Mision Santa Maria trip

Hello all

We want to share our latest trip with you. Here it goes.

First, about us:
We live in Tijuana and love Baja, we are mexican, my wife was born in Ensenada and I'm from Mexicali. Don't know if we would technically qualify as Bajanomads but anyway

We've been to Santa Maria before but had never driven all the way in because our friends would always backout from the trip and we had no confidence in driving there alone, besides it's too risky. We would always walk to mission and the pools.

Well, this time our friends backed at the last minute again so we decided to go anyway and walk to the mission (worst case).
We left our 2 year old son in Ensenada with her grandma and Friday morning @ 7:30 we left Ensenada and drove directly to Santa Inez. Only stopped at Costa Brava beach in San Quintin to check out the waves (wife's a surfer).


By 1pm we were there and stopped at the Ranch in Santa Inez and chatted for like an hour with Oscar Valdez and his wife, (if you go there you have to talk to them, very interesting and kind people); I aired down the tires, disconnected the sway bar and we were on our way.

Drove to the "widowmaker" and walked down to check out the condition of the swamp and decide if I could tackle the intimidating hill on our way back. After 10min I decided to do it. This time our Jeep XJ was better prepared than our previous jeeps and I had alot more experience in this type of "roads". We knew it was risky but went ahead anyway. I didn't have a chance to install the winch before the trip and have no lockers but have a very flexy suspension and 33" tires, 4.10 gears and an explorer 8.8 rear differential with disc brakes.

So we made it to the mission and stop for 10minutes, then we drove to the pools that are on the sandy arroyo (to the left). No "poza de la escuadra" this time because we had already been there before. We setup camp and had a wonderful time, beatiful place and romantic (now, you can keep the wife happy and off-road at the same time )
The weather was really nice although windy.
We were hopping to see the bighorn sheep but no luck this time, Oscar told us they come down when its really hot.




Next morning we decided to leave early just in case, by 7:30 we were packed and ready to go . The road was going to be difficult and carrying rocks in the midday sun would be no fun.
On our way out of the arroyo we saw a truck, it was a local guide and some people he was taking to the pools, we just waved and kept going.

The road was not as hard as we imagined, everything was somewhat easy except for the "widowmaker", I needed to get off the jeep sometimes to see what I was doing because my wife did not know how to guide me through the rocks. The bigger rocks would stop me, so I had to back up a little bit and step on it . Lower gears would have helped a lot.

We were at Santa Inez by 11am and my wife had a nice chat with Oscar's wife and 3 of their daughters. We aired up and left.

Stopped @ Tacos Mision in el Rosario and had a Torta de carne asada which was really good. Then the owner asked me regarding my www.baja4x4.org stickers and shirt so we talked for about and hour. Even David K. was a part of the conversation . By the way, if someone goes there, Hugo would love a copy of the movie Bajo California.

We tried driving to la Bocana but after a few minutes decided it was too far and drove to SQ.
Stayed at one of the hotels in the Bay.

Next morning stopped @ restaurant Viejo San Quintin wich has alway been really good. They serve the food we would normally eat at our parents house. I almost always have Carne con Nopales en chile colorado mmmmm (prickly pear cactus with meat and a sauce made with chiles but not hot). This time I had machaca con huevo which was really good.


Drove to Ensenada, pickup our kid and went home.

Don't have too many pictures, our 5 year old digital camera decided to quit working on this trip

I'll post a video as soon as a finish editing.

sorry for the long post
Cheers

[Edited on 6-15-2009 by BajaRoadrunner]

[Edited on 6-15-2009 by BajaRoadrunner]

That's how i knew about that pool, vivabaja.com is like a travel guide to me, thanks David.

TW. I don't think a vehicle would make it out without low range. Unless it's carried by a helicopter . Or at least I wouldn't try.

I'll post a link to the video in 1 or 2 days, we filmed the widowmaker both ways.

Thanks for the comments.

[Edited on 6-16-2009 by BajaRoadrunner]

Welcome to Nomad BajaRoadrunner!

TW (and I) saw this line in your post: "Lower gears would have helped a lot." and wondered if you had low range... Are you saying the Cherokee could have used a lower first gear (in low range)?

Glad you got out okay!

Isn't Hugo a nice guy and talented, too!

I have his painting of that oasis pool below the mission we all camped at... I will post it here as soon as I can find it!

[Edited on 6-16-2009 by David K]

Check it out, the elephant tree in the painting is real.



Hugo's paintings are so cool! I wish I could have 1 in each room.

By lower gears I meant something like a Rubicon transfer case. Not needed but would have made it easier.

Thanks for the picture.

[Edited on 6-16-2009 by BajaRoadrunner]

One of Roy's pictures at the oasis...

and here's one of mine ...

video

You do not need a guide for the 14 mile trip, there are only two side roads, at right angles and much fainter than the main road. But good advice not to go alone. I have been up the Widow Maker without a locker, but it really does help. Full size can make it fine, saw a Hummer (!) one time.
If my ancient wife can make it, anyone can! (As long as it is in a Toyota, huh, David K?)

Would the next person going in please take some clippers and trim all those branches that drag along the sides of the truck....

Me too, that's my favorite place in Baja. It has a special energy that I don't feel anywhere else.
The first time we were there it was very windy, when we got to the mission we could hear "deep voices chanting" something like monks hummmmmmmm; of course it was the wind in the canyon but it was so funny and freaky at the same time
Can't wait to be there for the 5th time...

Jose... when do you want to go?


























[Edited on 8-24-2009 by David K]

Hi Fred,

Yes... more difficult than the road down to EL VOLCAN (the springs 4 miles from El Marmol)! However, that is a good test to start with...

The only problem a Grand Cherokee may have is some under body damgage as we drive over some large rocks and ground clearance and short wheel base rigs are the way to go. A locking rear differential or some other traction control would be wise to climb back up the Widowmaker grade (seen in the photos above and the video).

I got one dent in the running board area below the door (I don't have running boards, but that is the area) from a large rock that that Roy's Land Rover pushed out I didn't avoid.

It is a 2.5 to 3 hour trip to go the 15 miles (including photo stops)... Extremely beautiful country... the best of Baja!

I have seen CJs, Wranglers, XJ Cherokees in there... The larger SUVs and full size pickups usually stop at the top of the Widowmaker (close to 2 miles from the mission) and walk or hitch hike with their friends, on in.

Last time, we camped at the oasis a mile past the mission and that is down an even steeper grade than then Widowmaker, but not rocky. That is where Baja Angel alerted us to the pack of Bighorn sheep walking the cliff right above our camp! http://vivabaja.com/msm




[Edited on 8-25-2009 by David K]

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Jose... when do you want to go? [Edited on 8-24-2009 by David K]

Very nice... at low tide, I guess? It will be a full moon, and at high tide you would discover why I call it Shell ISLAND instead of Shell Beach

Oh goodie!

I don't think I will have THAT much beer... better bring some more!

Sorry for my late reply, I've been really busy lately.

I'm always up for an offroading trip, I would go to SM once a month if it was closer.

I think anytime during October or November would be good weatherwise but... the pools will be REALLY COLD!

If you guys organize a trip, I'm there.

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaRoadrunner Quote: Originally posted by David K Hey BajaRoadrunner, are you planning any new off road trips? Sorry for my late reply, I've been really busy lately. I'm always up for an offroading trip, I would go to SM once a month if it was closer. I think anytime during October or November would be good weatherwise but... the pools will be REALLY COLD! If you guys organize a trip, I'm there.

I think you could do it... Just slow, low range crawling 4WD... and some ground clearance of 9" or more should limit the dings!

The top of the Widowmaker to the mission is just over a mile. The oasis is a mile past the mission and down an even steeper grade!

Anyway, going down is easy... Coming back up, that's another story!!!

[Edited on 10-10-2009 by David K]

4WD is a help... it is just the overall size that is an issue... the MSM road is the closest thing to the Rubicon that Baja has... If your rig can do the Tahoe Rubican run (which is typiclly limited to Jeep CJ's/ Wranglers, FJ-40s, short w/b rigs), then you are in like Flint!

There is a steep arroyo crossing just 1.8 miles from Rancho Santa Ynez that is a good 'cattle gaurd' to keep out the mild mannered SUVs or over size pick ups from getting into any more trouble.




If you have a hard time with that first grade, it only gets a LOT worse, closer to the mission... the final 3-5 miles... with the Widowmaker being just over 1 mile from the mission.




[Edited on 11-23-2009 by David K]

Anyway, let's go. I'll promise to shoot some nice video of the full size trucks in action.
At least you guys can tow me back if I brake something.

Lets go I got some rock climbing exp, i run a 2004 RAM 4x4, with limited slip dif in rear open dif in front, all this with a 6" lift susp, kit from fabtech aid by 35" PRO COMP A/T..., lots of straps to pull the small trucks...

The Widowmaker 2007 (Going Down)

Here now are all the photos from 3 cameras of the Widowmaker Grade... 13 1/2 miles from Rancho Santa Ynez.

Going down, to the mission (just over a mile away) was my 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4 door TRD 4WD, and The Squarecircle's new Land Rover LR-3.

2 days later, we returned, going UP the Widowmaker... the hard way! Some of these photos have not been shown before...

Just before the Widowmaker, the road passes this mountainside oasis... Amazing is the year-round quantity of water pouring from nearly the top of the mountain!



The Widowmaker (so named after blood was shed by both BajaMur and I during our first attempt at climbing it on a motorcycle and quad, in 1999).

Widowmaker 2007 (Going Up)

It was awesome, as usual!

To see and read more about Mision Santa Maria and the trip: http://vivabaja.com/msm

[Edited on 11-25-2009 by David K]

Presidents Day 2010

Presidents weekend is good for me. This could be a freight train that may live in infamy or be hailed as the greatest adventure since Lewis and Clark.

The Silver Streak is ready.

[Edited on 11-26-2009 by TW]

TW, It's even worse than a GIRL, she's 69.




Just before I married her 20 years ago for her Jeep:

Jim that was going to be my next question, David k quoted "VEHICLE LENGHT COULD BE THE PROBLEM". We can try it with our full size rigs, I have seen pix of Hummers (H2) in the mission ruins.... I say l;ets go PRESIDENTS DAY 2010 here we go, because maybe by 2012 all will be gone anyways...

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve&ebby Bajacat,first , take those steps off so the rocks don't do it for you.Then invest in lockers for the front and back.The lockers would be the best thing you could do,once locked you will never go back.I like the detroit lockers,no air lines or wires or cables to break.The only thing is they are not real street friendly.Locked front and rear and you should have no problem on this trail. EDM1,I would recomend getting a locker for the front of your rig.then you should be able to make it nice and slow. I have a CJ7 with dana 60's front and rear ,front has a detroit locker and the rear is welded.I have been through the Rubicon many times.My buddy runs a full size 1958 chevy pickup with a 454, dual transfer cases,Dana 60 front and rear,with detroit lockers, sometimes he puts his cabover camper on and goes through. It's all about takeing the right line through the rocks and takeing it slow.If you are not locked front and rear you will undoughtedly have to get on the throttle to make it over some rocks,thats when something will break. Just my two cents worth. Good luck

Bajacat,I would love to go,But I just landscaped my backyard and that may be my Baja money(DavidK I think you know how expencesive Landscapeing is:spingrin
Any way I will be watching BajaNomad for a date you decide on for the Santa Maria run.If I get a few more wells done and paid for I might be able to make the trip.
I would really recommend putting a locker in the front as well as the rear,you won't beleive how much easier it will be to go slowly over the rough stuff.
Last year when we were in Santispec I took my Jeep and my Canadian buddy ,Gordy, and went exploreing.Gordy had never seen what a Jeep like mine would do.We headed north towrds Mulege took a right turn on a dirt road after we went over the hill and headed toward the Sea of Cortez.We got to the ocean and turned back south toward Santispec.
Well everthing was fine for Gordy until we got to what Gordy thought would be the end of the road.The road continues on around the point and back to Santispec,But ther are rocks about 3 to 4 feet in diameter in the road and only motorcycles had been useing this road.Gordy said "I guess this is the end of the road.I got out and locked the hubs and drove over the rocks.There were rocks in the road all the way back to the beach at the point. A couple of times I even puckered to the seat when the road was only wide enough for the Jeep and we had to climb over a 4 foot rock on the uphill side and nothing but ocean and a 30 to 40 foot drop on the down hill side.

Any way my point is ,with out being locked front and back ,I never would have made it around that point. Whats the use in haveing four wheel drive if only two wheels have power to them ( open front and rear) or three wheel drive ( locked in the rear or front only)

H2 Hummers & Ford Bronco's on Mission Impossible! WTF??

Nice photos... the 5th photo is the grade past the mission that drops down to the arroyo (where the oasis is we camped at)... Photo is showing the return towards the mission. This grade is not rocky like the Widowmaker, but it is steeper with that final staircase ledge very challenging!

Here I am climbing it in 2003:



[Edited on 12-6-2009 by David K]