“I sure hope that guy with the house just to the south doesn’t work in Gorda which is just to the north. If so his commute went from 5 minutes to maybe an hour or more.”
Unless there is a secondary road up over the mountains behind, it’s not a 1 hour drive! from Carmel Valley to Cambria there are no roads east. If you have to go around, it’s at least a 3 hour drive (171 miles).
After I made the comment I looked a bit more on Google Earth. “You can’t get there from here” came to mind!
BTW - the name “Mud Creek” (where the slide happened) is almost as obvious as the name “Slide Creek” that problems will arise. (Or descend).
There is one. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.
It's advisable to call ahead to Ft. Hunter Liggett http://www.liggett.army.mil/sites/contactus.php if desiring to use the road across the base. At times, they close it off. I just looked at the Outdoor Recreation page, and the base appears to be open to hunters during the week -- after 5PM, till dark (and then some). I'd call Outdoor Recreation, first. Must have valid ID, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
If coming from inland, it would be no big deal to be turned away, but if stuck on the Coast near Gorda and needing to get out, better have enough fuel to get back to wherever on the Coast, then back again to Jolon, then King City. There may not be fuel available at Jolon anymore. I think years ago it was removed(?) but there used to be a store there that might have had gasoline. Otherwise, from Jolon, go North to King City, or East to 101, then South to San Miguel and Paso Robles for fuel, not counting what may be left at Gorda, if you like paying more than double for it...
If I still lived out that way, I'd probably be thinking of driving to Gorda area to bring food and fuel to people I know who live there...