David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:05 PM
Continued from Part 1 at: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=12574
North of Lazaro Card##as, San Quintin, Vicente Guerrero, and Camalu we drove... to the well signed PAVED sideroad for SAN PEDRO MARTIR &
OBSERVATORIO (and Meling Guest Ranch, etc.)
The junction of Hwy. 1 and the Observatory road is at (GPS Map Datum NAD 27 Mexico): N 30-58.01' W 116-09.24' elev. 123'. Trip Odometer Mile 0.0.
Although I had seen that this first section was paved and heard it was for a few miles, I was totally surprised by how much was paved... Like ALL of
the 30 miles (1/2 way to the Observatory) that we drove of it!
Photo shows the paved road between Highway One and San Telmo (de Arriba)...
[Edited on 9-9-2005 by David K]
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:20 PM
The old village of San Telmo is reached in 0:09 (nine minutes), at Mile 5.7, 30-58.13', 116-05.45', elev. 310'.
Looks almost deserted, was originally a Dominican Visita of Mision Santo Domingo.
Hacienda Sinaloa is reached in 0:18 minutes, at Mile 11.4, 30-56.93', 116-00.67', elev. 483'. This is now a larger village than San Telmo, originally
just a rancho.
Road right to El Carricito, Valladares, Santa Cruz is reached in 0:27 minutes, at Mile 16.9, 30-56.55', 115-56.28'. This is the route used by some to
reach the trailhead for San Antonio Falls and Mision San Pedro Martir!
Road left to ranchos is reached in 0:29 minutes, at Mile 17.5, 30-56.96', 115-55.90', elev. 564'. This was the original route used for Mike's Sky
Rancho in the early 1970's. It rejoins the current route at El Coyote. Stay on pavement!
Fresh pavement at Mile 25...
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:36 PM
New paved base just before the oil is added to blacktop it... This was about Mile 27...
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:41 PM
Signed road left for EL COYOTE (this is also the route for Mike's Sky Rancho), where we left the new pavement (the sign also said Rancho Meling was 3
kms. ahead) is reached in 1:08 hrs., at Mile 30.1, 30-58.60', 115-45.91', elev. 2,611'.
This rock was along the road north of the paved road...
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:42 PM
The road to El Coyote's driveway was well graded for it's 4.7 miles... then the road on to Mike's became more of a Jeep trail!
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:47 PM
Driveway left to El Coyote Guest Ranch is reached in 1:21 hrs., Mile 34.8, 31-02.23', 115-45.50', elev. 2,958'.
Here the road for Mike's Sky Rancho deteriorates as it turns east, and is best saved for off highway type vehicles...
We were surprised to come to a huge burned area, which lasted for many miles, almost to Mike's Sky Rancho!
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:48 PM
Pretty major fire, in a remote area...
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:49 PM
Baja Angel said "STOP!"... Man does she have good eyes!
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:49 PM
This poor fellow didn't have a chance!
David K - 9-6-2005 at 08:51 PM
Camera doesn't capture the rough road as well as driving it!
David K - 9-6-2005 at 09:03 PM
An unsigned junction is reached in 1:41 hrs., Mile 39.3, 31-03.43', 115-45.50', elev. 3,405'. This is the road that continues east to LOS ENCINOS
which was the site of Mike's original airport, later moved north of the ranch at a better site (but since closed down). TURN LEFT/ NORTH HERE!
Report Continued... in Part 3 at: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=12576
[Edited on 9-9-2005 by David K]