Ongoing Slide Keeps Route 36 Closed Near Devil’s Elbow
Devil’s Elbow Slide Highway 36 [Photo by Caltrans District 1]
Travelers on State Route 36 continue to face delays as Caltrans crews work to clear an active landslide east of Swimmer’s Delight near the Devil’s Elbow picnic area from mile marker 15 to mile marker 16.
The highway remains fully closed today, Monday, March 10, with work scheduled throughout the day to remove additional slide material. According to Caltrans District 1, the closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Vehicles will be allowed through between noon and 1 p.m. and after 5 p.m., though this schedule is subject to change.
Caltrans urges travelers to limit trips to essential needs only and to prepare for extended wait times. Emergency vehicles will be granted passage through the closure but may still encounter delays of up to 15 minutes.
The slide most recently impacted Highway 36 on March 4 and has remained highly unstable, bringing down additional rocks and debris as crews attempt to clear the roadway. Caltrans briefly reopened the highway under one-way traffic control on Saturday evening, but the slide remained active, forcing another full closure on Sunday morning.
Hazardous trees and loose rocks continue to pose risks in the slide area, prompting Caltrans to take a cautious approach to reopening. Travelers are advised to check Caltrans QuickMap for real-time updates on road conditions.
Earlier:
- Slide Closes State Route 36 Near Devil’s Elbow, No Estimated Reopening Time
- Slide Closes State Route 36 Near Devil’s Elbow Again
- State Route 36 Remains Closed Due to Active Landslide, Partial Reopening Expected Late Today
- Boulders and Debris Continue to Close State Route 36
- Route 36 to Open for Limited One-Way Traffic Saturday Evening, Full Closure Resumes Sunday Morning
- Route 36 Fully Closed Again Sunday Morning
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That picture really captures the slide better than any i have seen.
The crews just can’t catch a break with all the trees, rocks, mud, etc., sliding down onto the road. A very good picture of the slide. Rain in the forecast for Wednesday so hang on to your hat. With the ground saturated with moisture, more rain will send more down the mountain and on to the road.
When they rebuilt the dinsmore section the road was closed 8 to 5 with one hour open during lunch for 6 or 7 years. We have had some practice taking alternative routes
You might have alternate routes, but I think all of them take you longer than traveling on 36. I have traveled 36 for many years and I can’t remember that slide section being closed for so long. The weather report on here today states mother nature has more winter in store for us. I hope you can get out if need be.
Remember Confusion Hill did this on a regular basis, till they hung a tennis net over the whole hill! Cal Trans would let a few cars by at a time, but it was like Russian Roulette, every fourth card would get dinged by rocks. Good old days!
Down votes? For what? Where are these magical “Brigadoon” alternate routes? Nobody is wishing evil on anyone; it’s a tough situation.
Not many alternate routes that go very far east and west. Spur roads and loops, but all the way to I-5 or 101? Where? How? It’s essentially 299 or 36 in this area. What am I missing?
Oh, yeah, route 20 out of Ukiah? That’s a long haul.
Garberville – Alderpoint- Zenia- Hettenshaw Valley – Mad River Ranger Station on 36 to points East…
Thank you.
What about the one that took out 299 for months:
https://kymkemp.com/2018/03/03/a-look-at-the-big-french-slide-on-hwy-299/
that was a big pain in the neck.
Careful, the truth can get you down-voted!
What the heck truth was I referring to? Time for a nap. OK, that was a “flyer.”