DianaT - 5-23-2006 at 04:23 PM
Around 1970, my husband took a trip to Baja with a graduate class at UCLA. They stated in Mexicali, went to Gonzaga, out by Laguna Chapala and back
up the Pacific side. At that time they were working on the main road, but there was very little pavement.
While we have found most things, there are a couple things he saw on that trip that we have not been able to find--it was many years later before he
returned to Baja. Perhaps some of you can help tell us where to find:
1. The giant prehistoric snail fossils
2. The abandoned turquoise mine.
He remembers both places being somewhere between Laguna Chapala and El Rosario.
Thanks
Diane
[Edited on 5-23-2006 by jdtrotter]
surfer jim - 5-23-2006 at 04:49 PM
1. prehistoric snail fossils are made in CHINA now and sold at the border
2. Isn't that at El Marmol?
I'm sure you will get better answers soon....
on a more serious note... I spent about 15 years trying to find an old surf spot that we used to go to in the early 70's and lost track of ....called
K-181 back in the day....finally found a couple years ago.....
[Edited on 5-23-2006 by surfer jim]
David K - 5-23-2006 at 04:53 PM
Hola Diane,
The giant snails were found along the road to Puerto Santa Catarina, southwest from San Agustin/El Marmol jcn. Today a graded road branches off Hwy. 1
near Guyaquil, a couple miles west of San Agustin.
The turquoise mine was near El Aguajito, which is on the old road between El Rosario and San Agustin. You can see it just south and downhill from
Highway 1. Turquoise is being mined to this day in this area.
Another turquoise mine is near Gonzaga Bay... Details and photos at http://vivabaja.com/wayno on the second page.
Here is a photo of a prehistoric snail being dug up... They are called Ammonites... (photo from the Choral Pepper Collection)
Sharksbaja - 5-23-2006 at 04:57 PM
Actually, there are a number of turquoise mines near the old road (and other sites) NW of Catavina or SE of El Rosario. This region is a geologists
paradise. Many grad studies are performed here and abouts.
Are you sure you are not talking about Ammonites? They look like giant snails. You can find beautiful examples in Mama Espinosas' collection.
[Edited on 5-23-2006 by Sharksbaja]
Sharksbaja - 5-23-2006 at 04:59 PM
ok.....maybe those are GIANT snails!
DianaT - 5-23-2006 at 05:11 PM
Hey,
Thanks!! Ok, I know they are not giant snails, I was just too lazy to look up the correct name.
Now we know where to look on our next trip down.
Diane
P.S. He remembered El Marmol and we have been there---didn't realize he was so close to the other places.
[Edited on 5-24-2006 by jdtrotter]
1962 Howard Gulick Map (Lower Ca Guidebook)
David K - 5-23-2006 at 05:27 PM
Here's a map from the 'old days'... You can see El Aguajito (turquoise mines) and the road between San Agustin and Santa Catarina where the ammonites
were found...
DianaT - 5-23-2006 at 06:31 PM
Thanks again, David----nice map
Diane