We will be in the vicinity of Los Barriles for the month of April. Any recommended day hikes, cave paintings, or other interesting
off-the-beaten-track sights?
Thank you.David K - 2-17-2009 at 04:35 PM
The canyon, waterfalls and hot springs, just west of Santiago & Agua Caliente are a hit with those who go!
The oldest mine (silver) and mill ruins in all of California are the Real de Santa Ana (started about 1748) and are a short hike off the San Antonio
de la Sierra road, between San Antonio and San Bartolo (u2u for GPS data).
Also search Nomad for 'Manuel de Ocio' the head of the mine operations.
>>> Manuel de Ocio was a Spanish soldier born in 1700, stationed at Loreto around 1733, saved the life of a Jesuit priest (Father Taraval of
Todos Santos), and got involved in California's pearl industry.
Pearl harvesting had been steadily declining, but by 1748 Ocio had claimed the rich silver fields of 'Santa Ana', south of today's San Antonio, south
of La Paz.
California's first mine 'Real de Santa Ana' was the creation of Manuel de Ocio, who also raised cattle, built ships, and was California's first
tycoon.
Don Manuel de Ocio was mudered in 1771 by two miners while they robbed his storehouse.<<<
[Edited on 2-17-2009 by David K]mulegemichael - 2-17-2009 at 04:45 PM
david's got it right with the waterfalls/hot springs out of santiago...it costs now to visit them but well worth the few pesos they charge....also, el
triunfo, a mining town north of los barriles, has a music museum with a piano playing maestro, basket making factory and the ever popular eiffel
designed smelter chimney available for tour....just a fun day without a guide...also a trip down the coast to cabo pulmo for the day is fun if the
wind isnt blowing...you can dive off the coral reef that comes right up to the beach and have lunch at Nancy's restaurant in the village....a cool
place to visit just north of town is punta pescadero; one of the finest snorkeling places i've ever visited...there's a series of reefs just before
you get to hotel punta pescadero that will beckon to youkitjv - 2-17-2009 at 08:09 PM
Thanks. guys. Good stuff!gnukid - 2-17-2009 at 10:27 PM
Any arroyo is good, but how about Ramal Al Coro just past the pemex up the mountain, you might like to drive up and hike the final mountain to see
both sides of Baja and taste fresh fruits!
There are many cascadas to visit like Mayo del Sol where we dove 50' cliffs yesterday. Frank - 2-17-2009 at 11:13 PM
Top of my list for June!Bajahowodd - 2-18-2009 at 12:20 AM
Didn't that area suffer a major fire a couple of years ago?mulegemichael - 2-18-2009 at 08:35 AM
there's no indication of a fire presently up there....only down in santiago where there was a substantial fire a couple of weeks ago....another hike
that's fun is to the top of flattop rock, just a ways south of las barriles on the coast road..just look for a big "flat top" on the right hand side
as your headed south...it's just past the turnoff to rancho leonaro...a really fun hike up with an incredible vistagnukid - 2-18-2009 at 09:51 AM
Everyday we say we're going to do the Mesa hike which is not far from la cuerva turn off to La Ribera, but with sunrise plans often things change,
hope to do it real soon.
FYI The fire damage in Santiago is not an issue to discourage you from going... primarily a large grove was burned and a few buildings which now looks
like this:
kitjv - 2-18-2009 at 09:54 AM
Quote:
There are many cascadas to visit like Mayo del Sol where we dove 50' cliffs yesterday.
Mayo del Sol looks great. Can you please give some directions? Thanks!gnukid - 2-18-2009 at 10:16 AM
As you enter Santiago's main square go right, or I should say turn right before you hit the square or circle back. You'll head out on a main street
about 1km then take a left and at the y in the road go up the dirt road toward up on a mesa that runs along the city. You will continue on this road
to Mayo Del sol. There are now signs placed everywhere as the city is trying to direct people there. As you arrive there is another Y with a right
turn to enter the Mayo Del Sol park, there is anice place to park and bathrooms too. There was a guy at the entrance who asked for 90 pesos per
person, we paid what we could which was fine, but I bet if you went left you would get to the bottom and be able to hike up.
We used to do the hike before they made an entrance and it was pretty tough for seniors, now with the new entrance there are stairs built into the
mountain which is very nice and more safe.
Fun for everyone:
Here's Agua Caliente which is a few canyons to the other side of town:
kitjv - 2-18-2009 at 11:40 AM
Gnukid: Fantastic! Thank you! We will be in the Los Barriles area for 3 weeks. Since we will have our truck, we are looking forward to seeing some of
the out-of-the-way sights in BCS. Thanks again.
