BajaNomad - bahia de las animas

bahia de las animas

bajabum - 4-30-2008 at 01:21 PM

Planning on a 1 week camping/yak fishing trip to Bahia Las Animas and have a few questions. Ive been to BOLA many times and have been out to Las Animas by boat but have never driven or camped there. How far from Gecko is La Animas (time wise driving)?. Is the turn out to Las Animas easy to find? are there any clam beds (like La Gringa) or any other unique land/water features out there? Any tips on Do's and Dont's? Muchos Gracias in advance!

Sharksbaja - 4-30-2008 at 01:27 PM

Secluded yet accessable. Don't get stuck in the deep sand around there! Watch out for animas! :lol:

Martyman - 4-30-2008 at 01:33 PM

When I went out to San Rafael I was kinda looking for the turn and did not see it. Keep your eyes open.

Bahia de las Animas

tripledigitken - 4-30-2008 at 01:49 PM

2 years ago this was the marker. It took about 45 min as I recall from Gecko. We camped at the northernmost site north of the Estuary. As you approach the Bay you should see the fish camp head left (north) around the Estuary and you will find a nice campsite right on the beach. Enjoy your trip.

Ken

By the way take Krocodile lures with you as I caught a nice halibut from shore!

[Edited on 4-30-2008 by tripledigitken]

shari - 4-30-2008 at 01:52 PM

Beware of the sting rays!!!!!!!!! good idea to know what to do if stung...Have a great trip amigo.

thebajarunner - 4-30-2008 at 05:21 PM

Pretty hard to miss the turnoff, it is marked, and it is well traveled.
Just mind your odometer a bit and you will be fine.
We went out there last year, drove by the turnoff a few weeks back en route to San Francisquito.
Very soft sand and ruts as you get close to the beach, and my pickup got some serious "pinstripes" in the last mile or so.
Also, not sure about the clams, but I believe it is illegal to take them if you are not a Mexican citizen.
(which makes them taste even better when you fetch a fresh bucket for dinner)

4baja - 4-30-2008 at 06:19 PM

about a hour, there was a old piece of wood last time with faded directions left. when you get there thers a few trees were theres a fish camp, keep going north around the lagoon and theres some good camping there. if you have a boat i would park the truck at bola and boat in and you would get the best of both worlds and camp along the way. alltho it is against the law to take clams, if its for your own use they dont have a problem. its your choice. i have camped along with the feds along the pacific and brought them clams and never a mention of the law. you decide.

Sharksbaja - 4-30-2008 at 06:45 PM

I think the authorities are more inclined to enforce clamming laws in the BOC or BOLA than say, SQ or TS.

If you HYM and HAW than usually they will MLK you for a GOB.

David K - 4-30-2008 at 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabum
Planning on a 1 week camping/yak fishing trip to Bahia Las Animas and have a few questions. Ive been to BOLA many times and have been out to Las Animas by boat but have never driven or camped there. How far from Gecko is La Animas (time wise driving)?. Is the turn out to Las Animas easy to find? are there any clam beds (like La Gringa) or any other unique land/water features out there? Any tips on Do's and Dont's? Muchos Gracias in advance!

GOT GPS?

Bahia Las Animas Rd. (North): 28°40.52'/ 113°21.72',

Las Animas: 28°48.57'/ 113°21.34'

Map Datum at NAD27 Mexico
=========================================================

Here's more... just got to do a search on my web page 'Viva Baja Tours': Find Baja Location Photos Fast: http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/tours

GPS and Milage Notes (map datum NAD27 Mex.)

0.0 Camp Gecko Driveway (4.1 mi. so. of pavement/ town): 28°53.96', 113°31.85'

5.7 The old Las Flores jail is 0.3 mi. to right.

8.1 Poor road ahead (28°46.98', 113°32.00') to reach the railroad terminal platform (3 mi.). Main road bends left. Platform at 28°44.73', 113°32.54'

18.5 Old road south via La Bocana valley 28°40.72', 113°25.41' (rejoins main road after 33 rough miles.)

22.3 Las Animas road, turn left 28°40.52', 113°21.72' (stay left at both forks, going in)

33.6 Bahia las Animas 28°48.57', 113°21.34'

[Edited on 5-1-2008 by David K]

bajabum - 4-30-2008 at 07:03 PM

Any problem navigating the area in a 2 wheel drive full size pickemup...I have a compressor so I can air down if needed. Any blue crab in the lagoon?

David K - 4-30-2008 at 07:08 PM

It's real sandy in some spots... So, my advice is NO... Baja is all about 4WD.

If it is absolutely something you gotta do... AIR DOWN to 10-15 psi in deep stuff.

David, I love you like a brother, but....

thebajarunner - 4-30-2008 at 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
It's real sandy in some spots... So, my advice is NO... Baja is all about 4WD.

If it is absolutely something you gotta do... AIR DOWN to 10-15 psi in deep stuff.

Baja is NOT "all about 4wd"
never have had it, never have needed it.
raced for 12 years, pre-ran thousands of miles,
4wd is for people who get in places they should not be.

I took my F-150 out to the beach at Animas, it was soft about the time we could see blue water, maybe 2 miles out, then got better,

be smart, don't sweat the 4wd mentality,
they are nice people,
they just don't get it....

bajabum - 4-30-2008 at 09:27 PM

I too have put in many miles on just about every road/path imaginable all over the peninsula over the last 25+ years in both 2 wheel and 4 wheel rigs and have never been stuck. A liitle common sense goes along ways weather you have 2 or 4 wheel drive. There have been many times I wished I had 4 wheel drive and have avoided a few places I would other wise have bonzied through...it is what it is, you just have to drive within the limitations of the vehicle and your personal driving skills. 90% of Baja is do-able with 2 wheel drive but it sure does open alot of doors if you have 4 wheel capability!

Gadget - 4-30-2008 at 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
It's real sandy in some spots... So, my advice is NO... Baja is all about 4WD.

If it is absolutely something you gotta do... AIR DOWN to 10-15 psi in deep stuff.

Boy Bajarunner, there are alot of pre-runners and racers out there that wish they had your luck over a period of time like that.

Like one of our crew members that got his Walker Evans Ram Charger prerunner high centered in a silt bed south of Conejo before the last 1000. 2 hour wait and a ranchers tractor to get the 500 hrspwr rig out. Kinda hard to not go somewhere when your trying to develope navigation for it, but I guess you have the secrets.

Their comment was " wish you'd been there Gadget, in the AWD GSB, we would have been out in 5 minutes".

Baja doesn't require 4wd...it EXPECTS IT. :bounce:

Barry A. - 4-30-2008 at 11:15 PM

I have made several trips into Animas with 2-wheel drive trucks and vans coming with me------------most of the time I have had to tow them out over the soft spots in the desert wash 2-track access road--------traveling in the remote areas of Baja without 4-wheel drive, coupled with no buddy vehicle is an open invitation to getting stranded, or worse. That is my opinion, anyway, after 53 years of Baja travel.

4-wheel drive opens up so much more Baja------I know as I traveled Baja in a 2-wheel drive truck for years.

ps I was a professional desert driver.

barry

David K - 5-1-2008 at 08:02 AM

Thank you Gadget and Barry for making my point clear...

Yes, 90% (or more) of my Baja driving is in 2WD... It is that final 10% that gets me where MOST others cannot get to, by having 4WD and off road driving skills. That is what makes camping in Baja that much more special... solitude in nature... as far from city life as possible in the time we have off from work.

It is 2WD vehicles (in the hands of underskilled drivers) driving where 4WD should be used that destroys the roads and damages the landscape more... Without front and rear traction, you spin tires, make ruts, mess up the road, get buried in sand, etc.

4WD permits SLOW crawling up steep grades with no or limited spinning of tires, low impact on dirt roads, and less or no damage to vehicles using speed to 'make it' up hills or through soft stuff.

Do you remember the Gonzaga road before 1986...? Like from '74 on when they stopped coming south from Puertecitos because Hwy. 1 was completed... ? Spinning tires ate it up.

It IS amazing where one can take a 2WD... but if one can afford to race the Baja, can't one afford a 4WD for camping and exploring the beautiful places that are missed when you are racing?

David, I agree with almost all of what you say

thebajarunner - 5-1-2008 at 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Thank you Gadget and Barry for making my point clear...

Yes, 90% (or more) of my Baja driving is in 2WD... It is that final 10% that gets me where MOST others cannot get to, by having 4WD and off road driving skills. That is what makes camping in Baja that much more special... solitude in nature... as far from city life as possible in the time we have off from work.

It is 2WD vehicles (in the hands of underskilled drivers) driving where 4WD should be used that destroys the roads and damages the landscape more... Without front and rear traction, you spin tires, make ruts, mess up the road, get buried in sand, etc.

4WD permits SLOW crawling up steep grades with no or limited spinning of tires, low impact on dirt roads, and less or no damage to vehicles using speed to 'make it' up hills or through soft stuff.

Do you remember the Gonzaga road before 1986...? Like from '74 on when they stopped coming south from Puertecitos because Hwy. 1 was completed... ? Spinning tires ate it up.

It IS amazing where one can take a 2WD... but if one can afford to race the Baja, can't one afford a 4WD for camping and exploring the beautiful places that are missed when you are racing?

But no..... "Baja is not all about 4wd"
I love the feeling of a "free" front end floating over the rough stuff, not a heavy laden front axle pounding all the bottoms of all the holes.
Yes, 2wd will absolutely eat up a hill like the old "Sisters Route" below Puertecitos, just as you described.
And no, we really cannot take a 2wd out to some beaches, but real close, just not through the dunes.
But, wow, have I seen some 4 x 4 rigs stuck!!!
You bet, they seem to get themselves stuck worse than 2wd, probably because of arrogance and false sense of security.
And finally, yep, I been stuck.... bad stuck
pre-running and in races.
Anyone who has driven extensively in Baja has been stuck,
even bikes get stuck.
'nuff sed...

BajaWarrior - 5-1-2008 at 03:44 PM

I haven't been stuck.

I'm the guy the 2wd'rs coming running to when they're stuck!

Air down! :yes:

bajabum - 5-1-2008 at 04:49 PM

With 2 wheel drive would it be best to air down all 4 tires or just the rear?

Hook - 5-1-2008 at 05:01 PM

All four, by all means.

No sense in having the traction to stick the front wheels in deeper. :spingrin:

David K - 5-1-2008 at 08:18 PM

Yes, all four... It IS about FLOATATION!

If you push a pencil into the sand, it goes in easily... Now, try to push your hand, open palm into the sand... doesn't go down very far, huh?

Skinny or rock hard tire VS. Wide, soft (buldging sidewalls) tire.

That photo of the 4Runner burried near the incoming high tide... TOO MUCH AIR!!! Even in 4WD, that beach south of San Felipe will suck you in, unless you are properly DEFLATED... 10-15 PSI is no lie!

[Edited on 5-2-2008 by David K]

thebajarunner - 5-2-2008 at 09:19 AM

Two important tips for getting "unstuck"

First is simple....
be sure to scrape away all the sand/dirt/mud built up in front of all four tires. Lots of guys forget that one, and that is simple and often can solve the problem.

Second....
if you feel yourself getting stuck you have two choices....
you can romp on it and try to blas thru or you can stop and assess the situation.
neither is a good answer, but the problem always compounds itself when you try to accelerate out and just get more stuck.... and the more stuck, the more digging for unstuck.

oh, and if you are serious about going places where you may get stuck then go to your local steel supplier and ask him to cut you two pieces of
expanded metal (the stuff they build grates from)
cut them about 18" wide by 4 feet long, put them under all your gear,
they are marvelous to get you a running (albeit only 4') head start to drive out of a bad situation.
and, they ususally have very sharp edges after getting sheared to size, so either file them down or wrap the edges with duct tape.

Barry A. - 5-2-2008 at 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
Two important tips for getting "unstuck"

First is simple....
be sure to scrape away all the sand/dirt/mud built up in front of all four tires. Lots of guys forget that one, and that is simple and often can solve the problem.

Second....
if you feel yourself getting stuck you have two choices....
you can romp on it and try to blas thru or you can stop and assess the situation.
neither is a good answer, but the problem always compounds itself when you try to accelerate out and just get more stuck.... and the more stuck, the more digging for unstuck.

oh, and if you are serious about going places where you may get stuck then go to your local steel supplier and ask him to cut you two pieces of
expanded metal (the stuff they build grates from)
cut them about 18" wide by 4 feet long, put them under all your gear,
they are marvelous to get you a running (albeit only 4') head start to drive out of a bad situation.
and, they ususally have very sharp edges after getting sheared to size, so either file them down or wrap the edges with duct tape.

The metal things you refer too----yes, I carried them for years in my 2x4 pickup, and yes, they do work. But boy it is sooooooooo much faster and convenient to just "shift" into 4-wheel drive and go on your way. (and the "metal things" don't always solve your problems-----besides the huge hassle)

barry

stuck in the deeps

Matt&Mutt - 5-5-2008 at 01:36 PM

There's 3 basic tenets of off-pavement driving that'll keep you out of the muck. I routinely ignore all of them.

1) Air down. Highway/city folks are scared that their tires'll fly off the rims if they are below 32 psi. Not so, unless you're taking some hard corners on solid ground. I typically air down to 20 on routine washboard/softy, down to 15 on soft/deep sands, and reserve airing down to 10 for when I'm stuck in some serious deeps (if I can't get out at 10, I shouldn't have been there in the first place). For off-pavement newbies, if there's not a llantera and you don't have a compressor ($10 at Wallyworld for the cheapest Chinese model), you can safely drive (no hard turns/braking) for 40 or 50 miles to find air. Just keep it below 55 and you'll be fine.

2) Don't stop !! If you're in the muck, or crawling up a hill (especially), the last thing you want to do is to stop off and take a look around !! That is when you get stuck. Preview your turf, if possible, and commit. If it's soft & you're bogging down, stopping will guarantee it !!

3) If you get stopped/stuck....get off the gas !! Stopped is stopped, and there is a reason you're not moving forward anymore. Trying to rock it out or easing forward will do nothing more than dig you in further. I generally figure that a basic stick is worth about a half hour of digging. An axle-depth stick (easy, really easy to do in soft stuff), can be a half day affair !!

Re the 4wd vs the 2wd debate---there's places I've taken my old beat-up Wrangler that no 2wd vehicle will EVER make it to, let alone smell the downwind scent of.... Know your and your vehicle's limits, know your back-up plan (having one is smart), have sufficient survival/recovery gear on board always, and GO EXPLORE !!!

M

Barry A. - 5-5-2008 at 04:48 PM

Matt y Mutt----------yep, that about covers it. :yes:

barry