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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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MISION SANTA MARIA MAY 29, 2010, LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
WHO: BAJA NOMADS WITH 4WD, LOCKERS OR A-TRAC, 9"+ GROUND CLEARANCE.
WHAT: BAJA'S TOUGHEST 15 MILE ROAD TO AN ENCHANTED LOCTION
WHEN: MAY 29-30, 2010
WHERE: RANCHO SANTA YNEZ TO MISION SANTA MARIA (AND BACK)
WHY: BECAUSE IT IS THERE! (and it is a totally beautiful, exotic Baja place)
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This is a repeat of the Memorial Day, 2007 trip we (in a Tacoma) took with TheSquarecircle and Blanche using a Land Rover LR3: See http://vivabaja.com/msm
Now, we were planning on this last February, but the wet weather shelved the plan.
May was beautiful last time in there... perfect weather... and we even had a bighorn sheep encounter (see photos).
Because all things a flexible and things change, I am just putting this out there for those interested and properly equiped. This is a seriously
tough, steep, rocky road... a Jeep Trail... or maybe a Tacoma Trail!
We are 90% certain of going at this point... but I will put the details here so anyone can be comfortable going. This originally was BAJACAT's tour,
but he asked me to re-start it as he is only 70% certain for going.
We plan to zip down to El Rosario Friday night (we will be long south of Tijuana by dark), leave El Rosario after breakfast and be at Rancho Santa
Ynez by 10-10:30 Saturday morning (Santa Ynez is a mile past Cataviņa, 76 miles from El Rosario).
The mission is 14 1/2 miles from Santa Ynez and will take 2 1/2 to 3 hours to do the drive in, with photo stops!
We will camp Saturday night in the mission valley... either near the mission or near the oasis, which is a mile past the mission down a grade that is
steeper than The Widowmaker!
Sunday, being in no rush, we will return to El Rosario and come home on Monday. This is a kind of road that is good to have another vehicle along,
just in case. If anyone wants to stay until Monday at the mission, then I advise finding another vehicle to also stay with you... and drive out
together. Returning to Santa Ynez is harder than the drive to the mission as you will be climbing UP the Widowmaker.
Please anybody that comes must have a mechanically sound 4WD with low range and lockers or traction control. New or near new condition tires, as well.
Lightweight rigs with experienced drivers such as Jeep Wranglers or CJs may not need to use lockers.
This is only a 'welcome to join us' event... not an organized club activity, business or tour... Everyone going will be on their own and self
contained.
Some photos of the road...
Punta Final on the gulf (Gonzaga Bay)
WHO'S READY FOR "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE"? 
ROAD LOG
0.0 Rancho Santa Ynez, take road through left gate, north of ranch.
0.8 FORK, go left/ uphill.
1.8 Deep Gully, 4WD climb out (if this scares you, go back!).
2.4 Rock pile, a road to left, go straight/ right fork.
4.6 Cement monument off to left (tracks continue past monument).
5.5 Arroyo crossing with palms.
9.8 Peninsular Divide, view of Punta Final on the gulf.
13.0 Top of the 'Widowmaker' grade.
14.1 MISION SANTA MARIA
15.1 Road enters sandy Arroyo Santa Maria, after very steep downgrade.
15.4 Turn left, out of arroyo (may be hidden by plants). Tracks ahead in arroyo end in 1/4 mile.
15.6 El Camino Real climbs to the left, up hillside. The mission trail stays out of the canyon, along the north ridge and returns to the arroyo at the
east end of the canyon.
15.7 Roadbed washed out. Park and hike on to end of bulldozed grade to see petroglyphs, canyon view, Indian trail to canyon bottom.
2007 MSM TRIP: http://vivabaja.com/msm
2003 MSM TRIP: http://vivabaja.com/403/
1999 MSM TRIP: http://vivabaja.com/missionsm/
1999 Panorama: http://bajamur.homestead.com/files/mission.html
BAJA MISSIONS INFO SITE: http://www.vivabaja.com/missions1
Mileages modified after 2010 trip
[Edited on 6-2-2010 by David K]
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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Not that I'll be able to go, but why May 22nd and not Memorial Day weekend, May 29-20-31? At least that's when my calendar shows Memorial Day.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
Not that I'll be able to go, but why May 22nd and not Memorial Day weekend, May 29-20-31? At least that's when my calendar shows Memorial Day.
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Wow Lou... thanks for that, I had looked at the Baja Calendar and it the day next to the 24th (that Monday is split). Looking at another calendar, it
has it listed next to the 31st.!!! I will edit the post, THANK YOU!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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FINDING THE MISSION
BAJA CALIFORNIA... note 'Cataviņa' almost 1/3 down and in the center of the peninsula. The mission is between Cataviņa and San Luis Gonzaga, on the
east coast of Baja:
Cataviņa is 300 miles/ ~7 hours from the border (Tijuana or Tecate). Last Pemex station is El Rosario, top off tanks! Gas may be available from cans
at Cataviņa. Hotel and motel rooms, meals, some supplies at Cataviņa may be available. El Rosario is the closest town with dependable supplies, rooms,
meals, 76 miles from Cataviņa.
Rancho Santa Ynez (Ines) is a mile south of Cataviņa on a paved side road. Meals, drinks, bunk rooms and camping at Santa Ynez.
Map shows two routes to the mission from Hwy. 1. Only the northern route is an autombile 4WD road. The southern route is a foot trail over a mountain.
The El Camino Real comes up to the Mision Santa Maria valley from the desert floor near Gonzaga Bay. It is a difficult 6 hour hike between the mission
and the end of the road from Gonzaga, near Las Palmitas.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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You are going to miss the Baja by the Sea Fiesta at Seaport Village....same day.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
You are going to miss the Baja by the Sea Fiesta at Seaport Village....same day. |
Yah... went to it last year... crowds of people... visited with some Nomads... see photos posted... too bad they are having it on a three day
weekend... It is supposed to promote travel to Baja!!! Well, I plan to travel to Baja then! 
Being in Baja beats being in San Diego at a Baja promotion, otherwise I would go! Mision Santa Maria is so special, and we only go every 3 or 4
years... You should too Zac!
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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I'll be in Baja the week before with my son and father. Two weeks and counting.
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
You are going to miss the Baja by the Sea Fiesta at Seaport Village....same day. |
Yah... went to it last year... crowds of people... visited with some Nomads... see photos posted... too bad they are having it on a three day
weekend... It is supposed to promote travel to Baja!!! Well, I plan to travel to Baja then!
Being in Baja beats being in San Diego at a Baja promotion, otherwise I would go! Mision Santa Maria is so special, and we only go every 3 or 4
years... You should too Zac! |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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It was nice your dad had me fix the sprinkler system on his sold property, for the new owner... Tell him thanks again, when you see him!
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Would there be any special problems getting a full size P/U truck in (and out) of there?
How about having my 4 wheel pop up camper on? I am thinking about any narrow spots or issue with high center of gravity.
[Edited on 5-1-2010 by surfer jim]
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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Jim, Not my PopTop, but....Yes!
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15937
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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is that "yes!" as in no problems? or "no" as in "it never got out?"
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Wish I could go... but a F250 Superduty Extra-Cab Longbed 4x4 for this trip is out of the question. Look forward to the trip reports later on.
Bob H
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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Woody, they all got out, even Hummer 1's do it.
I will probably go with my PopTop if Marian gets back from Tibet OK. Can't keep that old lady home.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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I'm in, and I'm not just in a full size 4x4 truck but a motorhome!
And because I will be going real "slow but sure", I'll probably get a headstart ahead of you guys. If you find along the way something blocking you,
someone collecting fill rocks, that will be me!
Art
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Want to go but would have to return following week for BAJA 500. May need to seek permission from wife .
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Very cool!
I also posted this on Tacoma World as some there had seen the photos of The Widowmaker a while ago and got excited... asked to let them know when I
was going back in...
Neal, it will be great to have you along this time!
Surfer Jim and Art (edm1), with your vehicles: "May the Force be with you!"
I know you have wanted to go even before you had 4WD, Art.
Jim, it is harder than the final 5 miles of getting into Matomi ranch, and about three times longer... so, you got your truck in there (Bob H, too)!
http://vivabaja.com/204 The Widowmaker is just the one steep grade that stands out, but there are other challenges, like the bog.
Photo from GeoRock's automatic camera at Rancho Matomi.
From the left: Bob H & Audrey, MaryAnn & Mike Humfreville, Pat & MexRay,
Steve & Edie H, David K, GeoRock & Pete, Bill W & TW.
On the Hummer: Alicia, Sarah, Brittany. In front: Surfer Jim (+Shelby the wonder dog).
Tunaeater & Rudy left before photo taken
[Edited on 5-1-2010 by David K]
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3145
Registered: 3-20-2010
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My wife and I will do our best to be there, and will go as far as my run-of-the-mill Toyota 4Runner 4X4 will take us. If we are unable to make it all
the way to the mission, we are fairly able-bodied and will hike what the Toyota can't pass. I did manage to make it to the mission about 12 years ago
in my stock Pathfinder, but that trail changes with each passing season. We'll see. Looking forward to meeting Nomads.
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BAJACAT
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2902
Registered: 11-21-2005
Location: NATIONAL CITY, CA
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David thank you for re-porting this, as today Im in. My truck is perfectly sound as today pass the smog test a firts for me since I bought the truck
back 2004.Don't have lockers but do have limited slip and alot of courage.
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
My wife and I will do our best to be there, and will go as far as my run-of-the-mill Toyota 4Runner 4X4 will take us. If we are unable to make it all
the way to the mission, we are fairly able-bodied and will hike what the Toyota can't pass. I did manage to make it to the mission about 12 years ago
in my stock Pathfinder, but that trail changes with each passing season. We'll see. Looking forward to meeting Nomads. |
Welcome to Nomad... looking forward to meeting you!
My first time in was 11 years ago, and as of my last time (2007) it has remained about the same... which is great! But, after last January's big
rainfall, who knows what is in store for us, this time!!??
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJACAT
David thank you for re-porting this, as today Im in. My truck is perfectly sound as today pass the smog test a firts for me since I bought the truck
back 2004.Don't have lockers but do have limited slip and alot of courage.
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That would be wonderful... tu Dodge es MUY BRAVO!
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