BajaNomad

Gonzaga Nov 9-13

larry - 11-17-2008 at 04:33 PM

My buddy Dan and I tent camped at Beluga last week. The wind was howling the first night (I slept in the Suburban) but after that, the weather was perfect--little to no wind, mid to high 80s. It was $15 per night (same as two years ago, but less than the $20 that someone recently posted here), although the other people that were there (a couple) negotiated a slightly lower price. Manuel, who is now in charge there told me that last month there were two groups that came in all month, and that there was no one there in
September. We had two meals at Alfonsina's--terrific as usual.

On the way down from Mexicali, we took an afternoon detour to Valle Chico (thanks to David K for the online maps and info) and hiked aways up Agua Caliente Canyon. This is an awesome place and we saw no one all afternoon anywhere in Valle Chico.

After a night in San Felipe, we proceeded to Gonzaga and shredded a tire within a couple miles of the end of the paved road at Puertecitos. We drove the rest of the way to Gonzaga without a spare. We managed to get a spare from the llantera behind Rancho Grande minimart. The Puertecitos to Gonzaga road was challenging as always.

Gonzaga, and Campo Beluga in particular, remains one of the greatest spots in the world to sit and look endlessly at a beautiful view with no distractions.

TMW - 11-17-2008 at 07:09 PM

["Gonzaga, and Campo Beluga in particular, remains one of the greatest spots in the world to sit and look endlessly at a beautiful view with no distractions."]

Thanks for the report. I agree, that area does have one of the greatest views.

David K - 11-18-2008 at 09:29 AM

GREAT! Did you get to the hot spring, see any new development in the canyon, etc.?

We are in Baja right now, and it is beautiful today, south of San Felipe!

david

desertcpl - 11-18-2008 at 02:13 PM

hi david k
wanted to ask you a question,, you really know baja,,
are you going to retire some day in baja,, what would be your pick of places that you would consider

larry - 11-18-2008 at 07:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
GREAT! Did you get to the hot spring, see any new development in the canyon, etc.?

We are in Baja right now, and it is beautiful today, south of San Felipe!


Are you in Nuevo Mazatlan? I drove in there and looked around on the way to Gonzaga--what a great spot! I guess that windmill powers a well that accounts for the trees being able to grow there.

At Agua Caliente, I parked at the metal reservoir (probably could have driven somewhat further) and we walked about two miles up the canyon I would guess. Came to one tiny little pool with a lot of scum on it. Then a series of bigger ponds connected by a little stream, I believe. I would have liked to keep going, but it was getting dark--did I miss something spectacular? If so, I will have to go back.

David K - 11-18-2008 at 08:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larry
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
GREAT! Did you get to the hot spring, see any new development in the canyon, etc.?

We are in Baja right now, and it is beautiful today, south of San Felipe!


Are you in Nuevo Mazatlan? I drove in there and looked around on the way to Gonzaga--what a great spot! I guess that windmill powers a well that accounts for the trees being able to grow there.

At Agua Caliente, I parked at the metal reservoir (probably could have driven somewhat further) and we walked about two miles up the canyon I would guess. Came to one tiny little pool with a lot of scum on it. Then a series of bigger ponds connected by a little stream, I believe. I would have liked to keep going, but it was getting dark--did I miss something spectacular? If so, I will have to go back.


Hi Larry,

I presumed by the post above, you saw my photos of the Agua Caliente Canyon, hot spring, etc. http://vivabaja.com/403

What I was curious about : Is there a gate or lokced chain blocking vehicle access into the canyon (why did you walk, etc.). There was last Feb. according to a Nomad... because the hot spring campo wasn't ready... In 2000, there was a pot farm (or 'cilantro farm') being developed in there... maybe once again? http://vivabaja.com/baja_2001

David K - 11-18-2008 at 08:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by desertcpl
hi david k
wanted to ask you a question,, you really know baja,,
are you going to retire some day in baja,, what would be your pick of places that you would consider


This is Larry's trip report, but check your u2u. We just got back from San Felipe tonight and I will do a trip report, soon! Gracias para la pregunta!

[Edited on 11-19-2008 by David K]

bajalou - 11-18-2008 at 08:17 PM

The spring is about 6 miles from the tan. A friend was there last week and drove in but gave up at the deeper water he would have had to drive in. No closed gate last week.

David K - 11-18-2008 at 08:21 PM

Thank you Lou... I appreciate any new info on the Valle Chico Canyons...!

We wanted to go to Agua Caliente, but were unsure if the gate was locked still or be near the Baja 1000 pre-runners if we came out to the north. Was sure beautiful in San Felipe today!

larry - 11-18-2008 at 10:17 PM

Lou I neglected to acknowledge your good online information which I used as well. Thanks.

David There was no locked gate or chain. I just parked and started hiking having no idea what was ahead. I wouldn't have driven too much further based on what the path was like where I walked. Up a way from the open gate was what looked like an old "official" entrance--there were two signs laying on the ground with rules about camping, etc. I think it said Rancho Dona Julia. All along the path that I walked, there were two hoses that were bringing water down from up above. One of them was disintegrated, but there was water flowing in the other. It was insulated from the sun by having been wrapped in rags for at least a half mile of its length--quite a project.

One other thing--on the drive through Valle Chico, just before (cant remember exactly, but maybe a mile or so) the rancho at the Agua Caliente intersection, there was another road up toward the mountains. At the intersection, there was a sign that said "hotel". It is hard to believe that there is actually a hotel up there--anybody know anything about that.

David K - 11-19-2008 at 08:40 AM

Hi Larry,

That really needs more investigation (hotel)!!

There is a drug rehab center in Valle Chico, well signed 'Arco del Triunfo' or something like that ...

Lou, if you are back in San Felipe... your work is cut out for you!:light:

Otherwise, a Valle Chico/ San Pedro Martir Eastside Canyons update trip may be something I must do!

Here are previous web site trip pages that show the canyons and Valle Chico:

Dec. 31, 2000... Agua Caliente Canyon: http://www.vivabaja.com/baja_2001/index.html

Prez Day, 2001... Valle Chico/ Matomi Canyon: http://www.vivabaja.com/matomi/

Prez Day, 2004... Parral (Azufre) Canyon/ Valle Chico/ Matomi: http://www.vivabaja.com/204/page7.html

April, 2004... El Parral, El Berrendo, El Carrizo, Agua Caliente, El Cajon canyons: http://www.vivabaja.com/404/

January, 2006... El Berrendo Canyon: http://vivabaja.com/106/page3.html

June, 2006... Up Matomi from Hwy. 5 and out via Valle Chico: http://vivabaja.com/618/page4.html


larry - 11-19-2008 at 09:07 AM

No, it wasnt Arco de Triunfo. I would say it was approximately where Linda Vista is marked on your map, and there was a road there going west which is not marked on your map (unless I am just totally confused about where I was)

David K - 11-19-2008 at 07:55 PM

Anything is possible! Perhaps something new? The Baja 1000 is coming into Valle Chico in 2 days part way... About to the letter 'E' in 'East Valley Road', on my map... then heads east and back north to San Felipe.