BajaNomad

LOTS of things to see and do around EL ROSARIO

David K - 8-4-2008 at 06:13 PM

With so many new Nomads and 'lurkers' coming to Baja Nomad for Baja trip ideas and details, I think a revisit to some of the many photos on my web pages may be of help!

Let's begin with EL ROSARIO...

Many of us considered EL ROSARIO only as a refueling point or an overnight stop on the TRANSPENINSULAR HIGHWAY.

Thanks to Baja Nomad member 'BajaCactus' (Antonio Muņoz) and his hospitality at his Pemex station and remodeled Baja Cactus Motel, next door... we have had the opportunity to spend time there in his excellent establishment.

As it turns out, EL ROSARIO makes a great DESTINATION in Baja, and not just a stop over!

Please look at the photos and details starting with the web pages in the following links to see Spanish mission ruins, museums, beaches, La Lobera sea lion crater, petrified forest, fossils, petroglyphs, El Camino Real, cactus gardens, restuarants, art work, old mine ruins, and more!:

1) http://vivabaja.com/1104/ (El Rosario and side trips)

2) http://vivabaja.com/505/ (missions, museum, La Bocana, La Lobera)

3) http://vivabaja.com/705/ (Baja-Rosario Festival, cactus, old mine, petrified forest)

4) http://vivabaja.com/pintas/ (petros and fossils)

5) http://vivabaja.com/1105/page3.html (off road excursion, cactus, petros)

6) http://vivabaja.com/1205/ (Punta Baja and south)

7) http://vivabaja.com/206/ (Petrified Forest, La Bocana)

8) http://vivabaja.com/406/ (Espinoza Museum)

9) http://vivabaja.com/706/ (Baja-Rosario Festival)

10) http://vivabaja.com/707/ (Baja-Rosario Festival, Las Pintas fossil grotto)

[Edited on 8-5-2008 by David K]

rpleger - 8-4-2008 at 06:37 PM

Thanks for the info David K...

Forget the Troll

And, the beach???

thebajarunner - 8-4-2008 at 07:04 PM

David,
Why not post some references on how to navigate out to the ocean beach- por favor...
It is a lovely beach, albeit quite a convoluted way to get out there, and once there generally totally deserted.

Oh yeah, for those spending a night in E.R.
The night life is sort of...
well.....
ahem.....
shall we say, somewhat nonexistent,
and tough to find a good dinner after dark as well.

But Baja Cactus Motel is very nice...

Lee - 8-4-2008 at 07:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by openeyes
You better clear your throat as I can not hear you.


David K is a benefit and asset to this Forum. Is that a problem?

Good work, David.

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-4-2008 at 07:32 PM

I love El Rosario...

confess

gibson - 8-4-2008 at 08:25 PM

I've been out-trolled and out-lurked by these obviously connected idiots. Consequently I've seen the light (no panic... nothing religious)
I hereby apologise to all I've offended.
salut amigos y deportes bien. xxoo

Udo - 8-4-2008 at 08:58 PM

I love and second David K's comments about El Rosario and Baja Cactus. If I can find my photos of the beaches West of El Rosario I would post them. It's not hard to get there...after filling up, head right (if going South) to the first dirt road you see. In about 45 minutes you'll be at a near pristine beach. Very cold water. Surf sucks.
David:
How did you do the montages in the photo pages you posted. Excellent photos! This is what Nomads are about!

Thanks for posting them.

David K - 8-4-2008 at 10:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by thebajarunner
David,
Why not post some references on how to navigate out to the ocean beach- por favor...
It is a lovely beach, albeit quite a convoluted way to get out there, and once there generally totally deserted.

Oh yeah, for those spending a night in E.R.
The night life is sort of...
well.....
ahem.....
shall we say, somewhat nonexistent,
and tough to find a good dinner after dark as well.

But Baja Cactus Motel is very nice...


You do have to look at what I linked Dick!

On page 4 of the 206 web page : http://vivabaja.com/page4.html

EL ROSARIO to LA BOCANA (High Road)

0.0 mi. Turn Right off highway at the sharp bend in town.

Continue west passing by the road left to El Rosario de Abajo and Punta Baja.

0.8 mi. Fork, go right.

1.2 mi. Fork, go right... road heads uphill.

1.5 mi. Pass palapas and banana trees, climb hill.

2.2 mi. View point, see La Bocana beach.

2.6 mi. Go straight, left is a poor road.

2.9 mi. Fork, go left... Ahead is a locked gate.

3.0 mi. Fork, go left... Right is the entrance gate to Diamante Del Mar.

3.6 mi. Fork, go ahead/ left. Right is a poor road.

3.9 mi. Fork, go right, to the beach.

5.3 mi. La Bocana Beach




EL ROSARIO to LA BOCANA (Valley Road, 4WD)

0.0 mi. Turn Right (west) off Highway 1 at the sharp curve in El Rosario.

In about 100 yards, turn left on road for El Rosario de Abajo and Punta Baja.

Cross over El Rosario river culvert pipe and soon turn right in the river valley, some water crossings before reaching the south bank of the river and entering the town of El Rosario de Abajo.

1.5 mi. El Rosario Museum, on left. Photos taken inside at http://vivabaja.com/505/page6.html

1.6 mi. Rosario de Abajo mission ruins, on right.

2.5 mi. Road left for Punta San Antonio and the coast south of Punta Baja.

2.9 mi. Road left for Punta Baja, continue ahead (west).

3.1 mi. Turn right for La Bocana, deep water crossing soon.

4.2 mi. Come to a fence, turn left to opening then continue west, Deep sand ahead.

5.1 mi. La Bocana Beach

There are many photos of the beach on that page and other pages in the links I provided...

David K - 8-4-2008 at 10:20 PM

Here's a nice one of Antonio at La Bocana beach...


David K - 8-4-2008 at 10:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
I love and second David K's comments about El Rosario and Baja Cactus. If I can find my photos of the beaches West of El Rosario I would post them. It's not hard to get there...after filling up, head right (if going South) to the first dirt road you see. In about 45 minutes you'll be at a near pristine beach. Very cold water. Surf sucks.
David:
How did you do the montages in the photo pages you posted. Excellent photos! This is what Nomads are about!

Thanks for posting them.


The pleasure is mine Udo!

I first do a trip report here on Nomad (go back over the years to see them).

Then I select the best photos (I think) that show an area or activity and make a web page with captions under each photo decribing what the photo is of. I usually give details on how to get there. I have a WebTV (now MSN-TV) device that allows me to make web pages easily (no html knowledge needed).

After some time on my WebTV site for me to make additions or edits, I ask my web host (Dick Van Bree of electraweb.com) or Doug (who also is a web host) to 'save' the WebTV web page onto my vivabaja.com web site.

Just yesterday, my Memorial Day weekend trip to Shell Island web page was moved to VivaBaja.com. It does take some computer talent and html skills to do this and I am not yet good enough!

You can find all my post Internet trips (1999 +) that I made web sites for at VivaBaja.com listed in order.

Also, the VivaBaja parties (and BBBB, Pyramid Resort, etc. events), other Nomad's trip photos, my Baja missions web pages and other Baja links are there for YOU ALL to use and enjoy!

[Edited on 8-5-2008 by David K]

dean miller - 8-5-2008 at 07:26 AM

David,
Once again delighted to read and view your pictures.

There are also off shore underwater attractions that probably should be included for the water enthusiast.

Union- wrecked in 1851 off Geronimo island near Punta Baja

Sacramento - wrecked in 1872 on the reef that now bears its name. Located about 12 miles south of Punta Baja.

Very little remains of either ship.

The Union was laden with silver coins which on occasion are found washed up in the surf line. Therefore, it just might be an attraction for the person with the metal detector.

The Sacramento was a load stone for a group of Orange County divers in the 1950s; first overland via 4x4 WW 11 Dodge power wagons pulling small out boards which were launched through the surf. The reef was always to turbulent for adequate exploration so very little was recovered.

In 1958 or 9 (?) then OC Aquatic Center dive shop owner Bob Rutherford organized a dive trip to the Sacramento on the large private yacht the "Double Eagle." The wreck displayed a debris field all over the top and sides of the reef. No gold or silver was recovered since it had been removed just days after the ship hit the reef and before the sinking. However the reef was loaded with huge very tame lobsters which were harvested and enjoyed by all at every meal .

The only trophy was a rather large solid brass hatch cover which was salvaged (as I recall by) Norm Robinson who transformed it in to a coffee table for his home.

The trip was reported in both the San Diego and Orange county papers. Since the activity began in the then very rural OC and most of the participants were from OC on an OC berthed boat, the event made headlines in the "OC Register." Copies may be still be available in their archive section

I made one more trip to that area- Punta Baja - during Thanksgiving of 1961 (I believe) Didn't dive on that trip... My only and lasting recollection of that venture was the cold; the bone chilling cold of that November wind

Those adventures were of another time long ago of a Baja all but forgotten but for a few. Almost all the participants of the Double Eagle trip are now in that big reef in the sky..

Keep up the great work...You are a great documentor of modern Baja, which is slowly slipping away

La Bocana (the beach)

thebajarunner - 8-5-2008 at 08:06 AM

Thanks David,
Slid right by that post the first time

The low road (South side of the river) is really too sandy for 2 wheel drive.

The high road (right past Baja Cactus) has many strange twists and turns,

but it is a great and deserted destination, for sure...

David K - 8-5-2008 at 08:08 AM

Thanks Dean for the added history and story! Very kind, too!

David K - 8-5-2008 at 08:09 AM

No problema 'runner!:biggrin:

dean miller - 8-5-2008 at 08:37 AM

David,
Your post stirred a bunch of long dormant memories..of the...
"Days of our Dives"

An addendum to my post; Re trucks used on those trips

We used three WW 11 4X4 Dodge Power wagons ( I think they acquired that name as the civilian model after WW11.)

** A Command/ Radio truck...open cab with side curtains..Great in good weather--fun to ride in. Was wrecked in Central America on another trip.
** A 1943 3/3 ton ambulance which was installed a HP Rix compressor, filters and 2 large D size accumulator bottles. Racks on the side and front for gas and supplies. Late model seats from a modern automobile of the era.
** A 1942 1/2 ton ambulance (mine) with a top rack made from a bed frame ( No Yakima Rack in those days)
racks on the side and front for gas and supplies. Four fold down stretchers for sleeping and supply storage, which were removed after the trip and three late model automobile seats were installed. Sold it in 1963 or 4 for $325.00.

Certainly a contrast to today's vehicles and mode of travel.

Martyman - 8-5-2008 at 09:23 AM

Dean;
Thanks for the posts about "back in the day". It must have been quite an adventure!
Martyman

dean miller - 8-5-2008 at 09:44 AM

Them wer tha daz ; "The days of our dives.."

Now time depart the historical aspect and to get back to the original thread ; "Things to do and see around El Rosario" which David, as expected from him, has assembled a fantastic presentation.

<Thanks David for allowing me to recall the past from my dimming memory>

David K - 8-5-2008 at 01:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dean miller
Them wer tha daz ; "The days of our dives.."

Now time depart the historical aspect and to get back to the original thread ; "Things to do and see around El Rosario" which David, as expected from him, has assembled a fantastic presentation.

<Thanks David for allowing me to recall the past from my dimming memory>


Your additions to the thread make it all that more enjoyable, Dean!