BajaNomad

ECR-2a) EL CAMINO REAL from space: SAN BORJA to SANTA GERTRUDIS (Sierra route)

David K - 12-23-2008 at 12:44 PM

On rainy days, I work on other projects... usually Baja and history related.

In the past, I have posted links to Google Satellite images of the missions and sections of the 'El Camino Real', the Spanish line of communication in Old California (today known as Baja).

Recently, more of Baja has been made available in higher resolution imaging and it is now possible to see nearly all of the old Camino Real from space.

Maps of the route of the Camino Real have been made by Howard Gulick, in the 1950's and also for Harry Crosby, in 1977. Howard traveled many sections of the Camino Real when working on the famous Lower California Guidebook c1956-1970. His maps can be viewed in my web page: http://vivabaja.com/ECR/page12.html

Harry rode on the Camino Real in the 60's and 70's and authored The King's Highway in Baja California... Harry's photos and maps can be viewed at this link:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160329013158/http://www.sandie...

The following photos are from Google Earth, which has the ability to drop down and look sideways at an image... giving one a three-dimensional effect '3-D', without special glasses!

The Jesuit Order (in Baja from 1697-1768) were the great road builders (with local native labor, of course)... and many sections of well-aligned roadbed across volcanic mesas are easy to spot, often running very straight, between points.
Because they were removed just a few years after establishing San Borja mission, very little advanced road work north of San Borja is seen. The Franciscans and Dominicans only did road building when required, such as to climb grades... other areas the Camino Real made after 1768 look no different than a cattle trail in most cases.

So, I started this project at San Borja and then traveled south... The photo images are looking southbound, just above the Camino Real, as if you were flying low above it.

I copied a topo map and labeled exactly where each of the photographs was taken, it is at the end. I made 12 images starting with #1 at San Borja and ending (for now) a few miles before San Sebastian. This is about 1/2 the distance to the next mission south, Santa Gertrudis.

Below the first 12, I have added photos and maps to show the Camino Real all the way to Santa Gertrudis.

I am in hopes that if you haven't yet begun to see Baja as a living history story book, you will! Imagine what it was like to walk or ride an animal for hundreds of miles over days and weeks just to get from one part of Baja to another!!!

ECR-1 (Mision Santa Maria to Mision San Borja) is here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=37019

ECR-2b (San Borja to Santa Gertrudis, Gulfo route): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36065

EDIT: Updated the link to Harry Crosby's maps and ECR details.

[Edited on 9-13-2017 by David K]

David K - 12-23-2008 at 12:49 PM

#1) SAN BORJA, looking south to the grade up to the valley.



#2) The grade up from the mission to the valley the large clearing is the old airstrip. The Camino Real runs straight along the right side of the strip, across the valley to a switchback up the distant mountain.



#3) Switchback up to the Mesa Compostela



#4) Along the mesa...



#5) Nearing the drop into the canyon containing Rancho Compostela...



#6) Nearing Mesa Redonda, a parallel section of the Camino Real soon joins in. Recent mine digs are all over this area.



#7) There is a mile wide low resolution (dark) strip running north & south between image #7 and #8 (Las Cabras). The terrain (lava) made road building difficult in some places.



#8) Las Cabras corrals on the old mission trail. Many such corrals are seen on the Camino Real. Las Cabras is noted on Harry Crosby's map and the Baja Almanac topo.


#9) Arroyo El Paraiso was a major obstacle to the padres and even today, as recent ECR rider 'Baja Bucko' can testify!
This is the north grade, top...



#10) After going along the bottom of this huge canyon for a couple miles, the Camino Real climbs up the south grade...



#11) Sometimes the lava just didn't allow for the normal road building through the entile section...



#12) Up on Mesa las Palmas, the trail will drop off the far end then follow the natural drainage to San Sebastian and on south.



Stay tuned for future additions!




[Edited on 12-23-2008 by David K]

David K - 12-23-2008 at 01:01 PM

Close up of the Camino Real area... The numbers are the photos/ satellite images... Number one is San Borja, at the top... another map is below after the next group of photos...



[Edited on 12-25-2008 by David K]

David K - 12-23-2008 at 01:13 PM

Harry's map:

5 more, moving south...

David K - 12-23-2008 at 06:48 PM

#13) Looking down at Rancho San Sebastian...


#14) Just past San Sebastian the old trail turns up along a small mesa. staying out of the sand of the big arroyo...


#15) Very hard to see the trail as it drops back into Arroyo San Sebastian...


#16) Nearing Rancho Tres Palmas...


#17) Along Arroyo San Luis, nearing Rancho Nuevo...


[Edited on 12-24-2008 by David K]

Map with locations of images 13-17 added

David K - 12-23-2008 at 09:26 PM



Photos #18 and 19 are also in this area... 18 is just east of Nuevo and 19 is just below Mesa Santa Cruz.

[Edited on 12-25-2008 by David K]

On to Santa Gertrudis!

David K - 12-24-2008 at 02:03 PM

#18) Just past Rancho Nuevo. Autos have used this section.


#19) Just across Arroyo La Sandia, at the base of Mesa Santa Cruz... very faint here.


#20) Crossing the east road to Santa Cruz


#21) Approaching La Union


#22) Crossing the El Arco/ San Francisquito road


#23) Crossing the short cut road between Guillermo Prieto and the San Francisquito road.


#24 Crossing Arroyo Los Algodones


#25) Climbing out of Arroyo El Duranzo and across Mesa Santa Teresa


#26) Dropping off the mesa and meeting the El Arco graded road


SANTA GERTRUDIS


MAP



[Edited on 12-24-2008 by David K]

Barry A. - 12-24-2008 at 02:19 PM

OUTSTANDING!!!! Thank you, David.

Barry

David K - 12-24-2008 at 02:26 PM

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Perhaps after the gang that coming tonight leaves after Christmas, I will work on the next section... to San Ignacio?!

David K - 12-24-2008 at 05:38 PM

I have edited some of the stuff, removed a couple maps that didn't add much info., etc.

As you can see from Harry Crosby's map, there is an alternate Camino Real between San Borja and Santa Gertrudis... rejoins/ branches near Santa Cruz/ Calmalli Viejo. This eastern branch is also known as the GOLFO CAMINO REAL.

I have found several pieces of it, but it is not quite as dynamic or complete as the central branch, shown above. There is also a western branch and the same is true of the Camino Real between Santa Gertrudis and San Ignacio (three routes/ branches).

So, you people who love this stuff... STAY TUNED!

[Edited on 12-27-2008 by David K]

Jack Swords - 12-24-2008 at 06:50 PM

Very nice David....hope it rains some more so you can concentrate on these projects.

David K - 12-24-2008 at 06:54 PM

THANKS A LOT JACK!:no::rolleyes::light::coolup:

I do hope to have some good stuff to share when we come back from our New Years trip, too!!:saint:

Jack Swords - 12-25-2008 at 06:51 AM

Great David! We're headed out this week to the reputed "garden" of the Mission of La Paz (about 100 miles away from the city) and will also have some photos etc. to share. Research seems to indicate another site to register with INAH. Looking forward to your newest contribution.

Sharksbaja - 12-25-2008 at 12:35 PM

Fascinating, thanx David.

Pompano - 12-25-2008 at 01:28 PM

David..once again great information and priceless Baja history. Well done y muchas gracias, maestro!

Paulclark - 12-25-2008 at 08:11 PM

Thanks for the work you have done. We are leaving tomorrow for San Juanico, then north to San Ignacio -- looking for sections of the Camino Real.

David K - 12-26-2008 at 07:36 AM

Hi Paul,

The Camino Real leaving San Ignacio in both directions is very easy to spot... just go out a ways and see if the road has the characteristics of the Camino Real and goes to the known spots... A few months ago I posted the images of ECR near San Ignacio...

David K - 12-26-2008 at 03:08 PM

Exploring Baja is great fun!

Seeing where people traveled over 200 years ago, and the roads they built to travel Baja is wild!

David K - 1-23-2009 at 08:35 AM

More rainy days... and no work for me :no:

So, I am producing the next section of the mission trail space photos: Santa Gertrudis to San Ignacio.

There are three routes (Pacifico, Sierra, and Golfo)... since I like Pacifico, I will show that one first! Stay tuned!:light:

rob - 1-23-2009 at 09:35 AM

Dave,

I bought the Lower California Guidebook (you talked about it on another thread) for $8 - it's pure gold! It even mentions our ranch (although just " . . .off to the left is Rancho Aguja . . ").

Outstanding Googling.

Pacifico - 1-23-2009 at 10:33 AM

David,

Are pretty happy with Geoeye? It looks great! I quickly looked at their website - I take it that it has to be purchased? Looks a lot better than Google Earth.

Thanks!

David K - 1-23-2009 at 03:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rob
Dave,

I bought the Lower California Guidebook (you talked about it on another thread) for $8 - it's pure gold! It even mentions our ranch (although just " . . .off to the left is Rancho Aguja . . ").

Outstanding Googling.


Yes, it is a classic... a superior work of research by the authors! I have every edition, they're great!

Copy of Copy of LCG page 178-9-r.JPG - 35kB

David K - 1-23-2009 at 03:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico
David,

Are pretty happy with Geoeye? It looks great! I quickly looked at their website - I take it that it has to be purchased? Looks a lot better than Google Earth.

Thanks!


Am I pretty happy with Geoeye?

I never heard of it before this... I checked it out and the sample I looked at (in Baja) was blurry up close...?

Google Earth for 3-D images and Wikimapia.org for straight down images... I can spend hours there... :wow:

David K - 2-15-2009 at 10:47 PM

The previous section, Santa Maria to San Borja (ECR-1) is here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=37019

The 'Golfo' Camino Real south from San Borja (ECR-2b) is here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36065

The next section south (ECR-3a): Santa Gertrudis to San Ignacio is here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36578 (The Pacifico route)





[Edited on 2-25-2009 by David K]

katiehem - 11-24-2009 at 04:39 AM

I didn't know Baja could be that wonderful. Thanks for sharing this one..

Regards,
katiehem
Pret travaux

David K - 5-13-2015 at 10:15 AM

Here is the INEGI topo map of the region areound El Paraiso Canyon and most of EL CAMINO REAL across this map is shown... (I added the labels for it):

güéribo - 5-14-2015 at 06:30 AM

Nice, David. Where did the map come from?

David K - 5-14-2015 at 08:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by güéribo  
Nice, David. Where did the map come from?


It is a close up of an INEGI topo map, and I added the 'El Camino Real' labels to it along the mission road.

Here is PaulW's thread on how to see ALL of the Baja topo maps, online... scroll down for newer links and full peninsula key map: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=77815

carlosg - 5-15-2015 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Close up of the Camino Real area... The numbers are the photos/ satellite images... Number one is San Borja, at the top... another map is below after the next group of photos...



[Edited on 12-25-2008 by David K]


Hi David,

This is a really interesting post, me and my family will be doing a "Central Baja Loop" (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=78833#pid9811...) in early fall and I have done some research as to where our path will cross the ECR, it seems like this will happen when we drive back from Santa Gertrudis, north of Miraflores, SSE from Cerro El Premiado on our way to El Barril, as I was following the ECR trail from Santa Gertrudis to San Borja I noticed that on the 2009 Baja California Almanac point #10 is named as "El Paraiso" instead of "Las Blancas" (names switched) The post "Las Flores" by "vacaenbaja" (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=57252) shares very interesting info on BoLA and will guide our exploration path on this trip as well. If you have any suggestions for our LOOP (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=78833#pid9811...) please share it, this will be an exciting adventure and education for our family specially for my children.

David K - 5-15-2015 at 03:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by carlosg  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Close up of the Camino Real area... The numbers are the photos/ satellite images... Number one is San Borja, at the top... another map is below after the next group of photos...



[Edited on 12-25-2008 by David K]


Hi David,

This is a really interesting post, me and my family will be doing a "Central Baja Loop" (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=78833#pid9811...) in early fall and I have done some research as to where our path will cross the ECR, it seems like this will happen when we drive back from Santa Gertrudis, north of Miraflores, SSE from Cerro El Premiado on our way to El Barril, as I was following the ECR trail from Santa Gertrudis to San Borja I noticed that on the 2009 Baja California Almanac point #10 is named as "El Paraiso" instead of "Las Blancas" (names switched) The post "Las Flores" by "vacaenbaja" (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=57252) shares very interesting info on BoLA and will guide our exploration path on this trip as well. If you have any suggestions for our LOOP (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=78833#pid9811...) please share it, this will be an exciting adventure and education for our family specially for my children.


Hola Carlos,

I am very happy to offer suggestions or provide data so your Baja vacation is as enjoyable and educational as possible!

Yes, the 2009 Baja Almanac does reverse the names. El Paraiso is indeed in Cañon El Paraiso, as the 2003 Almanac shows. My point #10 corresponds to the satellite image #10 in that thread, between the two ranchos, showing the Camino Real (a section of dashed line not on the Almanac map).

The Camino Real going north from Santa Gertrudis can be seen as it climbs up from the modern road just a mile or so west of the mission, as the road hugs the left hill (a sign was there 'El Camino Real a San Borja' once). Sat image #26.

The Camino Real can also be seen where the shortcut road to San Francisquito crosses it (Sat image #23) and where the El Arco/San Francisquito road crosses it (Sat image #22). The north side has been turned into an auto road to Rancho La Union.

On the 2009 Almanac, here is the Camino Real, in light blue highlight, between Santa Gertrudis and San Borja:





Here are the three places where it can easily be spotted crossing modern roads (if you drive slow enough):




The Vacaenbaja posts are of John Hilton's 1959 articles in Desert Magazine (and later in his book 'Hardly Any Fences', c1977 Dawson Book Shop #38.)

Let me know how else I can assist!