace officers in the off chance something happens while we are between shift changes with CHP and SO.

CERT members are available if needed, they will also be sending out an email to possibly try and schedule town trip needs.

and as always your friendly Fire Brigade members will be responding if needed!

I have spoken with PG&E and they will be sending down a truck and crew starting Saturday night and through Sunday when the worst of the storm is expected. After that they will evaluate conditions to determine if they will continue to stay on longer.

At our meeting yesterday we also discussed things like fuel, garbage, propane etc. As the road is open and passable to the south, my understanding is it will be business as usual.

An email has been sent out regarding any medical needs and medications from the Health Center.

The schools have plans for Captain Cooper and the High school students.

The Post Office hours will be 10:00 to 2:00 PM, with mail delivery as usual. (Not confirmed but I was told that Fed Ex would deliver but not UPS.)

We will have another meeting with Cal Trans when they have more information and after that we may schedule a community meeting. We will do our best to get information out via emails.

Thank you to all the agencies for so quickly stepping up to the plate to help us out. It is very much appreciated.

And last but not least thank you to Cal Trans for all your work, everyone please be careful out there driving, look out for Cal Trans units working in the road way!

Please feel free to call the Fire Brigade with any questions I may not have covered here, 667-2113. Meanwhile, enjoy the quiet time and be safe!

Thank you,

Martha

Martha Karstens
Chief
831-667-2113 W
831-595-9461 C
***********************************************************************

From the Big Sur Health Clinic:

At this point, we have no idea how long the road will be closed. If you take routine medications, it is very important that you take steps now to assure that you don’t run out.

If you receive your medication via mail order, check your supply and order refills well in advance. We have been advised that the mail will continue to be delivered.

If you don’t already receive your prescriptions via mail, now is the time to start! Contact your insurance company and make arrangements to set up your mail order plan, then contact the health center to get your prescriptions ordered.

If you do not have the capability of accessing a mail order pharmacy, it is extremely important that you check your supply of medications and contact your pharmacy to request refills now!

An alternative option, to avoid driving all the way to Monterey, is to select either Cambria Drugs or CVS in King City, then advise the health center staff to change your pharmacy location. It is important that you take care of this now to avoid running out. Do not wait until you are down to the last day or two as refills may not be completed in time to coincide with your trip to the pharmacy.

The Health Center remains open and available to you at this time.

Sharen Carey
Big Sur Health Center
***********************************************************************
From CHP Officer Ben Grasmuck:

I just wanted to add a few things to your post(s). We were very lucky we didn’t lose one of the Caltrans maintenance crew workers yesterday. They were standing on the southbound lane when it started to give way. They are often under appreciated, but the Big Sur and Willow Creek crews are some of the hardest working and dedicated workers the state has.
I want to personally thank all of the locals I talked to today. As frustrating as this is, (most) everyone was understanding and trusted Caltrans’ judgment that the road cannot be declared safe until they test the soil under the northbound lane. It may be okay to drive across the lane and shoulder, but there is no way to know that right now. Next week they will drill some holes and see what is under the northbound lane. Until then, the road will likely be closed for all traffic (vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian).
I was able to take a few more photos with a real camera (the others were taken with my iPhone). I love the irony of the “Rock Slide Area” sign.

Ben Grasmuck
***********************************************************************
From Big Sur Chamber of Commerce:

This afternoon (3/17/2011) at 3:00 PM, a number of community members ranging from Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, CPOA, CDPR, USFS, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, CERT, and various residents and business members met in an ad-hoc meeting with Steve Price, District Division Chief – Maintenance and Operations for the Department of Transportation District 5 (Caltrans). At that meeting, Steve Price conveyed the following information:

Caltrans full focus and number one priority at this time is to restore access to one lane (the north bound lane) of Highway 1 at the slide location. Given the time requirements to conduct geotechnical analysis and to award an emergency contract, the current best case scenario is to accomplish this goal within one month. Thus, for planning purposes the community should plan on Highway 1 being closed to the north for at least one month. Following the completion of the one lane opening, the second lane opening would become the next priority, though the planning and execution of that stage would likely require a significantly more extensive planning and execution period.

If weather or other environmental conditions or the underlying site conditions make it impossible to restore access to the north bound lane, then a far more complex and time intensive planning period will unfold to install an appropriate viaduct, bridge, or other constructed solution to restore access to both lanes of Highway 1. Steve Price stated that he has full authority and access to funding resources to award appropriate emergency contracts to effect these repairs, both short and long term, so the biggest hurdles appear to be the underlying geological stability of the site, the potential impacts of upcoming weather events, and the time and effort needed to properly study and prepare engineered solutions.

All contractors on the Highway 1 projects between this location and Cambria will be advised that they must not plan for any closures that would result in Highway 1 being closed both north and south at the same time.

The closure at the Rocky Creek is a hard closure and until further notice will not be able to accommodate any vehicle traffic including emergency vehicles.

Nacimiento-Ferguson road is currently open and in very good condition. Monterey County Public Works is committed until further notice to inspecting and maintaining this road twice a day. Caltrans, though, is recommending that the general public use Highway 46 as the primary access between Highway 101 and Highway 1.

The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce will continue to regularly interface with Caltrans and other agencies associated with the efforts to reopen Highway 1 and will provide updated information reports as new information becomes available.

Thank you.

Kirk Gafill
President, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
**********************************************************************************************************************************************

March 18, 2011 – Road & Weather Updates
3:30 pm – here is the latest from Cal Trans: “Crews assessing the roadway have determined that it will be at least one month for a temporary repair to occur. All businesses along the coast on Hwy. 1 remain open. Alternate routes include Highways 101, 68 and 46. Heavy rain is expected in the Monterey Bay Area this weekend. A drill for geologic monitoring is at the location and crews are actively looking for any hillside movement. An emergency contractor will is on to begin planning and mobilizing for this temporary repair to allow traffic on the roadway as soon as safely possible. Continuous updates will be provided as more information becomes available and/or conditions change.”

11:00 am – here is the current Nexrad, and while we are getting some sprinkles over here on 101, and we can see there is rain on the coast, but the big rain is coming, and I sure hope I beat it home, but suspect I won’t.

10:30 am – here is NOAA’s prediction re today, but remember there is a big one coming Sunday, also.

“AS OF 10:30 AM PDT FRIDAY MORNING…A 992 MB LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OFF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA COAST WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE SLOWLY SOUTH THROUGH THE DAY. AN ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT IS APPROACHING THE NORTH BAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE REGION THROUGH LATER THIS AFTERNOON. HEAVY RAIN…THUNDERSTORMS…AND STRONG WINDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN OBSERVED WITH A LINE OF PRECIPITATION AHEAD OF THE FRONT. THIS ACTIVITY WILL SHIFT SOUTH THROUGH THE DAY… IMPACTING THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS…MOVING TOWARDS THE MONTEREY BAY LATER THIS AFTERNOON.”

10 am – I wrote a lengthy update this morning about 7 am, but my internet connection went bonkers, and I lost it. I did not have time to recreate it before Rock Knocker showed up to give me a ride – a very long ride – to Watsonville to pick up my Jeep. So now, I am on Jolon Rd. on the way to King City. We did see the county crew and stopped to speak with them. They will be working N-F RD all weekend during the upcoming storms. I also saw the mailman at 10 am on Jolon RD. Yay!

Lots to catch up on from last night and this morning, and will be working on that as much as I can on the way to Watsonville. Thank goodness I don’t get car sick!

I also have a number of photos from Ben Grasmuck, CHP, and Brandie Kirby, CT, to upload today, as well. Ben has an open letter he would like me to post for him, which I will do.

BTW, Rock Knocker says it will be interesting to see which gives out first – Mud Creek (I’ve covered that pretty extensively already) or the Elephant’s Trunk. That is the slip out between the county line and Ragged Point.

One more BTW, Gas in KC is 3.98 a gallon for the middle grade.
***********************************************************************

March 17, 2011
3:15 pm – Sorry to be posting so many times today, but this is important enough to rate its own post. Per a phone conversation I just had with Colin Jones of Cal-Trans, people should expect the road to be closed for at least a month. Current plans are to try to find a way to open it up first to a single lane, but again, that won’t happen for a month or more. If you scroll down to the second post below this one, there are many photos which explain why that is. What gave way is the cribbing, and that is the original cribbing from the original convict construction in the 30′s. This particular spot has been trying to let go for some time – it has nothing to do with the tsunami, recent storms (although they could have contributed), or many of the other rumors I have heard.

Also, Colin states this current closure includes both bicycles and pedestrians. It is simply closed to all. First, per all reports I have heard, the road is still moving, the NB land is cracked and unsafe. Second, Colin reminds us that if CT and/or CHP have to deal with any traffic of any sort, it will simply delay the opening even more. We, as the people most concerned about getting this open, should support every effort to do so as quickly as possible. Let’s let them work.

Once CT gets one lane open, possibly by digging into the hillside, then they will work on a permanent solution to the problem. Colin suspects there will be almost daily updates for a while, and I have put him in contact with the Monterey County Communications Center, so all of this information can be centralized for us.

Also, as many of my north coast neighbors will be using N-F Rd and Ft. Hunter-Liggett for the next month, let me remind you of some things, and inform you of others. Last year, the fort moved back the front, Jolon gate, and removed the guard from the back, Los Padres gate. Also, as traffic increases, traffic control will as well, and the post law enforcement officers have always been a bear about enforcing the speed limit and other traffic laws, such as cell phones. The bridge is in good shape, and should be used instead of the river crossing. Having gotten a speeding ticket once, a long long time ago, I can tell you it is literally a federal offense, and if you want to fight it, you might end up in Florida. I tried, as I was NOT speeding. The ticket never went on my record anywhere outside the fort, but my right to drive on the fort was suspended for one year.

At least one reader and one caller have asked for directions on taking the Nacimiento-Fergusson route. Anne Ashley sent me the google maps instructions, which I reviewed and they appear accurate. It is:

Going South from Big Sur Valley on Highway One:

Turn left at Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd
About 44 mins
go 24.2 mi
total 27.9 mi

Turn right to stay on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd (Ed. this is a kinda lopsided “Y” and you are turning onto the right arm of the y.)
About 2 mins
go 0.8 mi
total 28.7 mi

Turn right at Mission Rd
About 6 mins
go 2.9 mi
total 31.6 mi

Slight left to stay on Mission Rd
go 0.3 mi
total 31.9 mi

Continue onto Co Rd G14/Jolon Rd (as Suzi Perry notes below, turn left here for King City, and right for Paso Robles and points south. Both directions will put you onto 101)
About 31 mins
go 17.6 mi
total 49.5 mi

Turn right to merge onto US-101 S
About 1 min
go 0.7 mi
total 50.1 mi

Take the exit toward King City/Broadway
go 0.2 mi
total 50.4 mi

Merge onto Broadway St
go 0.2 mi
total 50.6 mi

Turn right at Broadway St/Co Rd G13
About 2 mins
go 0.9 mi
total 51.4 mi

Turn right at S 3rd St (Now, I’m not sure if this is specific to the Safeway, which is what it sounds like, but once you to to this point, you are good to go.)
go 95 ft
total 51.4 mi

Personally, I would prefer Morro Bay as a town trip.

So, remember, we are all guests and should behave as we would like our guests to behave.

March 17, 2011

5:30 pm – this just received from Monterey County Communications Center:

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/PR_BigSur/

“This is what we have so far, I was not able to confirm the mail information, our Office of Emergency Services will do that tomorrow, as well as look into the UPS and gas supply question.
I hope what we have gotten is helpful. We will update tomorrow. I am working on getting a webmaster on standby next week when the weather is bad, in case things break late.”

I just checked out this site, and it looks extremely helpful. Looks as if this will be updated during the day, and possibly after hours as is necessary. Maia Carroll deserves the credit for getting this up and running so quickly. If you need or would like additional information, post below, as she is watching this post. Thank you all for pulling together and making sure that accuracy, openness, and sharing are a big part of who we are as a community! Kudos, everyone!

Monterey County Communications Center is busy setting up a dedicated page in order to keep people informed of this fluid situation. They have asked about what information would be of assistance, and this is what I have written:

“What we need to watch is the two remaining avenues out. N-F Rd. which is critical to residents has already closed a number of times this winter. Keeping it open and keeping informed on an HOURLY basis during the coming storms will be crucial. Keeping informed about the coming storms themselves will also be crucial. (Ed. note added later – this road is already county responsibility so information should be easy to obtain.)

There is a new slip out between the county line and Ragged Point that has seen considerable movement lately, and that bears watching, also. Staying up-to-date with that each evening and each morning is also important.

Also, concerns about mail, trash, business deliveries, schools, whether a “parking area” of sorts can be safely established near the slip out. UPS deliveries is also a big concern.

Coordinating information about all these services could be invaluable.”

If there are other concerns you have that you would like to see the County address, please leave a comment below that the County can then consider. Thank you.

March 17, 2011

7:30 pm – and so, I bid you goodnight on this eventful St. Paddy’s Day with this photo I just took. This is what I see when I am seated in my chair, in front of my computer, iPhone at hand, reporting as I do. Now you know my secret.

Sunset through the back door, 3/17/11

6:00 pm – The SLO Tribune has put together a photo gallery of three of these photos and a couple from Cal-Trans. It may be viewed here:

SLO Tribune

2:15 pm – and here is a very different angle taken by Justus Newman yesterday, only an hour or so after the slip out. Thanks to Justus and to Rob Weller, who sent it my way!

by Justus Newman, 3/16/11

2:00 pm – here is a photo taken by Colin Maxwell from the north end today:

Rocky Creek Closure by Colin Maxwell

In recognition of the problems created for our tourism industry, I have changed the title of this post, but the reality is we don’t know when this closure will be sufficiently stable to allow even one lane open for the public – it could be one week, it could be one month. However, there have been several years in recent memory where the road was closed for several months – Hurricane Point and Carmel Bridge come to mind – and that is a possibility in this case, also.

Here are a couple great shots from our resident CHP Officer, Ben Grasmuck. What wonderful shots, Ben. As he says regarding travel in the foreseeable future, “Everything is up in the air, figuratively and literally.” He also reports that the NB lane has cracks in it, and is not safe, either. What a ride, huh?

Rocky Creek Slip out by CHP Officer Ben Grasmuck

Rocky Creek slip out by CHP Officer Ben Grasmuck

1:45 am – I consulted with my reliable road source, and he says this will take a while to fix. It appears that the cribbing gave way, based on what he saw in the third photo below. He also suspects that the only way to fix this will be with tie-backs, as is being done at Dani Creek, near Lucia. I took photos of that just a few days ago and planned to post them, so will do that later so that all of you have an idea what might happen. In the meantime, I want to upload some photos sent by our resident CHP officer, Ben. Thanks, Ben!

10:30 am – this is Cal-Trans official press release sent out just a few minutes ago:

• Due to severe roadway damage to the southbound lane, Hwy. 1 is closed indefinitely north of Big Sur and south of Carmel at Rocky Point (PM 60.05). Crews are assessing the roadway to determine a repair strategy. All businesses along the coast Hwy. 1 remain open. Alternate routes include Highways 101, 68 and 46. An update will be provided as more information becomes available and/or conditions change.

Here is a photo of the slide taken by Matthew Kahlar and sent to friends of mine:

9:00 am – I spoke with a very harried Martin at the post office this morning who informed me that a decision has not been made about the mail, and that he would not be able to discuss it in any event. I then called Frank, the Postmaster in Monterey who informed me that frantic discussions were going on, but the logistics are so complicated a decision may not be made today. Contracts, vehicles, routes, and coordination with San Jose all have to be resolved before a decision would be made. In the past, it has come over N-F Rd. once a week, but this time they are discussing Cambria Post Office, as well as one to the East. I will do what I can to stay on top of it.

8:30 am – lots going on. Businesses trying to make arrangements for deliveries expected today, residents making plans for stocking up, staying with friends in town, or whatever needs to be done.

This is not something new. Hurricane Point closed for 4 months, shutting us off to the North. And remember 1983? The big slide cut the coast in half for over a year. We will Sur-vive – we always do.
Mail may only come once a week, but it will come. Tourists will come from the South and love the peace and quiet they find here. Locals will skate down the middle of the road (grins) and enjoy.

The forecasters are predicting heavy rain on Friday and Sunday, and this could impact the two remaining paths out of Big Sur, although both Cal-Trans and County Rds. will be working hard to get Highway One to the south open, and Nacimiento-Fergusson to the east open.

Here are some news photos my son sent me. Not sure which agency, but when I find out, I will give credit.

Also, my friend at NOAA has sent me some point and click links for weather forecasts for the specific area around the Rocky Creek slip-out which I will post here, as well as add to the link section to the right.

7-day forecast for 9 miles north of Big Sur

Very cool detailed forecast graphs

My personal favorite forecast page

5:00 am -If you saw the photos of this slip out, you already know this will not be an easy repair. Current information is that the highway will be closed for months, making trash pick up, mail, school, and town runs quite challenging. Alternatives are being pursued as stated by Rain, from the State Park, in her comment on the post below. Thanks, Rain!

I will update at a more reasonable time this morning.

March 16, 2011:

The most incredible photo is in the Herald. I’m on my iPhone so not sure I can copy but here is the link, and if that doesn’t work, navigate from the link on the right under “news”
cid:image001.jpg@01CBE425.7BE095F0

http://www.montereyherald.com/portlet/article/html/render_gallery.jsp?articleId=17629879&siteId=570&startImage=1

The southbound lane of Highway 1 about 2 miles south of Rocky Point is gone and so is the majority of the northbound lane in Big Sur on Wednesday. (ORVILLE MYERS/Herald Correspondent)

Here is a link to a written report from KSBW but it doesn’t really add anything to what we all ready have and with that, at 9:30 pm, I bid you a good night. I’ll keep on top of this story tomorrow.

And from KION this photograph:

Here is KION’s link, which includes one more photo, as well as a report on conditions. KION

Everyone should keep in mind that the South Coast portion of Highway One is very fragile. We have a major slip out at Lucia being repaired, and there have been numerous slides at Mud Creek south of Gorda, as well as another possible contender for a closure going on between the county line and Ragged Point. My trip down N-F Rd. last Friday revealed it was in pretty good shape on the front or coastal side, but won’t know about the back or inland side until this Friday, and will report then.

Remember, many of our biggest slides and longest closures have happened in the Spring.

7:00 pm – one unconfirmed report is in that this will be closed for 5-7 days. I have not been able to verify this. FWIW, CHP says: “EMERGENCY VEHS CAN PASS AT THEIR OWN RISK”

At 5:04 pm, when I originally got the email from Soaring, and then again at 5:15 pm, when I got the call from a friend in town, nothing was on the CHP website. Now it says:

5:45PM 1039 ENTAC
5:44PM 1039 MTRY CTR
5:41PM POTENTIALLY SEVERAL DAYS IF NOT LONGER TO BE CLOSED
5:41PM 22B-CALTRANS ALSO EXPLORING IDEA OF USING PRIVATE AXESS RD JEO HWY 1, UNK IF AVAIL
5:41PM CALTRANS CHANGINGMESSAGE BOARD JSO CARMEL, UNK DURATION OF CLOSURE BUT IS LONG TERM
5:41PM HARD CLOSURE NB AT BIXBY AND SB AT PALO COLORADO
5:39PM 22B-1097, JSO ROCKY CREEK BRIDGE APPROX 40 FT SECTION OF RDWY TOTALLY GONE, CALTRANS 1097, CLSOURE IN PLACE
5:17PM PER CALTRANS, THEY ARE WORKING ON RDWY HOWEVER WANT UNIT TO CONFIRM THIS IS LONG TERM CLOSURE
5:16PM CONFIRM W/CALTRANS 1 LN RDWY CLOSURE FOR IMPROVEMENTS
5:13PM 1039 27-S7, SEND B WATCH UNIT
5:11PM PER RP 3/4 OF THE RD HAS GIVEN WAY
5:11PM RD CREW FLGMEN 1097/NO RADIO CNTACT

Highway 1 is closed by Rocky Creek, Post Ranch had an employee who was driving to town was turned around and had to come back to Sur. The road dropped 6 inches, and isn’t safe to drive on…. 5pm Weds. March 16, 2011. South bound lane, north of Old Coast Road, between Bixby and Rocky Creek. (Original report by Soaring, CHP is claiming 15 inches, but either way, it is serious.)

Also got a call from a friend who had clients down here who couldn’t get home to Carmel.

FWIW, when Rock Knocker and I drove this section on Monday, he was cackling over the drops and predicted this would happen.

Per CHP this section of the road dropped 15 inches overnight. SB lane pretty bad. Hard closure at
Just a personal observation – if CT can’t get one lane safely opened before dark, the road will be closed for the evening and work will resume during daylight hours.

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2 Responses to “Rocky Creek Road Closure”

Just a word of caution on the use of Nacimiento-Ferguson Road for those that may have not experienced it. It is very very steep and consists of mostly very tight, decreasing radius turns making it nearly impossible for trailer traffic and difficult for large truck traffic.

The coastal side from Hwy 1 to the summit of the road is very dirty as of Tuesday 3/15 when I was on the road. Lots of rock, gravel, and sand in the corners and will only get worse as traffic increases. This will decrease safe turning and stopping traction for both cars and especially motorcycles.

During this time I would urge all drivers to use the utmost caution and pay close attention, look for, and expect, a great deal of motorcycle traffic. Like car drivers, most are courteous and safe, unfortunately some are not. It’s that time of year and I can speak from personal experience and knowledge, many riders will take advantage of this time to ride Highway 1 and N-F road because of the expected reduction in tourist traffic.

To the locals, I apologize in advance for any and all unsafe motorcycle traffic that you might experience. Those of us riders that do not partake in such behavior do our best to educate and pass the word to fellow riders but for some, it just doesn’t sink in. I think it’s safe to say the same exists for a portion of the car driving public, as well.

Many car drivers along Hwy 1 are very gracious. I suspect those that I often encounter are probably locals that utilize the highway far more frequently than even myself. The gracious act of simply pulling to the side only when it is safe to do so and preferably on a highly visibile straight section allowing a motorcycle to pass safely will only garner great respect from even the most grizzled rider which truly helps in creating a symbiotic relationship between all of us riders and drivers that share the beauty of these roads.

Happy motoring!

Tim Foley

Tim Foley said this on March 17, 2011 at 10:43 pm

Love this page Kate and love riding California Highway 1. Using GoogleMaps I tried to locate the two closure points and the slide area and GM can’t find the information provided. Is there information with the Lat/Long of these three locations or a map showing the three points? Thank you.

Tim said this on March 22, 2011 at 6:38 am

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Rocky Creek Road Closure

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