BajaGeoff - 5-9-2006 at 03:34 PM
Any suggestions or advice for a first timer to San Pedro Martir? My main interests will be hiking and photography, and I will be there for about 4
days. Are there any particular places that are a must see? If I decide to bring my dog along are coyotes a concern? Thanks!
TMW - 5-9-2006 at 06:16 PM
Are you going up to the observatory? There are camp grounds to stay along the way. I'd keep an eye on the dog and don't just let him run off by
himself. Big dog not too much to worry about, little dog maybe. I took my dog, black lab, all over with no problem. But I always knew where she was
and in eye sight.
BajaGeoff - 5-10-2006 at 09:07 AM
Hello TW,
He is a big dog.....85 pound Weimaraner...and he usually sticks pretty close to me when off-leash. Is there much to see or do at the observatory? Do
they have tours?
TMW - 5-10-2006 at 01:07 PM
You have to park a mile from the telescopes and walk the paved road up to them. They don't normally let you inside to see them, just outside. The view
is really great. There are three telescopes last I was there. I think a 2ft a 3ft and the big one that's around 84inches. There has been talk that
there was a really hugh telescope going in somewhere in Mexico or South America, one bid was for this site. Some think that's why the road was paved.
I haven't heard much lately on it. The whole area up there is beautiful. There are several buildings across from where you park to walk up and they
are the year around maintenance crew. It's a fun trip.
BajaGeoff - 5-10-2006 at 02:23 PM
Cool. Thanks for the info. I will definitely include the observatory on the list!
bajalou - 5-10-2006 at 03:20 PM
Several of us went up to the observitory a little over a year ago. We (one of our party) drove into the grounds and turned right and drove to the
administration building. They told us NOT to walk up that they would escort us after lunch. About 30-40 min later a young fellow came with a Ford
Ranger pickup and loaded all 13 of us into the seat and back and drove us to the largest telescope. He opened it up and we were allowed to see the
entire thing, then opened a door to a catwalk outside and a few of us walked around the outside of the dome. Spent about 40 min or so then he drove
us back to our cars in the parking lot. This was on a week day - don't remember which day. Do try not to miss this.
TMW - 5-11-2006 at 07:27 AM
Lou they probably thought all you old people might have a heart attack walking up. Just kidding. It's good that they drove you up. The walk up is
somewhat of a chore, especially if your not in shape. The walk down is pretty easy, just don't go too fast or you may not stop. Interesting thing is
you can't see San Felipe from there.
BajaGeoff after you pass the Meling ranch there is gold field pilings I think it was called the El Socorrito gold mine. The last time I was there one
of the Meling daughters said it was OK to stop and look around. She said her brother (or one of the family members) still dug for gold on occassion
there. Interesting place right by the road.
bajalou - 5-11-2006 at 07:34 AM
You're right about "Might have a heart atack" - It's over 8000 ft elevation and steep and that's quite a deal for us "Sea level flatlanders"
Sierra San Felipe kind of gets in the way doesn't it.