A rare dusting of snow was spotted high in the mountains above the Big Sur coast Wednesday morning as Caltrans crews continue clearing debris from a closed stretch of Highway 1.
Caltrans captured the moment on Feb. 18 and shared it on a social media post.
Caltrans crews are working to clear debris brought down by recent storms, resulting in the closure of the 6.8‑mile segment near Regent’s Slide, which had fully reopened just last month.
Work continues on Regent’s Slide section of Hwy 1
Caltrans announced on Feb. 17 that the 6.8‑mile segment near Regent’s Slide must stay closed until rainfall eases enough for crews to safely remove debris from the overtop catchment area.
The falling debris overtopped the concrete barriers on the northbound shoulder, which allowed debris and rocks to travel directly onto the highway.
While the slope above the roadway at Regent’s Slide remains stable, Caltrans officials say the catchment area at the base of the slope has filled with debris that has eroded during recent rains.
“This erosion activity is an expected outcome following recent slide repairs and will continue as the slope seasons over time,” the statement continues.
The closure on Highway 1 spans from two miles north of Lucia to one mile south of the Esalen Institute.
Because cleanup depends on weather and on-site conditions, Caltrans has not set a time for a full reopening.
Know before you go
With ongoing roadworks and rain forecast for the region, motorists are advised to adjust their travel plans if possible and to drive safely. There are sign postings on Highway 1 before the closures.
Caltrans has several tools to check current road conditions. You can check Caltrans #Quickmap at QuickMap.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-ROAD for updates on road closures, chain controls, and more.
The Big Sur region is part of Caltrans District 5, which posts regular updates on its social media channels.
Monterey County also has a webpage where they post all current road closures due to construction and maintenance projects.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Snow spotted above Big Sur as Caltrans continues work on Hwy 1
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
