BajaNomad

What to see?

Fatboy - 4-3-2006 at 10:32 PM

We are in the rough planning stages of our next trip to Baja this Summer and we are looking for ideas of places to go and things to do.

We are not looking for places to shop or eat. We are looking for backcountry/out of the way spots to check out. We have about 9 days to be in Baja and plan on spending most of that time south of Puertecitos on the Gulf side and El Rosario on the Pacific side. Would prefer the BC Sur state line to be our limit for the southern end.

We will have a mixed group in a couple of 4x4's with Kayaks and camping gear and lot's of backcountry experience.

Secluded beaches?
Out of the way Missions?
Springs/Canyons?
Mines?
Snorkling/Whale sharks/wildlife?
4x4 trails?

How about along the Pacific Coast from Puerto Catarina/Punta Canoas south to Santa Rosalillita?

It will be a 1rst trip for one group who have never been to Baja and I would love any ideas or suggestions to make this a great trip!

David K - 4-4-2006 at 07:12 AM

Hola Fatboy,

This is the area I have done the most scouting around in and it sounds like your interests are almost the same. I love Baja's natural and historic wonders (canyons, beaches, springs, missions, El Camino Real, petroglyphs, mines, etc.)

I invite you to check out my web site and notebook site (both linked at the bottom of my posts here on Nomad) to get ideas for things to see. The area is a 'gold mine' for exploring!

I am working on a web page to replace my 'index' page to help you find photos of an area easier... sort of a self guided tour...

This site is still being worked on, but it could help: Viva Baja Self Guided Tours





[Edited on 4-4-2006 by David K]

Fatboy - 4-4-2006 at 07:53 PM

David,
I got some idea's from your site in our previous trip, such as the Green Pools, which was great. Now I am looking for more of the same secluded and out of the way spots. What about driving from the gulf side to 1 via the Green Pools, Turquoise Mine and out? There appears to be a road coming down the western end of the valley that you can see from the mine. Any one done that?

I will check out you site again for some of the new info.

Anything else anyone, don't hold out... :saint:

wilderone - 4-5-2006 at 09:22 AM

Part of the lure and essence of Baja is the opportunity to explore that "road coming down the western end of the valley that you can see from the mine." And then YOU can tell us all about it. Do Matomi Canyon, Alfonsinas, the missions, etc. Hike over that hill or paddle around that point to your own little paradise. You won't be telling us your secrets either after that. You're well equipped - just go for it.

David K - 4-5-2006 at 10:12 AM

Fatboy, the auto. road ends at the green pools, but a motorcycle ride for experts continues on up Turquesa Canyon, past the mine, up a super steep climb and pops out at Hwy. 1 near El Pedregroso (the mountain of boulders).

This is Kacey Smith's 'XR Ride' Up... in her GPS guidebook 'All About Your Whereabouts' http://www.bajagpsguide.com

At the top of the grade is the end of a Jeep road coming up from Hwy. 1.

More photos of the mine at http://vivabaja.com/wayno/page2.html

My notes on this from my 1102 webpage:

Green Pools N29?33.72' W114?23.89'


Several pools of water are found near the end of the road in La Turquesa Canyon. A tough motorcycle trail continues west to Hwy. 1 at El Pedregoso boulder mountain.




[Edited on 4-5-2006 by David K]

Fatboy - 4-5-2006 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

You won't be telling us your secrets either after that.

Maybe, maybe not! :lol:
The problems is I have a very limited amount of time I can spend in Baja. Let me show you some of the cool spots I have 'discovered' in the Northern Sierra's and Klamaths and when asked how I found about them it will almost always be the same answer. Spending time driving around in the backcountry. A lot of dead end roads, a lot of dusty/bumpy miles with little to show for it except(and it is BIG ONE!) the joy of exploring. For Baja I do not have that luxury at this time and one or two good adventures would go a long ways.

It seems as we get older time appears more valuable and while having the will and desire to drive down EVERY road and trail is still there and I feel the pull of every one I pass it is tempered by the time constraints that society places upon us.


Quote:

but a motorcycle ride for experts continues on up Turquesa Canyon, past the mine, up a super steep climb and pops out at Hwy. 1

Maybe we will try that trail and see if it is really a motorcycle trail. If we don't make it we will turn around and head back to the beach.

David K - 4-5-2006 at 04:32 PM

There was a post by someone here a while ago who tried it... after Coco told them about it.. So, the trail was named 'Coco's Shortcut' in that post.

I believe that Corky and BajaBound have riden it...