BajaNomad

Baja Grande 2008: Mision Santa Maria de los Angeles

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 01:55 PM

Mission Impossible (yes, it almost was):

The ruins of Mision Santa Maria de Los Angeles are reached along an old bulldozed road which almost served as the link between Cataviņa to Guerrero Negro. Almost, because as you near the famous Camino Real, the boulders appear to grow in size, and the escarpment above Gonzaga Bay was steep enough to discourage the bulldozers from traveling further. So, 1 mile after passing the mission, the road turns into the Mexican version of the Rubicon Trail. This was finally exciting for Tom who complained that this trail resembled a 'family trail.' Tom ran a portion of the rocks which led down to the smooth granite pools, but we decided it was time head back to Hwy 1. After a fast stop at the Mission ruins, we hit the trail. One obstacle which lay between Hwy 1 and the Mission is "The Swamp." With a dense group of rare Blue Fan Palms, tall grasses, and lots of muddy water, The Swamp is a legendary obstacle on the Mission Impossible trail. Near The Swamp, I tackled a rocky outcropping before entering this sloppy mangrove.
Inside of the swamp, there are tire tracks filled with water - some are 2 to 3 feet in depth. These small pools do not look imposing, but after running into a water-filled track, and getting stopped by a tree root, my Jeep could not travel forward. I hit reverse, and because I was in 2WD, my Interco TrXus MTs simply dug me in about a foot deeper. I tried shifting into 1st gear, but the root stopped me, digging me in deeper, throwing my Jeep off camber inside of the mud pool. The engine died after hearing a strange gargling sound. The engine was now dead. After repeated attempts to restart the engine, and only hearing a frying, gargling noise, I realized I had a vapor-lock situation on my hands, and possibly I would need a tow back to the USA. My brain exploded with logisticals, and I quickly went into panic mode. David told me to "stay calm", and Ron hooked up my new TeraFlex tow strap to my rear anchor point, and I was eventually pulled out of the muck by Tom's TJ Sport. Covered in smelly mud, I had to made due, and drive the Jeep to the other side of the swamp where my exhaust system was able to drain out. Although, the trail felt like a 'Family Trail' coming in, David's TTB-equipped Ford Bronco needed quite a bit of coaxing to get up the Widowmaker grades, and back to flat earth. by 6 p.m., our group was at the Desert Inn (formerly La Pinta), where we dined on seafood, steaks, and Italian food. Our drive back to Cataviņa was uneventful until we began to reach the easternmost part of town. Mud slides reduced traction on the street, and our clean vehicles now resembled mud bogging competitors.

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 01:56 PM

Ralph Shoemaker


Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 01:59 PM







Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 02:02 PM





BAJACAT - 11-30-2008 at 02:03 PM

Hey where is the Mission,I hope you took pix Ken, is the main entrance wall still satnding?

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 02:05 PM






BAJACAT - 11-30-2008 at 02:08 PM

Ken where is the mission?

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 02:09 PM







BAJACAT - 11-30-2008 at 02:11 PM

You answer my question tanks Ken great report and pix, it was a pleasure metting you.

[Edited on 11-30-2008 by BAJACAT]

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 02:12 PM







Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 02:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
You aswer my question tanks Ken great report and pix, it was a pleasure metting you.


Jose, it was a pleasure meeting you and your friend. Thanks for the t-shirt purchases. I hope you wear them out so you'll buy new ones next year??? Hopefully, you will accompany us on the trip next November also.

BajaGringo - 11-30-2008 at 02:15 PM

Great photos, story and posts Ken...

BAJACAT - 11-30-2008 at 02:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
You aswer my question tanks Ken great report and pix, it was a pleasure metting you.


Jose, it was a pleasure meeting you and your friend. Thanks for the t-shirt purchases. I hope you wear them out so you'll buy new ones next year??? Hopefully, you will accompany us on the trip next November also.
Next year I will not only buy one,but I will go with you in your trip..

Elena La Loca - 11-30-2008 at 03:25 PM

Great trip report...glad you all made it out safely. Ralph is sure a special guy, isn't he...an angel of sorts? Those of us who know him well, know that he does what he does only cuz he loves doing it. He sure knows that neck of the woods. He was a bit concerned about your group when he thought you guys were overdue returning and he cut short his conversation on 80 meters that night, saying he might have to go on a "mission". You musta cruised past their place shortly thereafter & when we spoke the next morning he reported that all was well. Thanks for sharing your report.

David K - 11-30-2008 at 04:08 PM

"These small pools do not look imposing, but after running into a water-filled track, and getting stopped by a tree root, my Jeep could not travel forward. I hit reverse, and because I was in 2WD, my Interco TrXus MTs simply dug me in about a foot deeper."

WHY WERE YOU IN 2WD? You have a 'Trail Rated' Jeep with front and rear lockers. It is spinning 2WD tires that wreck the roads. Geeze Ken, it would drive me crazy seeing what you guys were doing instead of just enjoying the tough road and beautiful sites. Also, why did you drive all the way back to Cataviņa for the c-ckroach motel/ cold water showers instead of camping at the beautiful oasis and mission ruins? Oh well, to each his own thrill... Thanks for the report.

bacquito - 11-30-2008 at 04:49 PM

Thanks for the photos and report-interesting!

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 04:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
"These small pools do not look imposing, but after running into a water-filled track, and getting stopped by a tree root, my Jeep could not travel forward. I hit reverse, and because I was in 2WD, my Interco TrXus MTs simply dug me in about a foot deeper."

WHY WERE YOU IN 2WD? You have a 'Trail Rated' Jeep with front and rear lockers. It is spinning 2WD tires that wreck the roads. Geeze Ken, it would drive me crazy seeing what you guys were doing instead of just enjoying the tough road and beautiful sites. Also, why did you drive all the way back to Cataviņa for the c-ckroach motel/ cold water showers instead of camping at the beautiful oasis and mission ruins? Oh well, to each his own thrill... Thanks for the report.


I was shifting in and out of 4WD every one or two minutes. After cruising over the rock cropping, I shifted into 2WD. It was sufficient to get me through the swamp on our trip in.

On tough sections, I run 4WD. On the really tough stuff, I run 4WD w/the rear locker. With all of the weight on my rear axle, hopping and digging will only destroy my driveline. I have to get to work in that Jeep tomorrow morning, so destroying the route was not my objective.

I know that when a person drives a Jeep, the first thing they think is that they're out to wreck the environment. We kept our vehicles AWAY from the adobe walls. However, we did see tire tracks that ran over the ruins. These were an All-Terrain-type pattern similar to the tire pattern that we followed into the Mission that morning. In 2WD, I was doing fine before I ran into that tree root. Had I known the tree root would have stopped me, I would have been in 4LO instead. Tread Lightly.

Ken Cooke - 11-30-2008 at 05:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David KAlso, why did you drive all the way back to Cataviņa for the c-ckroach motel/ cold water showers instead of camping at the beautiful oasis and mission ruins? Oh well, to each his own thrill... Thanks for the report.


Plan A was to camp in Santa Rosalillita. But, it was raining cats & dogs. Plan B was to stay at Rancho Santa Ines, but the place was closed because the employees went home - this is according to Ralph Shoemaker. Plan C was to camp at Rancho Santa Ines. But, everyone was tired of cold showers, and wanted hot showers. We were also tired of community restrooms. Plan D involved us staying at the less expensive Cabaņas Lindas Motel. There was griping about the cold weather, catching a cold, and the two girls' health was their father's concern.

Steve&Debby - 11-30-2008 at 09:24 PM

Ken, Is this run down by Gonsaga Bay? Looks interesting,might even have to lock the hubs on my CJ:spingrin::spingrin:

Barry A. - 11-30-2008 at 10:02 PM

Ken---------Have those palms been burned for some time, or do you think recent??

Barry

David K - 11-30-2008 at 10:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Steve&;Debby
Ken, Is this run down by Gonsaga Bay? Looks interesting,might even have to lock the hubs on my CJ:spingrin::spingrin:


Steve/Debbie, I do a pretty complete trip report with photos, map, milages, etc. into Mision Santa Maria... Which is in the hills, west of Gonzaga Bay/ Punta Final... However, the only road comes in from Santa Ynez/ Cataviņa on Hwy. 1. Go to: http://vivabaja.com/msm

David K - 11-30-2008 at 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Ken---------Have those palms been burned for some time, or do you think recent??

Barry


Barry, the palms were burned before I first went in in 1999. Matilda at Santa Ynez said a loco gringo did it...?? How would she know unless it was a confession? Perhaps another burn was more recent, they do look blacker in Ken's picture than I recall from my last time in, in 2007.

David K - 11-30-2008 at 10:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
"These small pools do not look imposing, but after running into a water-filled track, and getting stopped by a tree root, my Jeep could not travel forward. I hit reverse, and because I was in 2WD, my Interco TrXus MTs simply dug me in about a foot deeper."

WHY WERE YOU IN 2WD? You have a 'Trail Rated' Jeep with front and rear lockers. It is spinning 2WD tires that wreck the roads. Geeze Ken, it would drive me crazy seeing what you guys were doing instead of just enjoying the tough road and beautiful sites. Also, why did you drive all the way back to Cataviņa for the c-ckroach motel/ cold water showers instead of camping at the beautiful oasis and mission ruins? Oh well, to each his own thrill... Thanks for the report.


I was shifting in and out of 4WD every one or two minutes. After cruising over the rock cropping, I shifted into 2WD. It was sufficient to get me through the swamp on our trip in.

On tough sections, I run 4WD. On the really tough stuff, I run 4WD w/the rear locker. With all of the weight on my rear axle, hopping and digging will only destroy my driveline. I have to get to work in that Jeep tomorrow morning, so destroying the route was not my objective.

I know that when a person drives a Jeep, the first thing they think is that they're out to wreck the environment. We kept our vehicles AWAY from the adobe walls. However, we did see tire tracks that ran over the ruins. These were an All-Terrain-type pattern similar to the tire pattern that we followed into the Mission that morning. In 2WD, I was doing fine before I ran into that tree root. Had I known the tree root would have stopped me, I would have been in 4LO instead. Tread Lightly.


I know you do not damage historic sites or vegetation with your Jeep... However, once you leave Rancho Santa Ynez and come to the first deep sand or that big ravine crossing less than 2 miles away, that's where one needs 4WD to avoid spinning tires or to climb out... and there is no reason to shift out of 4WD the rest of the way in or back out... Only shifting into and out of LOW RANGE is an option, for the several steep grades and descents. I mean, you 4WD is dying to be used since most of our vehicles are in 2WD every day... I know you will next time, right?:yes:

got 4WD?:light:;D

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2008 at 07:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Ken---------Have those palms been burned for some time, or do you think recent??

Barry


Barry, this is recent - since the past 12 months. It looked like a late summer or fall fire. The cow carcass is now gone (a good thing), and most of the critters that lived down in the swamp have moved on.

This photograph was taken exactly 12 months ago. Note the long skirts on the palm trees. These are now gone entirely. The ground is all burnt and all of the brush has been clearned by the burn as well.




Last week:



[Edited on 12-1-2008 by Ken Cooke]

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2008 at 07:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David KI know you do not damage historic sites or vegetation with your Jeep... However, once you leave Rancho Santa Ynez and come to the first deep sand or that big ravine crossing less than 2 miles away, that's where one needs 4WD to avoid spinning tires or to climb out... and there is no reason to shift out of 4WD the rest of the way in or back out... Only shifting into and out of LOW RANGE is an option, for the several steep grades and descents. I mean, you 4WD is dying to be used since most of our vehicles are in 2WD every day... I know you will next time, right?:yes:

got 4WD?:light:;D


The Rubicon has a 4:1 gear reduction in the beefed-up transfer case. This means, you can travel in 4th gear at roughly 10 miles per hour. I can only have 5 gears, so I had to shift out of 4LO. Also, gasoline consumtion skyrockets when you are in 4WD. Another issue is in the swamp, there are downed trees now which are closer to the trail, and the maneuverability of 2WD makes it easier to avoid dinging your rig. The downside of course, I slipped into a small muddy ditch with a tree root that blocked my passage. In 4LO, I would have easily walked right over this. In hindsight, 4LO and locked would have been the better option. Traveling alone, my Jeep would still be there if the winch/electrical system was to malfunction. I got covered in mud, and the water line was all the way up to my passenger-side turn indicator. 4LO next time for sure. :!:

Iflyfish - 12-1-2008 at 08:29 AM

You guys are NUTS!!! Incredible trip, great report, loved the pics. Thanks for sharing a trip that I and many other Nomads will never do.

Iflyfish

larry - 12-1-2008 at 08:35 AM

Great info and photos! Thanks Ken.

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2008 at 09:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish
You guys are NUTS!!! Incredible trip, great report, loved the pics. Thanks for sharing a trip that I and many other Nomads will never do.

Iflyfish


Nuts??? US??? Nah... Get a 4WD and come join us next year. I'm dying to visit San Borja. :bounce:

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2008 at 09:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACATNext year I will not only buy one,but I will go with you in your trip..


That's great news, Jose!! :bounce: Tell your wife, we will return in 1 piece! hahaha

BAJACAT - 12-1-2008 at 09:59 PM

Me no problem , but my truck will be a dif. story, looking at your pictures I think I will have a hard time taking on the SMM. rd.

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2008 at 10:05 PM



First thing, I would remove the steps. Their mounts will get bent, and that's no good for you or your truck's resale value. Wax the paint before the trip, so you can buff out the scratches, or just rent/borrow another vehicle so you can enjoy the fun without incurring any unnecessary expenses to your beauty of a truck.

David K - 12-2-2008 at 09:32 AM

Ken, the road into San Borja is a 2WD easy road (22 miles from the L.A. Bay highway or the same from Hwy. 1 at Rosarito)... See the photos in my web site.

Ken Cooke - 12-2-2008 at 06:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Ken, the road into San Borja is a 2WD easy road (22 miles from the L.A. Bay highway or the same from Hwy. 1 at Rosarito)... See the photos in my web site.


2WD is not necessarily a bad thing. You should see how damaged my tire carrier is. I never thought I could break a Garvin Wilderness rack. :!:

BAJACAT - 12-2-2008 at 08:55 PM

Ken do you have more pictures of the Mission you want to share..please,please,

Ken Cooke - 12-2-2008 at 10:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
Ken do you have more pictures of the Mission you want to share..please,please,






David K - 12-3-2008 at 10:05 AM

That's better Ken! If you have more like them... please!

You can insert captions between the images to tell peope what they are looking at.

The shot of Punta Final on the Sea of Cortez (as seen from the peninsular divide on the road to Mision Santa Maria) is great!

Ken Cooke - 12-3-2008 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David KYou can insert captions between the images to tell peope what they are looking at.

Israeli Military Veteran freezing in sub-zero Baja winds. :!:
Sea of Cortez and Punta Final is in the background. :!:


Israeli Military Veterans, a U.S. Military Veteran, and a Baja Grande non-Veteran standing near the entrance to all the exciting stuff w/a small patch of the Sea of Cortez in the background (righthand side). :!:


[Edited on 12-4-2008 by Ken Cooke]

BAJACAT - 12-3-2008 at 08:01 PM

THANKS KEN, if those pix. don't make people want to go there, I don't know what will. I hope next year I can visit this great place...

Ken Cooke - 12-4-2008 at 07:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
THANKS KEN, if those pix. don't make people want to go there, I don't know what will. I hope next year I can visit this great place...
The guys had a blast fishing as well. These are pics of the guys fishing in the Gonzaga area. Lots of bites and plenty of fresh fish!!




Ken Cooke - 12-4-2008 at 09:22 PM







Ken Cooke - 12-4-2008 at 09:25 PM




Me (right), Ron and Iris

Ken Cooke - 12-4-2008 at 09:29 PM













Dining at The Desert Inn - Cataviņa

Bajafun777 - 12-4-2008 at 09:56 PM

Great Job Ken, enjoyed the photos and I would not even try climbing over those rocks!!!! Beach, San Dunes, and things like that are my speed. Later-------- bajafun777

Ken Cooke - 12-4-2008 at 10:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
Great Job Ken, enjoyed the photos and I would not even try climbing over those rocks!!!! Beach, San Dunes, and things like that are my speed. Later-------- bajafun777


Try getting stuck at the tree dead center on Thanksgiving day! That is the tree that nearly sank my Rubicon. I choked the engine, and couldn't go ANYWHERE as a result. It was fun, but the interior still needs cleaning out.

Barry A. - 12-4-2008 at 10:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke


You should see how damaged my tire carrier is. I never thought I could break a Garvin Wilderness rack. :!:


Ken-----What in the world did you hit to break that tire carrier?-----it is WAY off the ground. (???)

That incident sounds like a "story" in itself.

I am bettin I could get my "off road" model, lifted, and with rear locker Nissan X-terra in there ok. What do you think?? If David K got his Toyota in there, I can get my rig in---right?? I also have a front and rear warn 9500 winch, so could even pull you (or myself) out of the mud hole. :lol:

It drives me nuts when crazy folks burn those palms---I have seen so much of that over the many years----it occasionally is done by lightning, but most often by vandals. Knotheads!!

Love that incredible "rock garden" country!!

Barry

Ken Cooke - 12-4-2008 at 11:22 PM

Barry, with a rear locker and 31"+ tires, you are in business. The mud was deep in some of those swamp sections, and what you couldn't see was what messed you up the most.

The Garvin Wilderness Rack system was damaged by the nonstop Baja dirt roads. These roads literally destroyed the "bulletproof" Wildnerness Rack. 2 filled Gerry cans, a filled Coleman Extreme Cooler, a 33" TrXus MT tire and a Hi-Lift jack did this rack in. 5 years of use, but thankfully, no abuse have virtually killed this rack.

This Wildnerness Rack system pulled TW across the streets of Mexicali in '07.

This Wildnerness Rack has become a serious part of my Baja travels since I bought the Jeep in 2003 for the purpose of seeing Baja on a more regular basis.

David K - 12-5-2008 at 08:12 AM

Thanks for the additional photos Ken... The gas dealer at Cataviņa, the road to Mision Santa Maria, and your group...

Barry, you will have no problem going in... it is a just take it really slow road... Allow 3 hours for the 15 miles (with photo stops)... seriously! I have been over that road 6 times (3 trips, round trip) and 2 1/2 hours is a fast time!:light::o

Baja Angel really liked it as a 20 year CJ-5 Renegade owner, who has driven the Rubicon (the road near Tahoe, not the Wrangler model) saying the road to Santa Maria is the closest thing to a challange like the Rubicon she has seen in Baja.

Here's The Squarecircle's new Land Rover LR3 coming down the 'Widowmaker' near the mission... some natives who visited us the next morning, us at the mission, and my truck going back up it a couple days later! (more photos at http://vivabaja.com/msm )









[Edited on 12-5-2008 by David K]

BAJACAT - 12-5-2008 at 07:52 PM

Ken is SMM included it for next year, or are you thinking only San Borja

2009 Baja Grande

Ken Cooke - 12-5-2008 at 08:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
Ken is SMM included it for next year, or are you thinking only San Borja


I want to visit San Felipe (1 night), Gonzaga Bay (2 nights), LA Bay (1 night), San Borja (1 night), Mission Santa Maria (1 night), El Rosario (1 night).

San Felipe had great shopping, and it was a great place to stock up on supplies/have dinner.

Everyone had so much fun fishing in Gonzaga Bay, that this would be a great place to focus more time next year.

LA Bay has an Internet Cafe, a great restaurant in town, and the beaches are stellar.

San Borja needs to be seen & experienced at a slow pace.

Mission Santa Maria will get 1 night (Thanksgiving), and El Rosario (guess where??).

BAJACAT - 12-5-2008 at 08:44 PM

COOL.

David K - 12-6-2008 at 10:34 AM

Good plan Ken!

You think anyone is up for a hike on the El Camino Real near Gonzaga (to or towards Mision Santa Maria)?

Ken Cooke - 12-6-2008 at 11:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Good plan Ken!

You think anyone is up for a hike on the El Camino Real near Gonzaga (to or towards Mision Santa Maria)?


Russ wanted to check it out. The rest of us were tired, and Tomra wanted to put on a show with his Jeep on the rocks at the end of the road.

I want to do a hike there next year. Hopefully, the weather will hold up next year, and we can locate that Camino Real. The last 2 years were very "iffy" with regard to dark storm clouds and windy/cold weather.

Pappy Jon - 1-4-2009 at 09:37 AM

Post resurrection here.

Ken, when you arrived at the oasis and started through the wet spot, you imply it was nasty. I was there in March and while it was its usual wet, the only obstacle I had was a palm log across the trail. I was unable to move it, and finally just went around it. Had the trail become more dug out with deeper mud holes?

Ken Cooke - 1-4-2009 at 07:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pappy Jon
Post resurrection here.

Had the trail become more dug out with deeper mud holes?


The trail had a little bit of mud in it, but mainly the holes contained more water from 2 previous nights of rains which soaked the ground and added to the water level.



This was the location where my front tire got stuck on an underwater root and the rear tire dug in really deep. The Jeep nearly flopped itself over on its side, and the exhaust couldn't exhale here. It was a bad situation that I thought would have left me stranded. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

David K - 1-6-2009 at 06:08 PM

In May, 2007, it was totally dry... my other times in (May-1999, April-2003) it was very wet, under water!

Ken Cooke - 1-10-2009 at 11:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
In May, 2007, it was totally dry... my other times in (May-1999, April-2003) it was very wet, under water!


The ground was fairly saturated in late Nov. due to all of the storm activity in the area. This had lots to do with me getting stuck on that tree root.

cymeryss - 2-23-2009 at 12:54 AM

Sorry to revive this old post, but I wanted to ask you guys (Ken, David, or anybody else who has been there recently - Mission Santa Maria), if there are any major water crossings? I will be there next weekend on a motorcycle and would like to know what to prepare for. Ken, it looks like the the place that got you stuck might be sketchy (staying dry) for a motorcycle, or was it just raining there? Any input greatly appreciated...thanks. I have been planning to visit MSM for quite some time now (3-4 years) but it never seem to work out, but this next weekend it will happen...he.he

World exclusive! Here is the lost video footage of the Baja Grande 2008

ELINVESTIG8R - 2-23-2009 at 06:38 AM






[Edited on 2-23-2009 by ELINVESTI8]

Barry A. - 2-23-2009 at 10:39 AM

Bump!!!

David K - 2-23-2009 at 11:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cymeryss
Sorry to revive this old post, but I wanted to ask you guys (Ken, David, or anybody else who has been there recently - Mission Santa Maria), if there are any major water crossings? I will be there next weekend on a motorcycle and would like to know what to prepare for. Ken, it looks like the the place that got you stuck might be sketchy (staying dry) for a motorcycle, or was it just raining there? Any input greatly appreciated...thanks. I have been planning to visit MSM for quite some time now (3-4 years) but it never seem to work out, but this next weekend it will happen...he.he


The only water crossing is the 'bog' where Ken stuck his Jeep (in 2WD)... that is less than a mile from the mission... after you drop down the 'widowmaker' grade into the first palm oasis.

My first time through was May, 1999 with Baja Mur... He was on a motorcycle and I was on a quad. There was NO PROBLEM for either of us riding through the water and reeds in the bog... the only question was where was the road? We just continued straight through the palms until we saw the track leading out of the water to the right.

See the 1999 photos... http://www.vivabaja.com/missionsm/

and many more here on Mur's page: http://bajamur.homestead.com/index.html

and the Gonzaga Bay side to the mission (Mur's page): http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/cove/6849/santamaria1.ht...

On the peninsular divide (9.9 miles from Santa Ynez):


In the bog on a m/c:


Mur ran out of gas (2 stroke bike really uses up the fuel fast!) and I has a tow strap in my back pack (Baja experienced)!:



[Edited on 2-23-2009 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 2-23-2009 at 10:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ELINVESTI8






Very cool!

cymeryss - 2-24-2009 at 12:35 AM

Thanks guys...will give a report once I am back.

BAJACAT - 1-20-2010 at 03:21 PM

Bump, reference for uncoming trip..

Ken Cooke - 1-20-2010 at 10:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
Bump, reference for uncoming trip..


Thanks 4 the bump:bounce:

BAJACAT - 1-20-2010 at 10:34 PM

no problem Ken, I like this place alot and soon is going to be taking off of my to- do list in Baja..

Ken Cooke - 1-28-2010 at 08:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
no problem Ken, I like this place alot and soon is going to be taking off of my to- do list in Baja..


Jose -- Just take plenty of photographs. I want to see those trucks in action!! :bounce:

BAJACAT - 1-28-2010 at 09:49 PM

well my friend i will be driving, so i may hire a photographer to help me on this one.. But I will do my best..