Please, if you have seen my many photos and travel details at VivaBaja.com, or here on Baja Nomad... and there are some unanswered questions you
have...
Or, is there some place you are interested in or some historical information I might have in my library I can look up for you...
Please ask away!
BUT... Don't ask me where the LOST MISSION is!!!Mexitron - 2-9-2005 at 10:47 PM
I have a request: I need someone to drop me off in the San Pedro Martir so I can hike south to the Matomi area, and then pick me up at La
Huertita.
Actually, I always wanted to do that hike.....that's got to be some country in there--Blue Palms and lava mesas meeting the southern flank of the pine
forests.4baja - 2-10-2005 at 07:19 AM
weres the coldest beer in baja?David K - 2-10-2005 at 08:30 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by 4baja
weres the coldest beer in baja?
That's easy... In YOUR cooler!!!
David, Is it possible to-------
Barry A. - 2-10-2005 at 09:43 AM
drive south down the west side of the Laguna Salada, along the base of the Sierra Juarez, and eventually pop out on the pavement of the Ensenada/San
Felipe highway? I believe that it used to be possible, but have not heard any recent news---------also, if possible, can it be done in a normal
4-wheel drive vehicle (as opposed to a "rock-crawler" speciality vehicle)? BarryDavid K - 2-10-2005 at 11:40 PM
Hi Barry,
I am going to outline what I understand from reading Neal Johns, Baja Ken, and others as I am not familiar with the area south of El Mano Canyon (Baja
Almanac Map 6, U-6)....
You can continue on south to the bottom of the 'Summit' road (below El Jamau) Map 8, V-2...
There you have intercepted the WWII Pole Line Road... which you take east along Arroyo Jacuegel and eventually meet Arroyo Grande... Map 9, Y-2.
The easiest route out is to go northeast to La Ventana, on Hwy. 5, but there is an older road not on the Almanac that has been used for off road
racing which will take you south to Hwy. 3 about 15 mi. west of Hwy. 5... or another road that takes to straight to Hwy. 5, near El Chinero mountain
(north side).
The road shown in the Almanac following Arroyo Grande back west and south to San Matias Pass is blocked by a dam.
TheSquareCircle knows the region very well... I invite him or anyone who has traveled the area to verify or post better details.David K - 2-10-2005 at 11:49 PM
Here is the area I mentioned above (Pole Line Road)David K - 2-10-2005 at 11:55 PM
Here is a close up of the critical junction just north of LA PALMITA to get you to the Pole Line Road at the bottom of the Jamau grade ('The Summit').
This is from Neal Johns' notes...
Arroyo Grande South Exit
YZ400 - 2-11-2005 at 02:22 AM
David,
Do I understand you correctly that the Arroyo Grande Road going south to HWY 3 at Choyall (North enterance to Laguna Daiblo) is blocked by a dam?
I am about to try that in about a weeks time on a bike with a buddy. I'm going to try going down El mano via Laguna Hanson as well.
Good timing with your question Barry.
Thanks,
Nadim John M - 2-11-2005 at 06:13 AM
I was on a part of the section David is referring to with Neal Johns this past December (bottom of Summit, pole line, canyon el enmedio). I wouldn't
say that it is quite as straightforward as the map, and comments by David might make it seem. I'd suggest a bit further research. In fact, Neal and I
were talking about very this route just yesterday, map books in hand, but I'd rather not comment as I am not familiar enough to keep you from getting
messed up. Perhaps Neal would see these posts and comment. On the other hand, being in a 4x4 might make the route finding seem a lot more challenging
that it would be to a bike rider.
[Edited on 2-11-2005 by John M]Neal Johns - 2-11-2005 at 07:42 AM
Anyone wanting maps of the area south of Laguna Salada email me (large file .jpg). I am aridneal at earthlinkdotnet
I bet you can fix that address...David K - 2-11-2005 at 08:30 AM
Neal, how about the question of the Arroyo Grande road? Can you get to San Matias Pass or is there a dam blocking the way? Can a motorcycle get around
the dam, if it blocks autos? Thanks!
Photo of Neal's truck on the Pole Line Road... Marian driving...
Laguna Salada
YZ400 - 2-11-2005 at 08:50 AM
Neal,
I just e-mailed you.
Thanks,
Nadim
Thank you David, and Neal, and others----
Barry A. - 2-11-2005 at 11:23 AM
Neal----
I will e-mail you shortly-----am very interested in your maps, and counsel.
Barrypappy - 2-15-2005 at 07:43 PM
mexitron-so, when we going to do that hike??!!!Mexitron - 2-15-2005 at 08:31 PM
Whenever we can find a driver pappy! Have to be in a wet season so we don't have to carry water....hmmmm, right about now is sounding good....too
busy at work though, and the cat has some nasty asthma/allergy thing going on--4 pills a day--brutal.....ever tried to get a pill down a cat? yankeeirishman - 2-15-2005 at 08:45 PM
John Steinbeck. "The Log from Sea of Cortez". If you have read this book, there is a reference to a hunting trip they took with a local rancher. It
provides information of a spot where getting to it, was "crawling on their hands and knees on a very narrow ledge, only to meet a great plateau with a
waterfall. I assumed this was very near San Felipe! Any ideas from the Baja Guru? I would love to locate this old trail. If you haven?t read this
book, then do!!!!Mexitron - 2-15-2005 at 09:48 PM
Great reading Steinbeck, eh?! I think they're near Puerto Escondido, below Loreto, which would put them in the Sierra de la Gigantea. There's a
drainage in the area named El Peloteado which looks like its on a "great plateau". That's my best guess. Thanks for reminding me about this
fantastic book, its time to reread it!yankeeirishman - 2-15-2005 at 10:23 PM
The book reverts anyone into a instant explorer during the reading! I said San Felipe because as they are going the coastline port by port in the
book....it is very near SF. Correct me if I am wrong, PLEZ! You know, those few pages of the hunting party, just grabbed me by the ass! I have to
repeat history!bajalou - 2-15-2005 at 10:33 PM
Mexitron - pappy
Be glad to help getting you into the san Pedro Matir - Matomi or wherever
Not much good on getting you out the other side tho.
yankeeirishman - 2-15-2005 at 10:49 PM
Found it David!
John Steinbeck.
The Log from Sea of Cortez.
Paper Back edition 1995
ISBN 0 14 01.8744 8
So now, go to pages 131 and follow on.
We're talking in the area of Puerto Escondido
You have to take me along this on your first journey! Will meet you.
[Edited on 2-16-2005 by yankeeirishman]Neal Johns - 2-15-2005 at 11:49 PM
David K, sorry I am a little late.
There is a four foot rock "dam" across a narrow spot several miles above the entrance (where the race course road crosses it on the Baja Almanac map)
to Arroyo Grande . I suspect it is to prevent drug runners from zooming up and down the arroyo rather than to hold water but am not sure. There was no
water behind it several years ago.
You could lift a motorcycle over it, but be aware there is a gated ranch several miles before you get to Hwy. 3. David K - 2-16-2005 at 08:58 AM
Yankee, in my older paperback Log, it is on page 161 where they ..." crawled on all fours..." Thanks for looking.
Neal, so the rock wall or dam does prevent any 4X4s from getting to San Matias Pass in Arroyo Grande, it sounds... Then you say Rancho Arroyo Grande
has gated the road, as well....?
So, other than leaving the Pole Line Road back north or going NE to La Ventana on Hwy. 5... can you or have you taken the roads south to Hwy. 3 (used
by SCORE years ago) or SE to Hwy. 5 near El Chinero mountain?Neal Johns - 2-16-2005 at 09:58 AM
Yes, David, I have taken the race course road south to El Chinero and Hwy. 3. but not for years. There is a washout but two people say there is a way
around it.yankeeirishman - 2-16-2005 at 10:03 AM
You found it David K. Now....it is these few pages that convinced me to move to Baja! The thrill of exploration is ALMOST better than fishing! Let me
know if you zero in on this hiking path, would like to do that with you on the first exploration (that is, if you havent been there already!).David K - 2-16-2005 at 10:18 AM
No, I have camped at Puerto Escondido (in '76 before they closed the place to make the half finished marina), but to go fishing from... We drove down
to Ligui mission site and up to San Javier mission that trip.
Have you seen the Exotic Canyons & Matomi canyon photos in my web site or trip reports here on Nomad? That is all very close to your San Felipe home.
I suggest you meet BajaLou, he is a great amigo and will be happy to tell you about more places. Get Bruce Barber's book '... of Sea and Sand' (listed
in my Notebook) for lot's of area side trips... including the search for the Lost Diaz Grave! I posted the chapter from Choral Pepper's book on this
legend, as well.yankeeirishman - 2-16-2005 at 11:21 AM
Am meeting with BajaLou next time in SF. He;s offered to pay for the dinner Thanks
for all that good info. Mexitron - 2-16-2005 at 06:09 PM
Thanks for the offer Bajalou--we might just take you up on that one of these days! Won't be this season I don't think though--busy putting in
landscapes till June, but if there's a way this would be the best year to do it....should be water everywhere.....pappy and I are still planning a
backpack trip to Arroyo Grande in March or April though, you're welcome to join us.bajalou - 2-16-2005 at 06:38 PM
Sounds like a great trip Mexitron, Don;t know if these old bones are in shape for a hike like that but I sure would like to if they were. Need any
help from around here just let me know.
(I'll admit I don't drive a Taco though, just VW's and Fords)pappy - 2-16-2005 at 08:46 PM
mexitron-oh gosh i hate to say this,but...are ya havin' trouble puttin' something in that puss???!!Mexitron - 2-16-2005 at 09:01 PM
pappy - 2-17-2005 at 06:45 AM
in all seriousness, i hope you get Indy healed up and back to good health.perhaps a trip to the desert will do it(it works for us!)later....
Yikes!.......
Debra - 2-17-2005 at 11:17 PM
This thread reminds me that I still have "Sea of Cortez" that belongs to Mike H. (I could lose my library privledeges! :no ......Sorry Mike, I'll get that back to you.
Question
academicanarchist - 2-18-2005 at 05:36 AM
Yes, I have a question. When are you going to add the diagrams I scanned for you to the web site?David K - 2-18-2005 at 10:23 AM
Robert, as I have said before, only my web host has access to my site to prevent me from accidentally messing it up since I do not know HTML.
Anyway, he has everything and it will be added when he has time...
Matomi - David K
John M - 2-23-2005 at 02:40 PM
Ok David, why don't you lay out a trip with this in mind. Leaving Gonzaga mid morning wanting to see the sights of Matomi area, (so a one night camp
out along the way is fine with us) continuing to San Felipe the following day. If you'd like, you can throw in a few gps points. Never been there,
what to see?
Thanks in advance
[Edited on 2-23-2005 by John M]
A custom tour for John M, with map...
David K - 2-23-2005 at 07:25 PM
Okay, like this???
GONZAGA TO SAN FELIPE via MATOMI and PARRAL PASS to the Sulfur Mine (Map Datum NAD27 Mex.)
6) In Arroyo Matomi, junction with Llanos de San Fermin road going north: 30?29.78'/ 114?50.12'
7) Rancho El Matomi (waterfall filled swimming hole down path): 30?27.40'/ 115?04.82'
Backtrack 5.2 mi. to junction with road north to Valle Chico.
8) Turn left/north and climb up, out of Matomi canyon: 39?29.63'/ 115?01.52'
9) In Valle Chico, junction with road east along fence line then go into Ca?ada el Parral ('Azufre Pass') to near the sulfur mine, on the old
Puertecitos road: 30?35.19'/ 115?04.02'
(For a faster trip to San Felipe, continue ahead on the Valle Chico road)
10) The old Puertecitos road, turn left, north: 30?41.51'/ 114?46.42'
11) Sulfur Mine (on old Puertecitos road): 30?43.10'/ 114?46.66'
Continue ahead on the old Puertecitos road to San Felipe or take road east to Hwy. 5 near Bahia Santa Maria, just north of the mining valley, for
faster trip.
12) SAN FELIPE Pemex (south): 31?00.91'/ 114?50.56'
......Sorry Mike, I'll get that back to you. 