BajaNomad

San Pedro Martir Roadtrip

allanbartlett - 4-30-2006 at 12:27 PM

I just wanted to post a quick report on a trip I made yesterday down to the San Pedro Martir mountains. The 100km road up the mountain is paved now all the way to about the 5000 ft level I would guess. The pavement stopped about ten miles past the Meiling Ranch. It was a fun trip. We hiked all day up there and then drove all the way home to OC last night. On the way down I stopped at my favorite fish taco stand in Ensenada, Castillos. The best in the world!

temps??

John M - 4-30-2006 at 01:38 PM

Allan - we'll be there a week from today - we plan to camp somewhere in the forest area - pretty cool or just what?

Thanks.

Re: Temps

allanbartlett - 4-30-2006 at 08:18 PM

We didn't spend the night up there John, but I'm sure it is pretty chilly at night up there this time of year at 8000 ft elevation where the campground is. Daytime temps yesterday were in the high 60s...great hiking weather. There was no snow left on the ground either.

BajaGeoff - 5-10-2006 at 11:28 AM

Hey Allan,

I am planning to go sometime next month. Are there any places in particular that you would recommend for camping or hiking?

Ken Cooke - 5-29-2006 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Hey Allan,

I am planning to go sometime next month. Are there any places in particular that you would recommend for camping or hiking?


You could drive or hike El Altar de la Mesa (inside of the park), you could also hike (recommended) down to the La Tasajera stream where the endemic trout can be seen. You can drive there, but getting out may be a challenge. Going on Saturdays at 7 or 8 a.m., you can visit the University Astronomy towers and get a guided tour! Also, you can go swimming down at the canyon below the guarded entrance/gate where the SEMARNAP guys work.

6 yrs. ago, I put together a webpage with some photos and info.

http://www.timsbaja.com/kencooke.html

Check it out, you might find some info useful on your journey.

Where's the fish??!!

Sharksbaja - 5-29-2006 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Quote:


you could also hike (recommended) down to the La Tasajera stream where the endemic trout can be seen.

I have yet to see recent proof of these babies. Please post a photo (in the last 5-10 yrs) as I still need to be convinced they exist:rolleyes:. :lol:

Ken Cooke - 5-29-2006 at 05:32 PM

I never hiked to the stream. My friends and I were too preoccupied with all of the obstacles on the 4WD trail going downhill to the meadow right before reaching the stream.

The road down La Tasajera:



The road narrows and becomes a 4WD trail after traveling between these two boulders:



Not sure if there are trout, but it is sure fun/adventure getting there!

Bajaboy - 5-29-2006 at 06:07 PM

Allan,

I camped at SPM last Thursday evening after travelling from Valle de Trinidad. The temps were cool at night but not cold. Probably in the low 50s. I rode my mountain bike up to the observatory and back...approximately 22 miles round trip with 3000ft of climbing...What a view!!! Dinner and the cold beers tasted especially great that night.

There was also a group of firefighters camped at the main entrance. They were doing some sort of forest fire training. About midway through my dinner, two groups of 10 firefighters or so went hollering into the forest. At first I couldn't figure it out. Then I realized they were looking for a hidden geo-cache.

Have a great trip. Oh, the user fee is 10 pesos per day.

Zac

burro bob - 5-30-2006 at 08:44 AM

Sharks
Here is a picture of a trout taken about 5 years ago in the Rio San Rafael above Mikes Sky Ranch.
burro bob

Mexitron - 5-30-2006 at 11:27 AM

The temperatures in the San Pedro Martir can drop into the 20's any day of the year--we've had 18 degrees and light snow in June, and 25 degrees in August--bring a warm sleeping bag!

Atsa more like it!!

Sharksbaja - 5-30-2006 at 11:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by burro bob
Sharks
Here is a picture of a trout taken about 5 years ago in the Rio San Rafael above Mikes Sky Ranch.
burro bob


Thanks Burro, I'll pack the Fenwick next time w2e head up there!! He looks pretty hardy and hungry!

Bruce R Leech - 5-30-2006 at 11:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I never hiked to the stream. My friends and I were too preoccupied with all of the obstacles on the 4WD trail going downhill to the meadow right before reaching the stream.

The road down La Tasajera:



The road narrows and becomes a 4WD trail after traveling between these two boulders:



Not sure if there are trout, but it is sure fun/adventure getting there!



Ken I like that photo of that Ford pulling all of those jeeps up the hill:lol::lol:

Sharksbaja - 5-30-2006 at 12:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I never hiked to the stream. My friends and I were too preoccupied with all of the obstacles on the 4WD trail going downhill to the meadow right before reaching the stream.

The road down La Tasajera:



The road narrows and becomes a 4WD trail after traveling between these two boulders:



Not sure if there are trout, but it is sure fun/adventure getting there!



Ken I like that photo of that Ford pulling all of those jeeps up the hill:lol::lol:


Oh, that's cuz you can't see the Dodge up in front pulling them all!:lol:

Ken Cooke - 5-30-2006 at 08:21 PM

What's responsible for pulling the 4WDs are these:


Bruce R Leech - 5-30-2006 at 08:22 PM

nice tires:tumble:

Bajaboy - 6-1-2006 at 08:26 PM

view from observatory looking north

Bajaboy - 6-1-2006 at 08:26 PM

View from observatory looking back towards Vallecitos

Bajaboy - 6-1-2006 at 08:27 PM

View towards Picacho del Diablo

David K - 6-1-2006 at 09:02 PM

Thanks Zac... lovely view from 9,280 feet ASL!