BajaNomad - Drone video of blue palm canyons

Drone video of blue palm canyons

GMann - 12-6-2018 at 12:02 PM

Hi,

I've been lurking on this forum for a while. I just came back from a trip to Baja and made this drone video of Blue palm canyons. The location was Rancho La Huertita, a little to the west of Matomi.

Hope you all enjoy it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ44dh4SyCE

IMG_2579Small.JPG - 239kB

David K - 12-6-2018 at 12:03 PM

Oh, awesome... welcome to Nomad!

[Edited on 12-6-2018 by David K]

GMann - 12-6-2018 at 12:11 PM

Thanks David.

And if people are interested in visiting this ranch, I can highly recommend it. The owners are amazing hosts.

David K - 12-6-2018 at 12:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by GMann

Thanks David.

And if people are interested in visiting this ranch, I can highly recommend it. The owners are amazing hosts.

Nice to hear... Nomads Mexitron, Pappy, Huddo, and the late Taco de Baja would begin their backpacking trips from there to climb Matomi Peak and other outings. Here is the web page of their photos I made to show: http://vivabaja.com/mexitron/

GMann - 12-6-2018 at 12:57 PM

Wow amazing! That must have been a difficult hike.

Great to learn about the history of previous adventurers there.

fishbuck - 12-6-2018 at 01:08 PM

I love those blue palm canyons...

StuckSucks - 12-6-2018 at 01:52 PM

Nice, thanks for sharing. Will watch on the big screen tonight when I get home. Palms are amazing things.

StuckSucks - 12-6-2018 at 01:56 PM

How does one find Rancho La Huertita? Lat/lon, por favor?

David K - 12-6-2018 at 02:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks

How does one find Rancho La Huertita? Lat/lon, por favor?

One road ends here: 30° 21.723'N, 115° 5.018'W
I just saw that the Google Earth images are now dated 2017 and there are a whole lot more roads in the area south and west of Matomi Canyon... interesting!

[Edited on 12-6-2018 by David K]

StuckSucks - 12-6-2018 at 05:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

One road ends here: 30° 21.723'N, 115° 5.018'W

It appears you access La Huertita from highway 1? Also, I found a La Huertita to the west of of the above lat/lon. Is this it?

advrider - 12-6-2018 at 07:45 PM

Good info, just might try to check it out this year..

BajaParrothead - 12-6-2018 at 08:09 PM

Thank you Gmann!! Nice footage and a great first post :light:

Just watched it on the 75" and it was spectacular!!

David K - 12-6-2018 at 08:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks

Quote: Originally posted by David K

One road ends here: 30° 21.723'N, 115° 5.018'W

It appears you access La Huertita from highway 1? Also, I found a La Huertita to the west of of the above lat/lon. Is this it?

Yes, off the road to San Juan de Dios, passing El Sauce de Carter. No access from Arroyo Matomi, the cliff is too high!

Thanks for sharing

drzura - 12-6-2018 at 09:56 PM

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing with us.

Mexitron - 12-7-2018 at 07:22 AM

Nice footage, that's a beautiful area, and right next to Arroyo Grande which will probably be good for a trek this spring if the rains keep coming.

GMann - 12-7-2018 at 08:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron

Nice footage, that's a beautiful area, and right next to Arroyo Grande which will probably be good for a trek this spring if the rains keep coming.

In fact the opening minute of the video is Arroyo Grande, here:

30°16'1.42"N, 115° 9'14.93"W

Then the middle of the video is at a Canyon close to the ranch lodging.

And then between 3:30-4:30 of the video is along an arroyo higher up in the Sierra Northeast of the ranch at:

30°20'41.98"N, 115° 6'30.73"W

That was my favorite because of the contrast of the color of the palms with the red earth.

David K - 12-7-2018 at 09:22 AM

GMann, I shared your video on my Facebook (Baja CA Land of Missions) page and someone asked if he saw hot tubs just before Minute 5:00?
I looked but only saw boulders and cardón cacti? I am not aware of any thermal springs in that area...?

GMann - 12-7-2018 at 09:53 AM

:lol:

No there was no hot tub. What they most likely saw was a water trough for the cows on the ranch.

ljprusko - 12-7-2018 at 06:10 PM

Great videos. Been motorcycling through Baja this last week doing a lot of droning and a few days ago found out that effective Dec 1, 2018 drones are now illegal in Mexico, in order to operate one you now must have a drone license, if you don’t have one it’s up to a 403000 (about $20000 US) fine. To get a drone license you must have been born in Mexico, attend a drone class, etc. Here’s a couple links:

https://mavicpilots.com/threads/new-drone-laws-in-mexico-tou...

https://themazatlanpost.com/2018/09/24/fines-of-up-to-403-th...

So bull crap.

[Edited on 12-8-2018 by ljprusko]

[Edited on 12-8-2018 by ljprusko]

gueribo - 12-7-2018 at 06:27 PM

Love it! Thanks so much for posting.

mtgoat666 - 12-7-2018 at 07:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ljprusko

Great videos. Been motorcycling through Baja this last week doing a lot of droning and a few days ago found out that effective Dec 1, 2018 drones are now illegal in Mexico, in order to operate one you now must have a drone license, if you don’t have one it’s up to a 403000 (about $20000 US) fine. To get a drone license you must have been born in Mexico, attend a drone class, etc. Here’s a couple links:

https://mavicpilots.com/threads/new-drone-laws-in-mexico-tou...

https://themazatlanpost.com/2018/09/24/fines-of-up-to-403-th...

So bull crap.

[Edited on 12-8-2018 by ljprusko]

[Edited on 12-8-2018 by ljprusko]

Any law that restricts drones is progress!
The buzzing of Drones is annoying!
Nerds that fly drones over others are causing noise pollution. Most drone pilots are perverts or nosy people peeking in windows and private yards!

ljprusko - 12-7-2018 at 09:24 PM

Life is short. I rarely go on this forum but am well aware of Goat and never waste time with people like him. Have seen this happen on many forums and my only comment is that it is absolutely wrong and disgraceful that the moderators of this forum allow him to continue to post. Completely not doing their job.

[Edited on 12-8-2018 by ljprusko]

ljprusko - 12-7-2018 at 09:38 PM

As an addendum to my original post, on a different forum am talking to guy who lives in Mx and drones a lot and he’s still trying to figure out if this new law applies to drones under 2.2 kg. This new law apparently leaves the weight requirement pretty vague.

bajapedro - 12-9-2018 at 07:33 AM

Very cool.
Thanks for the post.

GMann - 12-10-2018 at 09:08 AM

if that new drone law is real then that is a real bummer. There were so many more places I wanted to film in Mexico.

But it is very vague so hopefully it wont be enforced or wont apply to my tiny DJI Spark...

David K - 12-10-2018 at 10:21 AM

In remote Baja, or anywhere in Baja, just who will be enforcing this 'law'?
Most places to video with a drone don't have many people and especially don't have police. GMann and JZ are probably safe as to where they have been making videos, don't you think?

ljprusko - 12-10-2018 at 08:21 PM

I agree David, the law did come into effect Dec 1 but who’s going to enforce it when you’re in the backcountry? The drone weight requirements are very vague in the new law. I’m sure the new law is targeting larger drones that may interfere with airport traffic, or flying over government official properties. Hopefully they won’t be concerned with light civilian drones doing scenery shots. I’m on my way up in Baja and went through a couple military checkpoints and they didn’t say anything about my drone. But I still do have some minor concerns bringing my drone in next time in case I get the red light.

4x4abc - 12-10-2018 at 09:00 PM

here is what is known so far:
https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-mexico/

bowser - 12-12-2018 at 09:18 AM

GMann - Thanks for the great video!

I am looking to purchase my first drone and you have inspired me to just do it.

What kind of drone did you use? Any words of wisdom for a first time Baja drone buyer?

GMann - 12-17-2018 at 09:37 AM

I used a DJI Spark, which I would highly recommend. Get the fly more combo that comes with the remote and extra batteries. I'd also recommend getting the $59 insurance policy that DJI offers called "DJI Care Refresh". They will replace any damage to the drone, no questions asked, twice for 1 year after purchase.

Tips for new drone fliers (these are mainly specific to the DJI Spark):

-Get a sun hood so that you can better see the screen on your mobile phone. Most of the accidents I have had, the original cause was poor visibility on my phone due to sun reflection.

-Make sure you take off your drone in an area free from any obstacles like trees or roads. Because if it loses signal it will try to return and land at roughly that position.

-The distance monitor on the screen is the distance between the drone and your take off location, NOT the location you are currently standing in. So the drone might actually be a lot closer or a lot farther away if you have been moving your location during flight.

-Avoid flying in the fast "sport mode", not only is it much easier to crash but the video footage comes out very jerky.

David K - 12-18-2018 at 05:41 PM

Gmann, can you tell us more about La Huertita, for visiting the area? Do they welcome camping there, nearby, or is there other areas off the road that we can be close to the blue palms? Is the road to there still past El Sauce de Carter, right fork once across Arroyo Grande?
Do we ask for the rancher by name?
Thanks!

GMann - 12-20-2018 at 07:45 AM

David,

The ranch has a facebook page, here:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Rancho-La-Huertita/100009465...

The ranch owner is Ramon Adolfo Loya.

I actually went with a local guide called Victor Morales, whose facebook page is here:

https://www.facebook.com/Wildlife-Hunting-Services-138081886...

As far as camping goes, I have no idea. But they have lodging and provide very good services in terms of cooked meals, housekeeping, etc. So they might frown on camping on their property, I imagine they'd prefer to get paid for you to stay in their lodging (which is very comfy).

I cannot remember if the first place in the video (Arroyo Grande) is past their fence or before it, probably it is before it. But all the other places are definitely inside their fence.

You are exactly right that you make the right when you get to that final fork in the road (after crossing Arroyo Grande) to get to the ranch.

I am not sure how much they charge directly to stay there, because I paid the guide for a whole package. But you could contact them directly through the facebook page. I also have his business card with his direct email that I can pm to you. I don't think they speak English.

David K - 12-20-2018 at 08:51 AM

Thank you. I didn't know it was a hunting lodge with accommodations until this additional information and Facebook links. More and more cattle ranches in Baja are becoming eco lodges or cater to motorcycle riders or for hunting.

GMann - 3-7-2019 at 07:39 AM

The guide on the trip, Victor Morales, made a video of the same trip from his perspective. Lots of amazing videos of the big horn sheep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL5q4xt_lWg

David K - 3-7-2019 at 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by GMann

The guide on the trip, Victor Morales, made a video of the same trip from his perspective. Lots of amazing videos of the big horn sheep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL5q4xt_lWg

Very nice bighorn!

BajaBill74 - 3-7-2019 at 10:04 AM

That link posted earlier by 4X4 contained this:

What we’ve gathered for now is that in order to obtain a drone license in Mexico you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be Mexican by birth
Provide your military release card
Have a high school diploma
Be in good health

I'm not Mexican by birth and have a bad back.

I have also taken my drone videos by Coco's beach already so I'm good to go.

David K - 3-7-2019 at 10:59 AM

A small drone was used extensively by the TV crew filming with me in Baja last month. Some of it was right in the center of Camalu, where we stopped for lunch.

GMann - 4-6-2019 at 12:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBill74

What we’ve gathered for now is that in order to obtain a drone license in Mexico you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be Mexican by birth
Provide your military release card
Have a high school diploma
Be in good health

I'm not Mexican by birth and have a bad back.

I just came back from Mexico and made another drone video. Again flying in a pretty remote area. No one bothered me, and I took my drone in my carry on through the airport and no one seemed to notice or care.

Here's the new drone video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25xeT7ZHNdo