BajaNomad

Observatory San Pedro Martir

elfbrewery - 3-14-2010 at 07:28 PM

Someone told me the road to the observatory is paved. True? If so/not how long a drive is it? Any accomodations (not camping) enroute? Hoping it's a worthwhile sidetrip on the way north.
Thanks everyone.

David K - 3-15-2010 at 08:12 AM

It is finally all paved ... the Jan. 23-24 storm blocked/ washed out the road in places... but it was reopened in about a week...

It is about 65 miles, through beautiful high country... pine and aspen forests... The road goes from near sea level to 9,280' where you have a view down to the desert, Colorado Delta, Sonora and beyond!

Photo of the road just after pavement was layed in Sept., 2005... these about 25-28 miles from Hwy. 1:





Higher up, some photos from July, 2000:





David K - 3-15-2010 at 08:21 AM

Here's a photo of the elevation sign at the end of the road, from June, 1978:

Cyanide41 - 3-15-2010 at 09:08 AM

I think the closest non camping accommodations is Rancho Meling.

David K - 3-15-2010 at 10:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cyanide41
I think the closest non camping accommodations is Rancho Meling.


YES! It is half way up the mountain from Hwy. 1 in a big valley: http://ranchomeling.com/home.html

elfbrewery - 3-15-2010 at 11:11 AM

Thanks for the very useful info and all that good news and views!

David K - 3-16-2010 at 02:43 PM

Please give us a report when you return!

TMW - 3-16-2010 at 04:18 PM

Rancho Coyote is on the left before the Meling ranch and they do have rooms for rent. Not sure if you need reservation for Meling or not. Both ranches are same family, not sure of exact relationship. Rancho Coyote is a couple of miles in from the paved road on a well graded road.

When you get to the top you have to park and walk the last mile. They only let Observatory and Park workers drive up to telescopes.

David K - 3-16-2010 at 04:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
Rancho Coyote is on the left before the Meling ranch and they do have rooms for rent. Not sure if you need reservation for Meling or not. Both ranches are same family, not sure of exact relationship. Rancho Coyote is a couple of miles in from the paved road on a well graded road.

When you get to the top you have to park and walk the last mile. They only let Observatory and Park workers drive up to telescopes.


Great idea TW...!

Here is Rancho El Coyote's web page on the accomodations: http://www.ranchoelcoyote.com/english/acommodations/

As for the top of the mountain... the last time, the gate was open and the road paved... we drove up to the obsrvatories and the staff ignored us... we took photos, the drove down.

When it was dirt, the gate was often closed... this reduced dust clouds from cars near the telescopes... but their cars still drove it! I walked it in 1978 and 1984. We drove all the way up in 1972 and 2000.

If it is closed, be prepared for a STEEP 2 km. walk up... It is a fantastic view, however!

1972 Trip along the observatory road, with dad:



1978 Trip at the end of the road, Mt. Diablo in background:



In 1984, after the long walk... it was all clouded in, no view at all!

irenemm - 3-16-2010 at 05:26 PM

The observatory closes at 1 for any tours. We got there about 1:30 and was lucky enough for a tour. went inside and kids walked the cat walk all around the telescope on the outside. It was clear so you could see some what to the east and not bad to the west. The guide was great. Have lived here for almost 30 years never got to go. My kids school had trips up in the summer. Many people go up and camp in semana santa. which is easter week. Big camp ground. no running water take your's with you. Worth the trip. Lots of snow right now
Have fun. long drive go slow.

elfbrewery - 3-16-2010 at 07:15 PM

Super. Hope to be there in mid-April. We will probably stay in Vicente Guerrero the night before so that we can take the morning to drive up. Don't know what we'll do for accommodation, but thanks to all, we have options! Will give you an update when we finish our trip. Thanks again.

DianaT - 3-16-2010 at 07:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elfbrewery
Super. Hope to be there in mid-April. We will probably stay in Vicente Guerrero the night before so that we can take the morning to drive up. Don't know what we'll do for accommodation, but thanks to all, we have options! Will give you an update when we finish our trip. Thanks again.


Check out the website on Irene's post----that will tell you where to stay in Vicente Guerrero. :biggrin:

If my sister didn't live there, we would stay there. Easy drive from there.

[Edited on 3-17-2010 by DianaT]

David K - 3-17-2010 at 08:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by elfbrewery
Super. Hope to be there in mid-April. We will probably stay in Vicente Guerrero the night before so that we can take the morning to drive up. Don't know what we'll do for accommodation, but thanks to all, we have options! Will give you an update when we finish our trip. Thanks again.


Yes, it is an easy day trip up and back from Colonia Vicente Guerrero (Posada Don Diego)... I did that when it was all dirt in '84. Longer days now... There is also a campground/ RV park just outside the park entrance (or was): Los Manzanos (I believe)... It is the location of a big spring where the ranger staff gets their drinking water. We camped there in 2000.

astrobaja - 3-19-2010 at 12:25 PM

Elf,

Last week the road from the park entrance to the observatory was still closed to the public due to snow and slight road damage. With all the warm weather the snows been melting pretty fast but it may still be up to a month before it reopens. The tours of the 2.12 meter scope is just to see it and get an explanation of its use, you cannot actually look through it.
If you want to look through a scope come visit us at rancho La Concepcion, we are on Km 67 on the observatory road. We have a 27' travel trailer you can use....

astrobaja - 3-19-2010 at 12:27 PM

Oh yes a footnote about accomodations, in talking to Alfredo the ranger at the park gate, they do have 3 new nice big cabins to rent right at the park gate but it may be spring before they start. Not sure of the prices, Alfredo was not aware either.

mtgoat666 - 3-19-2010 at 01:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Oh yes a footnote about accomodations, in talking to Alfredo the ranger at the park gate, they do have 3 new nice big cabins to rent right at the park gate but it may be spring before they start. Not sure of the prices, Alfredo was not aware either.


oh, oh. rental cabins means development is coming and park will be overrun with yahoos!

there is a half-finished/now abandoned lodge on main road by vallecitos meadow, and also used to be cabins in lowlands just below telescopes,... i am anti-developmment of SPM, so hoping the new cabins return to dust like at other locations :lol:

unfortunately, pavement now means end of wilderness. how long until some politician sells the timber and they clear cut the forest? :(

David K - 3-19-2010 at 02:07 PM

You are full of positive thoughts here on Nomad, aren't you?

I can agree that pavement brings in all kinds of people, however... The road was built in the late 1960's to build and operate observatories up there. It was supposed to get paved in 1970! At least they took almost 40 years to do it!

astrobaja - 3-19-2010 at 02:26 PM

Even with the road being paved now for over 2 years the total amount of visitors to the parque national is around 600!

That big cabin further in the park is actually an unfinished nature interpertive centre..

The park has many many endemic species so it actually is quite protected by Semarnat and Conanp. The biggest threat to it is from unwanted cattle, which do a lot of damage. Cattle are now banned and can be legally shot by park officials lets hope they apply the law!

Some illegal logging was done some years ago (I won't go into who) but they were caught by the Federales and the Park chief.

elfbrewery - 3-19-2010 at 07:30 PM

This gets better all the time. We may be just in time for the snow to be almost gone and rustic accommodation available.
I think we'll guarantee our accommodation along Hwy 1 and we'll do the day trip to enjoy the drive. What can one see through a big telescope during the day?

mtgoat666 - 3-19-2010 at 07:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elfbrewery
What can one see through a big telescope during the day?


well, the telescopes are not used during the day, and when used at night you can't visit.

irenemm - 3-19-2010 at 07:38 PM

But the guide will tell you all about the telescope and where are the others just like them in the world.
it is really a great trip
enjoy

bryanmckenzie - 5-2-2010 at 11:52 AM

This is awesome information Nomads! Thank you. Because of this side trip to camp near the observatory, I'm turning my 3-week peninsula trip into 4-week peninsula trip and taking extra time there. Or should it turn into a simple day trip, I'll stay at Posada Don Diego in VG, since I have a delivery there anyway.

I really appreciate all the good stuff I've found on this website/forum. Because I thought to post here, I am now doing 3 USA pickups to Baja deliveries in this trip as a good Samaritan, including to various animal rescue organizations. Thanks David.

irenemm - 5-2-2010 at 01:43 PM

Bryan
See you Wednesday drive careful.
You will love the san pedro martin mountains it is nice.
be safe and drive careful
Irene