BajaNomad

Jack Swords finds 285 year old El Zalate!!!

David K - 2-12-2007 at 10:29 PM

As promissed Jack returned to the site of the 1760 church at San Blas and continued beyond then hiked up the mountain in search of the 1721 visiting station of the La Paz mission, 'Angel de la Guarda'... also known as 'El Zalate'

These details in the Lower California Guidebook was the draw:

Beyond San Blas, a trail is reported to go to 'Angel de la Guarda' a visiting station of the La Paz mission. The 'visita' is also known as El Zalate and was established in 1721 by Padre Bravo at a pretty oasis near the top of the Trinchera range. A tiny spring feeds fruit trees and a palm grove (per Gulick in 1956).

See the newest pictures added to Jack's web page: Jack Swords' photos



To go right to the El Zalate & San Blas photos of 2007: http://vivabaja.com/swords/page12.html

[Edited on 10-15-2008 by David K]

Jack Swords - 2-13-2007 at 07:22 AM

Actually, Jack Swords and 2 friends who love hiking Baja had a great hike and were fortunate to encounter this site.

bajalou - 2-13-2007 at 08:01 AM

Great work Jack - Thanks and keep finding and reporting - it's great

Pappy Jon - 3-5-2007 at 07:03 AM

Somebody needs to get back up there and get cuttings off the fruit trees. If they really are from the Padre days the stock has historical significance and needs to be preserved/grown in a public garden ... like mine. :light:

PICS ?

CaboRon - 7-18-2007 at 11:23 AM

Hola Jack Sword, Do you have any pics you can post ??
Thanks, CaboRon

vandenberg - 7-18-2007 at 11:30 AM

Hey Larry, (Lencho )

What's that gold fish doing in a Baja thread :?::?::?::lol::lol:

bajajudy - 7-18-2007 at 01:09 PM

Jack, DK
Are there actually some zalate(fig) trees there? I didnt see any in the photos. There must have been at one time, eh?

vandy. the fish croked

Some more pics

Jack Swords - 7-18-2007 at 02:12 PM

Actually, DK has many more El Zalate photos posted, referenced in his first post on the subject. Yes, Judy, lots of Zalate trees, lots of thorns and spikes to get there. I won't post the bloody arms photos. Nice to find some folks who appreciate hard hiking...fun to share the experience with them.










[Edited on 18-7-2007 by Jack Swords]

One more (a test)

Jack Swords - 7-18-2007 at 02:21 PM

Haven't used photo upload for a while...another photo with amigo in right side of photo...lots of vegetation.

Frank - 7-18-2007 at 02:53 PM

I'm always amazed by what a little water can do. Thanks for posting the pics of your find.

David K - 1-9-2008 at 06:21 PM

Worth bringing up to the top... I wonder what Jack will discover this year???

David K - 10-14-2008 at 05:39 PM

Jack, anything new from early 2008?

Mexitron - 10-14-2008 at 06:44 PM

Hey Jack--guess I missed this post earlier--nice find--wish I could have been there--never have hiked in that area.

Jack Swords - 10-15-2008 at 06:57 AM

Well, G&G have mentioned a "garden of Mission La Paz" in a very old pueblo. It is also in a new gold mining area that is being developed. Still have much to explore above San Blas as it was G&G that pointed us there. We did find clay shards and other artifacts so it requires more hiking. Luckily there has been good rains and it's green and lush. Then, we need to get to the top of La Laguna from the east side, only got 1/2 way last year.

David K - 10-15-2008 at 07:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jack Swords
Well, G&G have mentioned a "garden of Mission La Paz" in a very old pueblo. It is also in a new gold mining area that is being developed. Still have much to explore above San Blas as it was G&G that pointed us there. We did find clay shards and other artifacts so it requires more hiking. Luckily there has been good rains and it's green and lush. Then, we need to get to the top of La Laguna from the east side, only got 1/2 way last year.


For those who would like to know what "G&G" is (Gerhard & Guilick)... Just the finest Baja guidebook ever written (1956-1970 editions and reprints):

nomad 018.jpg - 48kB

David K - 10-15-2008 at 07:47 AM

This was the 1975 updated and renamed version to include the Transpeninsular Highway and other major changes. Authored by Walt Wheelock and Howard Gulick...

books.jpg - 45kB