BajaNomad

Ok, It's hot! Where to? Laguna Hanson or Canyon de Guadalupe

Mango - 6-14-2007 at 10:38 AM

So I'm in Mexicali. Looking for a place to get away from the heat for the weekend.

Laguna Hanson? higher elevation should be cooler...

Hot Springs at Canyon de Guadalupe? hot.. but some cool pools to swim in? (I've never been there yet.. so advice on parking/hiking for non-campers (day-use) would be nice)

San Felipe.. Still hot.. but some water...


or should I just head over to Ensenada?

I will be leaving Fri night and returning Sun..

Any advice is welcome...

Thanks all!

//ango

David K - 6-14-2007 at 10:48 AM

Guadalupe Canyon is really a great place... I have many photos of it so you can get some ideas of what to expect... Listed in my web site, in my personal trips section (2006, 2005, 2001)

The web site with details and prices (it is pricey) is at http://www.guadalupe-canyon.com

Laguna Hanson might be the ticket for cooler, less crowded camping... Drive south from La Rumorosa... beautiful country! I have not been all the way to Laguna Hanson, but close.

At Km. 32, south of San Felipe is the driveway to Nuevo Mazatlan which has a forest of shade trees to keep it nice in the warm weather! See http:/vivabaja.com/nm and my last camping trip there http://vivabaja.com/806 (August!)

Bring shade and plenty of ice and drinks...


[Edited on 6-14-2007 by David K]

Mango - 6-14-2007 at 03:49 PM

Thanks David K.

Yeah, I've checked out your website in the past (very nice!) and know that camping at Canyon de Guadalupe is pretty pricey; but, also looks very nice.

I'm actually looking to do a day trip. (I'm here in Mexicali) I am not sure if there is a day use fee, or a free way just to park, hike, and swim in the cool pools at Canyon de Guadalupe.

If Guadalupe Canyon does not work out, I think I will be heading up to the mountains around Laguna Hanson with my rock hammer and camera to check out some old mine sites, etc..

Thanks for the info about the camping south of San Felipe. I'll check that out when it cools down a bit.

bajalou - 6-14-2007 at 03:57 PM

I'm told Laguna Hansen can fill up pretty full of campers on weekends with people from TJ and Mexicali and the musica level is pretty high.

Just as a matter of information - there has been little rain or snowfall in the Sierra San Pedro Matir and I would expect the Sierra Benito Juarez. Places in the canyons of the San Pedro Matir that usually have water don't have any this year. Have to go much farther up the canyons to get to the surface water so some of the places that have had nice cool pools will be dry.

We went to Caņon Esperanza a couple weeks ago and the pool that we usually enjoy was just sand.

Mango - 6-19-2007 at 12:44 PM

Just a follow up post.

We wound up heading up to Laguna Hansen this last weekend. Had a nice time.

We made a long day trip out of it from Mexicali. Left early and watched the temps drop as we headed up to La Rumorosa. Had breakfast there, then headed to El Condor and took the road south to Tres Pozos. Explored a little around there then headed over to the main road to Laguna Hansen that runs from La Rumorosa.

After leaving Tres Pozos the road got considerably more rocky, but still fine.. just slow going. At one point the road entered a small stream bed and followed it for about 1/4 mile. I think this would be a tough way to go in the rainy season. I had to ford a small stream with my car; but, I scouted it out and all went ok.

Climbing out of the streambank on the far side (SE) required some huevos as the road was deeply rutted and rocky for about 100 yards. I scouted it and found a good line. My subaru handled it fine at a slow crawl; but, I would not recommend it to anyone in anything other than a 4WD/AWD with good clearance.

Laguna Hansen was nice. It was dry; but, it was a nice relief to get out of the heat of Mexicali and up to pine trees. We climbed around on some rock outcrops, scouted some campsites for future use, and used the main road back to La Rumorosa. There was a tree down across the road about 4km north of Laguna Hansen that required a detour most cars could not handle. From the looks of the tracks on the detour it was not there too long, and I expect someone to cut/clear it soon as it was only about 10" inches in dia.

David K - 6-19-2007 at 07:44 PM

Glad you made it and had a decent time!

fdt - 6-19-2007 at 09:01 PM

Fotos?

BAJACAT - 6-19-2007 at 10:52 PM

DK I can bealive you never been in Laguna hanson.


Here is Hanson on snow

laguna Hanson snow day 061.JPG - 47kB

Here is Hanson dry

BAJACAT - 6-19-2007 at 11:00 PM



DSC01168.JPG - 46kB

David K - 6-20-2007 at 05:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
DK I can bealive you never been in Laguna hanson.


Here is Hanson on snow


Almost, but not all the way! There is just so much Baja (and so little time)!!!

Ken Cooke - 7-25-2007 at 11:56 PM

I have never been to Laguna Hanson either. One day, I guess...

DENNIS - 7-26-2007 at 07:53 AM

Ken .......

Laguna Hanson is Jeep country, year around.

Ken Cooke - 7-26-2007 at 03:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Ken .......

Laguna Hanson is Jeep country, year around.
Maybe a nice place to check out. I never heard much about Parque Constitucion, but you never know...

BAJACAT - 7-26-2007 at 07:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Ken .......

Laguna Hanson is Jeep country, year around.
Maybe a nice place to check out. I never heard much about Parque Constitucion, but you never know...
Ken I have seen some jeep clubs from mexico there, a couple of times.it.s a popular place for jeep lovers..

Ken Cooke - 7-26-2007 at 10:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Ken .......

Laguna Hanson is Jeep country, year around.
Maybe a nice place to check out. I never heard much about Parque Constitucion, but you never know...
Ken I have seen some jeep clubs from mexico there, a couple of times.it.s a popular place for jeep lovers..



Thanks for the heads up. Because, we all know it's too hot to explore in the desert this time of the year.