El Coyote

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Did you ride the road past Rancho Las Truchas on the way to the park from Mike's? Does it circle around to El Coyote, or not passable? John

We did not go that way but have done it many times on motos. Don't think I would try it with my 4x4. We went in on old baja route moto only. Will be passing pictures to David hoping he has time to post. The old forest trail does come out in park. We only rode below park as to not cause problems. The best part was finding another route down it was so steep. I'm sure Ed knows what I mean by steep.

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper   Did you ride the road past Rancho Las Truchas on the way to the park from Mike's? Does it circle around to El Coyote, or not passable? John We did not go that way but have done it many times on motos. Don't think I would try it with my 4x4. We went in on old baja route moto only. Will be passing pictures to David hoping he has time to post. The old forest trail does come out in park. We only rode below park as to not cause problems. The best part was finding another route down it was so steep. I'm sure Ed knows what I mean by steep.

Larry's pics of the ride east from Rancho El Coyote, San Pedro Mártir

I think this is all of the first group of Larry's photos. Probably not in correct order, but I will number them and Larry can add what each number is showing, etc.

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8


#9


#10


#11


Larry, if I missed any, please resend just the missing ones, if you can.

Soon as you get time off lets plan a trip. My Nissan all apart getting big time make over for wheeling.

In photo #10, an ancient roadbed going up the mountain indicates history!

I asked Larry if it could be the old logging road to Corral de Sam, and he replied:

We should discuss its history. I was told yes logging road. Around 1978 big Strom took out road. When we where at Mike sky rancho in 1982 he told us. Don't even think of going on that bad track. Haaaa we want there next morning. It was tuff it is more easy now also with little bikes. Please tell any history you Know.

In the 1962 Lower California Guidebook (mileage figures edited to be from El Coyote, add 4.7 if from the observatory/ Meling road:

Using the road going east from El Coyote, the abandoned ranch of Cerro de Costilla is passed (2.5 mi). This was the site of a proposed lumber mill and the road beyond was built about 1950 to haul lumber from the mountains (but never used for that purpose).

It passes Los Encinos [original airstrip location for Mike's Sky Rancho, 1967+] (7.6 mi from El Coyote), and at 11.6 mi. is on a ridge with the deep Arroyo San Rafael down to the left (trout fishing).

Beginning at 13.8 mi. (from El Coyote) the road follows for 1.5 mi. the easy grade of the canal built by Harry Johnson about 1896 to transport water from Arroyo San Rafael to the Socorro mine. Then a very steep grade leads up to the ponderosa pine forest in the northern Sierra San Pedro Mártir, elev. 7,000 ft., in the area known as Corral de Sam, the road ending 18.8 mi. (from El Coyote).

Lumbering was never carried out here, and the road was not maintained; however, it was passable in 1960.

Here is the Lower California Guidebook map, with El Coyote and 'Sam' shown:

1967's Mike's Sky Rancho would be about the middle of the word 'Rafael' in 'Arr. San Rafael', on the 1962 map.

This is the 1972 map from the book Camping and Climbing in Baja. The placement of Mike's Sky Ranch is too far upstream and the road through Mike's is off as well. Other than that, Corral de Sam is shown as is Los Encinos and Cerro de Costilla. Concepción would become Baja Dark Skies Inn for a few years.


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Here is an older AAA map (1978-ish) and it shows Cerro de Castillo, the airstrip for Mike's (El Encino) and Concepción (Baja Dark Skies Inn)





[Edited on 6-23-2018 by David K]

More maps... see Corral de Sam near the top edge:



The 2003 Almanac, with my mileage notes after driving through Mike's in 2005. See Los Encinos and the abandoned San Pedro, on the logging road:

That does look like a total BLAST,,thanks for the pic and maps

Additional photo from Larry...

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

David you know your history about this old logging road. Very few people know about this. Anybody wanting to try it be warned. Only possible walking horse or Moto. .

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Much better on a dirt bike then boring bicycle that you can only go few miles a day. Then push it up the hills that is not riding.

If you want to continue being overweight, unfit, and keep those arteries plugged, you best stick to motorcycles

Where is that $10,000? Show me the money!