surfer jim - 8-8-2005 at 10:17 PM
was thinking a trip up to the top would be an interesting NOMAD adventure.....not to far away and not too rough on vehicles/people but still enough of
a challenge to be fun.....
Just thought I would throw this out for feedback......
where is the observatory??
eetdrt88 - 8-8-2005 at 10:18 PM
Sharksbaja - 8-8-2005 at 10:29 PM
Probably some nice weather except for what Yankee said bout the thunderstorms. Is that typical every year?
surfer jim - 8-8-2005 at 10:29 PM
On top of the mountain....
.....only one I know of is inland just south of
COLONET.....
got any pics???
eetdrt88 - 8-8-2005 at 10:30 PM
bajablue - 8-8-2005 at 10:34 PM
I had some friends last month try and head up there, but they were turned around. The guy said they didn't want dust from the roads up there......
Dust in mexico?
checked out the observatory...
eetdrt88 - 8-8-2005 at 10:42 PM
at Sugar Loaf Ridge up in Sonoma Co. some years back...i have to say it was pretty awesome as was the place itself
[Edited on 8-9-2005 by eetdrt88]
Ken Cooke - 8-9-2005 at 05:09 PM
Most of these dirt roads/4WD trails require that a park ranger go with you. If you speak Spanish, a nice ranger by the name of Emigdio can accompany
you. Here are some pics I took 5 yrs ago...
Rancho Venado Blanco - end of Venado Blanco Rd.
Park Ranger Emigdio Salgado Chacon
Tasajera Road leading to trout stream
note: CJ-7 w/dual ARBs, 4:1, long-travel suspension, Warn winch - tough trail!
Me and friend Andrew in Vallecitos - Observatory Road
Andrew & Gretch cooking lunch at Venado Blanco Rancho
Ken Cooke - 8-9-2005 at 05:15 PM
I forgot to mention, but a good spare is very important in this park. I came across a family from San Diego who parked their Grand Cherokee while
they ate lunch without knowing that their SUV had sprung a flat. When I asked them if they were "Okay", they acted real strange. When they found out
that they suffered a puncture to their stock Goodyear tire, then they got worried and thanked me for offering my assistance. DUH!!
Here is a picture of my Super Swamper TSL-SX tire stuck/P-nched in a rock. Tires like these are not a necessity, but tires with good tread driven
slowly on these dirt roads are a good idea.
bajalou - 8-9-2005 at 05:49 PM
From my observation point which is NW of San Felipe a bit, I can see Picacho del Diablo from my window. Also the mountains to the N and S of it.
Most afternoons this time of year have large thunder clouds over those mountains. I suspect it might be raining a bit up there. By 6p or so the
clouds have usually gone wherever old clouds go.
We took a trip up there in April - great trip - checked in with the office and got tour of the largest telescope tower - great.
They are rebuilding a lot of the road on the way up - widening it and in one area of a steep climb, putting a concrete roadway down. At that time
there were no rangers at the checkpoints.
Have fun
bajaandy - 8-9-2005 at 06:14 PM
Surfer Jim,
I'm up for that trip! When do you plan to go? I'm only good for weekends, maybe an extended one. I've always wanted to get up there. Let me know.
Bruce R Leech - 8-9-2005 at 06:22 PM
I know a man who went up there and sense he came back he has not uttered a word in 7 years he just stares off in to space.
9,280 feet ASL
David K - 8-9-2005 at 06:23 PM
I have more photos of the pine forest and Diablo Mtn. in my web site (the second trip, July 2000)...
This is between Colonet and San Felipe in the middle of the peninsula. 100km. from Hwy. 1 at San Telmo de Abajo...
You can see this observatory from Hwy. 3, north of Diablo Dry Lake...
[Edited on 8-10-2005 by David K]
surfer jim - 8-9-2005 at 08:49 PM
I didn't have any dates in mind......since we just had the Rosario trip I was thinking maybe a couple of months?.....I am retired and can go ANY
time....just wanted to get a feel if anybody was interested...and it looks like they are.....
If anybody wants to set up a trip date ...go for it!.....
David K - 8-10-2005 at 07:40 PM
Jim, it is a beautiful place... but the summer thunderstorms are nearly a daily event. In the meantime, do read Graham's third book... it will give
you great background on the area... http://www.grahammackintosh.com 'Nearer My DOG to Thee'
sanfelipebob - 8-10-2005 at 08:20 PM
The weather gets harry in july aug and sept. We used to do a labor day weekend and Superbowl week trips. One year we watched the game at the
observatory with the guys ! There is a big meadow not to far away that makes a great base camp.
surfer jim - 8-10-2005 at 09:53 PM
Was up there about 1985 ... maybe November (Thanksgiving trip?).....friend had a new Toyota 4wd to test ....great in the daytime....we camped in that
meadow.....sun went down and it got COLD fast.....even a fire couldn't keep us warm......had to try to go to sleep by 7 PM...to stay warm....then wind
came up....20MPH.....now it got really cold.....to say it was a long night would not do it justice.....so glad the sun came up...just to get out of
there.....
bajalou - 8-11-2005 at 08:44 AM
Should have heard "Weatherman" who calles the Score races holler about the cold and wind when he had a tent there for the Baja 100 a couple years ago.
San Pedro Martir-----
Barry A. - 8-11-2005 at 01:30 PM
I spent 10 days on the plateau 2 different times, March of 1953 and again in March 1956. It was beautiful both times, and the weather was
perfect----no rain, and the nights were in the 50's, days in the low 80's, as I remember.
I doubt the weather has changed much over the years, but that WAS a good many years ago.
David K - 8-11-2005 at 05:28 PM
Barry, I would love to read about your trips of the 1950's! I am sure there are a LOT of others here who would also. If you are ever so inclined to
share your past (ala Mike Humfreville), it would be warmly received here!!!!
Thanks for the encouragement, David-----
Barry A. - 8-11-2005 at 09:39 PM
-----but I am not in Mike's league, and besides I DO get my little stories out bit by bit on this board from time to time. There really is not that
much to share-----I, like everybody else, have had some good times in Baja over the years, but not so different than most others. I have just been at
it for a longer time than some others.
I like to weigh in if I think I can help, just like you do, but that is about it. I sure enjoy all the stories and experiences posted by everybody
else, so I keep coming back.
David K - 8-11-2005 at 09:47 PM
Well, I appreciate it when you do post! I have a file on my computer called 'Barry A' where I have saved your detailed emails of your trips you sent
me... The area south of El Barril is one I know you have been to... TheSquarecircle likes that area as well... we discussed it in El Rosario, in fact.
Corky wants to get his m/c through to Santa Gertrudis from there, as well.
So much Baja, so little time, eh?
I'm Game For A Trip Down There
allanbartlett - 8-12-2005 at 11:10 AM
I have been wanting to go down there for a long time and I finally bought a new Toyota Tacoma to escort me down there. I would love to go with a few
other people. I also hear it rains a lot down there in the summer.