BajaNomad

Road from Mike's Sky Ranch to Meling Ranch

Geothermal-Shane - 9-12-2006 at 12:06 PM

Does anybody have information regarding the current condition of this road?

David K - 9-12-2006 at 06:34 PM

Well... LAST YEAR: see http://vivabaja.com/905 (full road log/ GPS)

Here is the grade above Mike's as we were heading there from Meling Ranch/Observatory road...




[Edited on 9-13-2006 by David K]

Mexitron - 9-12-2006 at 09:20 PM

Amazing how that road can be so different from one year to the next--guess you drove it after that wet winter two years ago David K? We had it great after the trip to the San Pedro Martir Mission in April 2004. About 2 hours from Meling to Mike's. One year it took us eight hours and a mashed in Toyota from the Oak Tree I didn't quite get around. They must get some pretty serious rain in that area--guess the Sierra Corona helps squeeze the moisture out of the clouds.

May 2006

John M - 9-13-2006 at 05:28 AM

We went from Meling's to Mike's in early May - I tried to recall how long it took and we think something like 3 - 4 hours.

There were a couple of places where we were glad we had four wheel drive - with one particular spot of about 100 feet pretty washed out with quite deep ruts. Quite rocky and slow on a hill climb just east of the "old" airport road.

The big rock in David K's photo, a half-mile west of Mike's, was still there!

Just re-read your post & noticed you'll be going the opposite direction so it would certainly be all different. As far as I recall the only significant challenge would be the hill climb right out of Mike's. That was one hill that we were glad to be going down instead of up. Someone could correct me but I'd guess it was about a good mile of serious uphill - I'll go out on a limb here and say that you'd want to have a 4x4 to try it - of course there will be those with a more serious off-road vehicle (buggy or Baja Bug) and some driving skills that could do it with 2WD.

Photo: Just pulled into Mike's after a seven day trip, ready for that cool one.

John M.



[Edited on 9-13-2006 by John M]

Just got into Mikes - rough roads behind us.jpg - 31kB

TMW - 9-13-2006 at 07:02 AM

There are a couple of ways into and out of Mikes to Meling Ranch. The most common is up the hill out of Mikes past the Simpson turn off and on to El Coyote and out. Depending on any rain will depend on the road condition. In July the road was doable in 2 wheel drive. There are a couple of short cuts but if your not adventurous probably not worth your time to try.

David K - 9-13-2006 at 07:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Amazing how that road can be so different from one year to the next--guess you drove it after that wet winter two years ago David K? We had it great after the trip to the San Pedro Martir Mission in April 2004. About 2 hours from Meling to Mike's. One year it took us eight hours and a mashed in Toyota from the Oak Tree I didn't quite get around. They must get some pretty serious rain in that area--guess the Sierra Corona helps squeeze the moisture out of the clouds.


It was one year ago, Sept. 2005 (Labor Day Weekend)... we went from San Quintin to San Felipe via Mike's: http://vivabaja.com/905

New pavement to the Meling Ranch just completed...

905 007.jpg - 49kB

chuckmccullough - 9-13-2006 at 11:15 AM

If you're looking for a report on current road conditions, try Duane Meling, duanemeling@starband.net If she at her ranch, just off the road to Mike's, she may be able to help. Tell her Primo Chuck sent you.

Geothermal-Shane - 9-13-2006 at 05:58 PM

thanks friends. well see
is the road from hwy 1 to meling paved.now?

David K - 9-13-2006 at 07:01 PM

Please see this 2 posts above yours: "New pavement to the Meling Ranch just completed..." and that was a year ago...