David K
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Location: San Diego County
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LOST MISSION EXPEDITION 2011 (Part 5 of 6: Back to El Marmol, San Simon Windmill...)
Continued from PART 4: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52804
A visit to the El Volcan Cold Water Geyser is one of Baja's must-do events. To catch the monthly eruption (in the daytime) would be perhaps the most
amazing thing to experience in Baja. When we were in the area 11 years ago, my travel amigo Lorenzo de Baja considered setting up a camp for up to a
month to witness the event!
I have no knowledge of any photos or documentation of the eruption other than in Walt Peterson's 'The Baja Adventure Book' describing the event as a
60 foot plume of water and gas (CO2?) lasting several minutes.
One last look at El Volcan:
Here is the fork 2 miles from El Marmol (and 2 miles from Arroyo El Volcan)... facing northeast. Before the road was graded, both branches looked
equally used (or unused):
On the road to El Marmol
Nearing the Onyx quarry you can see the old road climbing the hill... this was the road south, 10.3 miles back to the old main road (between Agua
Dulce and La Virgen). I travelled it twice (in 1974 and '75). Neal Johns took it about 10 years ago... I wouldn't go solo as there may be some deep
washouts.
The schoolhouse
Some of the home foundations from 1958 and earlier.
Graveyard
In 1953:
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Sign pointing the way to El Volcan (4 miles) and La Olvidada (10 miles). It is 9 miles from this point back to Hwy. 1 (Km. 148/9). Rancho Sonora is
just south of the El Marmol jcn.
See the onyx gifts for sale there!
[Edited on 5-12-2011 by David K]
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Mexray
Super Nomad
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Location: California Delta
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Great stuff David, as always...
...Thanks for letting us ride shotgun!
Regards, Ray
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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bajafam
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so cool! Every time we pass the turnoff for El Marmol, I want to go! Maybe next time we will!
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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David is there an estimated time that the geyser goes off like once a month or so? I'm thinking if one was to stop by and could determine it has went
off recently they might be able to plan a trip to stay a couple of days for the next eruption.
Also you really need to get your bumper replaced, it's not fitting for a Toyota.
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edm1
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As always very telling pictures, David. I haven't been to El Volcan/Marmol so I'm sure it'll be part of my next adventures.
What's the story behind the graveyard, about El Volcan/Marmol haunted, if any? Just in case I decide to spend the night there.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
David is there an estimated time that the geyser goes off like once a month or so? I'm thinking if one was to stop by and could determine it has went
off recently they might be able to plan a trip to stay a couple of days for the next eruption.
Also you really need to get your bumper replaced, it's not fitting for a Toyota. |
All I know of even erupting monthly is from Peterson's book, and what I wrote at the top of this thread, above:
A visit to the El Volcan Cold Water Geyser is one of Baja's must-do events. To catch the monthly eruption (in the daytime) would be perhaps the most
amazing thing to experience in Baja. When we were in the area 11 years ago, my travel amigo Lorenzo de Baja considered setting up a camp for up to a
month to witness the event!
I have no knowledge of any photos or documentation of the eruption other than in Walt Peterson's 'The Baja Adventure Book' describing the event as a
60 foot plume of water and gas (CO2?) lasting several minutes.
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The bumper work will get done when I get the sideswipe repair made... probably next month. Thankfully, I am busy with work since our trip!
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by edm1
As always very telling pictures, David. I haven't been to El Volcan/Marmol so I'm sure it'll be part of my next adventures.
What's the story behind the graveyard, about El Volcan/Marmol haunted, if any? Just in case I decide to spend the night there.
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No special story I know of... This was an active quarry/ mine town from 1905 to 1958... Those who never left, will be there forever!
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David K
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San Simon
A couple miles before reaching Highway One is the site of Rancho San Simon where only a windmill, pila (water tank), and the world's only onyx cattle
trough can be seen today!
Here the graded road to Highway One curves south, and the original road to San Agustin is barely noticed continuing southwest.
The owner of Rancho Sonora (son of that rancho's founder 'Santiago') was filling up some barrels with water from the windmill.
The World's only onyx water trough!
Matomi Mountain
Coco sure gets around!
Next, we go to Rancho Sonora and see the onyx curios for sale there.
See Part 6: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52864
[Edited on 5-12-2011 by David K]
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Borregoman
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Wonderful report David, it has been a real blast reading everything leading up to and including the trip reports by everyone. A big thanks to ALL !
Heading down to spend next week in Bahia Santa Maria......can't wait!
Cheers
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Ken Cooke
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Great continuation
I can't wait for my next trip to this area, David. Leidys and I will wait until the weather cools down, though.
One question: Are you going to replace your rear bumper? 
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David K
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I can't wait for my next trip to this area, David. Leidys and I will wait until the weather cools down, though.
One question: Are you going to replace your rear bumper?
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It was perfect temps., but windy... Bumper? We don't need no stinkin' bumper!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Borregoman
Wonderful report David, it has been a real blast reading everything leading up to and including the trip reports by everyone. A big thanks to ALL !
Heading down to spend next week in Bahia Santa Maria......can't wait!
Cheers |
Thank you!
We are looking forward to camping on Shell Island in a week and a half from now! If you are still down there, come by and say hi... We will drop over
to Bahia Santa Maria on Monday as we head out to visit with BajaRob and Connie.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I can't wait for my next trip to this area, David. Leidys and I will wait until the weather cools down, though.
One question: Are you going to replace your rear bumper?
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It was perfect temps., but windy... |
Mission Impossible was 93 deg.F and hot. Buzzing Killer Bees and biting No See-ums added to the mix. You really should consider a replacement
bumper. They aren't expensive - http://tacomabumper.info/
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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This trip report finishes with PART 6, here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52864
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