Today Wornout and I and 3 other desert buggies went up a canyon in the Sierra San Felipe near one we call "Rams Head Cn"
Hoping to find a way to get from there to Hidden Valley which is entered on the South end of the Sierra. Last Friday we tried to get thru from the
south but time sent us home without finding our goal. (These short days really kill day trip exploring)
Wornout and I walked about 1/2 mile beyound where we left the buggies and motorcycle tracks were continuing beyond where we turned around.
Ken, I wonder if any of you Jeepers would want to try it. I think Rock Crawlers could without too much trouble but think a 3.5 in lift and 33's
arn't enough - would really like you to prove me wrong.
Also, Corky, TW, Tunaeater and ArvadaGeorge, this looks like it would be a great adventure.
Here's a shot of the area from far above - it's about 4 miles between the ends of the tracks (and wpts)
I'm hoping someone will give me a GPS track going through there.
Trail Head
bajalou - 12-4-2005 at 07:08 PM
Here's a shot of Wes & Di's Blue Streak from the first obsticles.
Ken Cooke - 12-4-2005 at 08:51 PM
I believe my Jeep could make it past that Rock garden.
I'm always willing to give my Jeep a proper work-out while in the desert!
Ken Cooke - 12-4-2005 at 08:53 PM
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but my Rubicon is pictured on the back of that there sweatshirt (lower right corner).
Lou---------
Barry A. - 12-4-2005 at 09:11 PM
I have been trying to tie in your aerial photo with my Baja Atlas with no real success. Is the area pictured, and that which you are talking about,
wsw from San Felipe north of "Huatamote", or even further north, like north of Hyway 3??bajalou - 12-4-2005 at 09:37 PM
You're looking good Ken - but I'd like you to show me---bajalou - 12-4-2005 at 09:41 PM
Barry A
This shot of a Topo should help you place it--
[Edited on 12-5-2005 by bajalou]Ken Cooke - 12-4-2005 at 10:07 PM
Question: On the topo, there is not much evidence of elevation gain. What lies between those two points? Rock gardens? Washouts? Hills? Please
inform so I know how likely or unlikely it would be that a vehicle could travel between those two points.
OK, Lou---got it----thanks
Barry A. - 12-4-2005 at 10:21 PM
David K - 12-4-2005 at 10:22 PM
Barry, these place names (Ram's Head Canyon, Hidden Valley, etc.) are all described by Bruce Barber in his cool book '...of Sea and Sand.' I believe
Bruce coined these various names based on his discoveries while exploring every dry wash and canyon in the San Felipe area.
Ordering details are in my Baja Notebook... well worth it.bajalou - 12-4-2005 at 10:28 PM
Almost all of the above -
Where we walked up the canyon today about every 1000 yds ther were rock piles. Then terrain ffrom the south where we were Friday is hills, washes to
cross and washes (soft sand) to go up. Our buggies were only stopped by time from that direction. Looking at GoogleEarth we see some pretty probable
routes to go a couple three more miles. But the real challenge is the canyon to the north. There were motorcycle tracks farther than we walked but
don't know if they go all the way thru or not.
Maybe Wornout will post a GoogleEarth shot of the area and you can see the terrain a little better. Also tomorrow I'll see if I can scan a more
detailed topo of the area.
I'm hoping someone will go thru and report.
ArvadaGeorge - 12-4-2005 at 11:15 PM
Lou
I have been riding rams head for years
We just called it the cut off
Several times I have mised the turn and started that way
I have been looking at that route.
Prob.will be able to give it a try the end of December
Give us something to talk about at your partywornout - 12-5-2005 at 09:22 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Maybe Wornout will post a GoogleEarth shot of the area and you can see the terrain a little better. Also tomorrow I'll see if I can scan a more
detailed topo of the area.
Here it is. I put in the lat/long of each end, you can find that on your own google earth and zoom in. It is doable but just not in a buggy.
Edited to shrink the picture....
[Edited on 12-5-2005 by wornout]bajalou - 12-5-2005 at 11:40 AM
I named Ram's Head for a skul I found the first time Wornout, Leo and I went thru it about 6-7 years ago. Bruce named Hidden Valley a long time ago.
David K - 12-5-2005 at 06:19 PM
Like this one you guys found in Parral, Lou???
bajalou - 12-5-2005 at 06:23 PM
That was a real prize, wasn't it David.
The one I found wasn't in as great a shape but if you come to the New Years Eve Turkey Feast, you'll see it in the tree by my patio.
Scouting from San Felipe
juanroberts - 12-18-2005 at 10:18 PM
I had already used Google Earth to scope the very area Baja Lou was talking about. I plan to be in San Felipe between Christmas and New Years. I have
an aggresive dirtbike exploring schedule focused on the San Pedro Martir range (Parral and Tasajera areas). But I thought I would try this wash out if
we needed a day to take it easy (Now more so that I am curious where the party is at). Did the motorcycle tracks add up to an even or odd number? I am
attaching a picture of some routes I loaded on my GPS for that area. They are fictitious, i.e., I made them up based on satellite elevation and topo
data. I have never actually been there before. Thanks for all the info on this exploratory trip. It helps me understand the area, and I wish you all
the best of luck.
PS Does the wash that goes from the East end of Chanate Wash to the hut at the top of the Sulphur/Parral pass allow motorcycles to go through? Also,
in case you did not know, San Felipe apparently has a webcam: http://www.locationpreview.com/viewcam.php?id=329bajalou - 12-19-2005 at 10:35 AM
Juan - welcome -
ArvadaGeorge is planning some exploration through out the area also
Party is at 12noon Dec 31st - ad my place - Zoo road west to sign "Los Viajeros South" then south 1/2 mile to the party - lots of friends - old and
new and a great feed/time for all.
