ROCKY CREEK IS OPEN TO BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC WITH A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, BUT ONLY TO AND FROM CARMEL
There is one other slide to the south of Big Sur Valley, thus thru traffic between Carmel and Cambria is not possible. Regent’s slide has been stabilized and work resumed. As of 9/22/25, Caltrans is now predicting the road will be opened by the end of March 2026, subject to winter rains and subsequent reactivation of movement in the slide. See the video I posted on 7/20/2024, to understand why HERE: https://bigsurkate.blog/2024/07/20/regents-slide-non-official-update/
Links for phone users who can’t see the links to the right without scrolling through two years of posts. I’ll start with just a few, but if you have others you wish to see here, let me know.
Interactive Highway Map with Mile Markers and slide names is to the right, under “Pages” first one *Big Sur Interactive Maps... if the following link doesn’t work. *Big Sur Interactive Slide Maps will answer any questions you may have about where something is in relation to something else.
Please see the attached DRAFT Plaskett Ridge Proposal document that describes the potential phases of the pilot project. I have also attached the Draft Design Narrative. Just to clarify, the Draft Design Narrative is a working document that is meant to help inform development of the proposal, it is not a final proposal. Once the final proposal is developed, an implementation plan would define on-the-ground actions, information and education needs, and monitoring.
Please share the following e-mail address for anyone who would like to submit written comments regarding the developing proposal:
Plaskett Ridge Designated Dispersed Camping System
Pilot Project Overview
The intent of this pilot project is to address impacts associated with visitor use along Plaskett Ridge Road while maintaining dispersed camping opportunities in a semi-primitive motorized setting.
The proposal is to designate a dispersed camping system on Plaskett Ridge Road that would be implemented, monitored, evaluated, and adjusted as needed. The proposal includes two phases, with implementation of the second phase dependent on monitoring outcomes from the first phase.
This is a developing proposal, and we are seeking public input to help design the dispersed camping system. The Design Narrativedocument is a working document that provides a starting pointto develop a proposal, it is not the final proposal. Once the proposal is developed, an implementation plan would define on-the-ground actions, information and education needs, and monitoring.
Proposed – Plaskett Ridge Road Pilot Project (Phase 1)
Designate 7 camping areas with a total of 32 designated parking areas.
Vehicle-based dispersed camping would continue to be allowed within the 7 camping areas, as long as vehicles remain in the designated parking areas.
Fire rings would be installed in approximately 8 locations that are easy to monitor from Plaskett Ridge Road. These are intended to provide options for groups to gather and use fire rings in safer locations, while reducing the impacts from user created rock fire rings in individual campsites.
Information and Education would encourage low impact camping, Leave No Trace, and Tread Lightly principles, provide information on alternative camping opportunities, etc.
A Monitoring Plan would identify trigger points that would indicate a need to move into phase 2 of the pilot. Phase 2 would delineate individual campsite boundaries associated with the designated parking areas.
Potential monitoring includes number of campsites (rock fire rings, disturbed areas), size of disturbed area, campsite boundary expansion, vegetation and soil trampling, vehicle encroachment into wilderness, erosion near dispersed campsites, visitor conflicts, illegal fires, occupancy and use patterns, etc.
Future – Plaskett Ridge Road Pilot Project (Phase 2)
If monitoring indicates that impacts from dispersed camping are exceeding thresholds or causing unacceptable resource or social impacts:
Designate and delineate the boundaries of individual campsites associated with designated parking areas. Designated dispersed camping within the road corridor would be allowed only in the designated campsites. Walk-in dispersed camping beyond the road corridor would be allowed.
In light of the reopening of Highway 1, the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council (BSMAAC) meetings will return to being in person only meetings. We commend Caltrans staff for their tireless effort and look forward to seeing everyone at the next BSMAAC meeting on February 6th at 10:00am at the Big Sur Lodge (47225 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920).
The gates at Regent’s Slide will open for a press release, per the gate guard and remain open after. It sounds as if they will remain closed until noon while they add the finishing touches of the bot dots, etc. Here is what you can expect to see. (Photos by Rhea Withrow)
Screenshot
As for me, I plan to avoid the zoo.
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that Caltrans will open the portion of Highway 1 closed by Regent’s Slide, starting at noon on Wednesday, January 14, months earlier than the estimated reopening date of March 30. The reopening restores full travel access along the iconic Big Sur coast and revives a vital economic lifeline for local business owners and residents affected by the closure.
“This reopening will bring much-needed relief to small businesses and families in Big Sur and the surrounding communities who have shown remarkable resilience and strength,” said Governor Newsom. “I’m grateful to Caltrans crews for delivering Highway 1 ahead of schedule—deploying remotely controlled heavy equipment, stabilizing slopes with thousands of steel reinforcements drilled up to 60 feet deep, and using cutting-edge monitoring systems to overcome extraordinary geological challenges while keeping workers safe. This vital corridor is the gateway to California’s coast and the lifeblood of the Big Sur economy—and today it’s restored.”
Sorry, I apparently got side tracked yesterday. I am still trying to process the murder of Renee Nicole Good. But here is the beauty I am blessed with, taken last week. I just never get tired of this view. How about you?
This is going to take some engineering corrective work or this ooze will happen each time we have storms.Clearly delaying any early opening we were hoping for. Edit: after thinking about this, it shouldn’t be hard to correct with some k-rails. Caltrans has had to do this with many slides before. Paul’s Slide is a good example.
