BajaNomad - Mike's Sky Ranch

Mike's Sky Ranch

rocmoc - 12-26-2010 at 03:46 PM

Going to Mike's Sky Ranch with my single track is one of the items on my bucket list. When is peak season / best time to go to Mike's? Time isn't on my side so if I am going to do this I have to start making it a priority.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ

TMW - 12-26-2010 at 03:57 PM

Anytime is a good time to go to Mike's Sky Rancho. When there is a SCORE race it gets pretty busy. Not much going on in the winter, besides it's cold. Spring, summer and fall are the best times.

rocmoc - 12-26-2010 at 04:43 PM

What is the weather like in early June? How hot? That is a good time to be out of AZ as it is HOT!

rocmoc n AZ

Bajahowodd - 12-26-2010 at 04:50 PM

Unequivocably! :biggrin:

David K - 12-26-2010 at 06:11 PM

Hi Roc,

We drove across Baja through Mike's in the summer (Labor Day) 2005... from San Quintin to San Felipe... photos and road log here: http://vivabaja.com/905/

The rains may have done a number on the road dropping into Mike's from the south:

[Edited on 12-27-2010 by David K]

TMW - 12-27-2010 at 09:24 AM

I've stayed there on a July 4th weekend a couple of times and the weather was good. You're up about 3500-4000 ft. Great camping. If you stay in the hotel make sure you open the windows ASAP in the summer to cool the room down. 1st weekend in June is the Baja 500 race so leading up to and during the race rooms may be full.

mcfez - 12-27-2010 at 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocmoc
Going to Mike's Sky Ranch with my single track is one of the items on my bucket list. When is peak season / best time to go to Mike's? Time isn't on my side so if I am going to do this I have to start making it a priority.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ

http://www.totalescape.com/lodge/ADS/mikes.html

There's a phone number mid way down the page.

TMW - 12-27-2010 at 09:59 AM

There are several off-road motorcycle tours as well as Wide Open Baja buggy tours that stay there so it might be a good ideal to get a reservation if you plan to get a room. Also be careful and watch for other traffic, there are some blind curves and hills going in and coming out. If your bike is a dirt bike you'll have a lot of fun in and around Mike's. You might also like to drop in on another Mike at Rancho La Concepcion about 10 miles from mike's to the south off the Observatory road about 2 miles in.

David K - 12-27-2010 at 10:05 AM

If Mike's is full... try Rancho El Coyote... they cater to the off road motorcycles, as well.

rocmoc - 12-27-2010 at 11:57 AM

Yup, dirtbike. CRF450R setup as street legal in AZ, barely.

Thanks everyone, these sites are great for first hand info.

rocmoc n AZ

RufusTheDoofus - 9-13-2011 at 09:41 PM

Are the roads from Mike's to Rancho Melling still only passable by dirtbike?

TMW - 9-14-2011 at 09:12 AM

The last I heard bikes and buggies have gone thru. The problem area appears to be close to Rancho Coyote.

David K - 9-14-2011 at 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
Are the roads from Mike's to Rancho Melling still only passable by dirtbike?

Never heard they were impassable to 4WDs... and I think word would get out to here.

We were there 6 years ago, and it was deeply eroded but no problem in a Tacoma... used low range once right near Mikes.

805gregg - 9-15-2011 at 05:38 PM

Way over hyped, not much there.

CortezBlue - 9-15-2011 at 06:50 PM

Quote:

I need to hook you up with my two neighbors who want to do mike's sky ranch

I live between Phx and san felipe and they are much younger than I and have the equipment

U2u me if you want to discuss further

RufusTheDoofus - 9-15-2011 at 08:02 PM

I have read a number of trip reports online that stated the winter rains in the 2009-10 made the roads between Mike's and Rancho Coyote impassable to anything but dirt bikes. (One of these reports is at Expedition Portal: http://www.expeditionportal.com/overlandroutes/index.php?title=Mike's_Sky_Ranch )

I have a very capable old diesel Land Cruiser with lockers front and rear and dual transfer cases riding on 33" tires. But those things don't help when there's a 3+ meter drop in the middle of what once was a difficult dirt road. I'm kinda interested in Mike's but only as a place to stay after doing the canyon roads from the hot springs at Guadalupe Canyon.

We did San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay last year and are trying to plan a different route this year. The observatory area looks interesting so I'm researching ways to get there. We'll be in Baja for 4 to 8 weeks with a very general itinerary of places we missed last time and those we want to revisit this time. (Driving from the mountains of Maine to Baja is a great way to break up the winter.

David K - 9-15-2011 at 09:17 PM

If you read more of Nomad's Trip Reports forum or the Off Roading forum here you will see Nomads have driven through Mikes... recently. A Toyota with front and rear lockers (or A-TRAC) cannot be stopped!

You are also aware that Guadalupe Canyon's nice private camping sites (Arturo's Campo #1) are no more? The other, not nearly as nice or private sites, are all that are open now. The hot spring that once supplied all of the camp sites is located on the other brother's property... and being jealous that brother Arturo got most of the business.. he cut off Arturo's share of the water. Nice, huh?

David K - 9-16-2011 at 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
I have read a number of trip reports online that stated the winter rains in the 2009-10 made the roads between Mike's and Rancho Coyote impassable to anything but dirt bikes. (One of these reports is at Expedition Portal: http://www.expeditionportal.com/overlandroutes/index.php?title=Mike's_Sky_Ranch )

I have a very capable old diesel Land Cruiser with lockers front and rear and dual transfer cases riding on 33" tires. But those things don't help when there's a 3+ meter drop in the middle of what once was a difficult dirt road. I'm kinda interested in Mike's but only as a place to stay after doing the canyon roads from the hot springs at Guadalupe Canyon.

We did San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay last year and are trying to plan a different route this year. The observatory area looks interesting so I'm researching ways to get there. We'll be in Baja for 4 to 8 weeks with a very general itinerary of places we missed last time and those we want to revisit this time. (Driving from the mountains of Maine to Baja is a great way to break up the winter.

Hi Rufus, I wasn't able to find any trip reports in the past 12 months here on Nomad of a drive through Mike's... It would surprise me if you couldn't get a Land Cruiser through. However, it it was impassable, and you wanted to continue on south you could just return north towards Valle de Trinidad and take the graded road west to Hwy. 1 (just south of San Vicente)... then go south. The observatory road is paved all 62 miles from Hwy. 1 (south of Colonet) to the top at 9,280'... Meling Ranch is half way there.

RufusTheDoofus - 9-16-2011 at 02:57 PM

Does Mike's Sky Ranch have a website or contact info? I'd contact them directly if I could find them on the web. Mike's isn't necessarily a must-see destination for me. My days on dirt bikes and buggies have been over since moving from CA to ME. I'm primarily interested in charting a path through the mountains and Mike's is convenient. I'm trying to stay off of the highways as much as possible this trip just for the experience and enjoyment. So if the road is impassible I'd plan a completely different route.

When we went to Guadalupe in Feb of 2011 we took the dirt roads and the playa across to San Felipe. As little pavement as possible, within reason.

BTW, I thought Guadalupe Canyon was a nice even though the private pools on the north side of the canyon are closed. We stayed on the north side back in the late 90s and it was nice but not that much nicer than what's available now. We arrrived on a Sunday afternoon in late February and had the place to ourselves for 3 days.

David K - 9-16-2011 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
Does Mike's Sky Ranch have a website or contact info? I'd contact them directly if I could find them on the web. Mike's isn't necessarily a must-see destination for me. My days on dirt bikes and buggies have been over since moving from CA to ME. I'm primarily interested in charting a path through the mountains and Mike's is convenient. I'm trying to stay off of the highways as much as possible this trip just for the experience and enjoyment. So if the road is impassible I'd plan a completely different route.

When we went to Guadalupe in Feb of 2011 we took the dirt roads and the playa across to San Felipe. As little pavement as possible, within reason.

BTW, I thought Guadalupe Canyon was a nice even though the private pools on the north side of the canyon are closed. We stayed on the north side back in the late 90s and it was nice but not that much nicer than what's available now. We arrrived on a Sunday afternoon in late February and had the place to ourselves for 3 days.

That's great (about Guadalupe Canyon).

If you go to the off road racing forums you will no doubt find newer road info. on Mike's to El Coyote. In fact, El Coyote has a web site so ask them if your Toyota can get between the two guest ranches.

RaceDezert.com, Score-International, Baja.net all have forums used by off road enthusiasts who may know.

As for El Coyote Guest Ranch (on the road between Mike's and Meling),... http://ranchoelcoyote.com/english/contact-us/

On this close up map:
Mike's is in the top/ right quarter...
El Coyote is on the left edge of the map...
Meling Ranch is on the bottom edge...

There are two roads to El Coyote from Mike's, once past the Simpson Ranch road jcn.

AstroBaja's Baja Dark Skys Inn is on the road east from Los Encinos, and then the right fork... where that road crosses the arroyo.

[Edited on 9-17-2011 by David K]

astrobaja - 9-17-2011 at 09:47 AM

Rocmoc: if you would like to visit us let us know via e-mail 1st since I have to go unlock the gate towards Mikes

TW supplied me with a map of the areas roads the southern route towards Coyote according to some Mexican off road groups is impassable with 4X4's. The northern loop that goes thru coral falso could be passable.
I have not traveled either route as I have no interest in visiting the Coyote Melings in general I try to aviod them!
The Mexican military told me they got through with their hummer to Coyote so presumably they took the northern loop.

[Edited on 9-17-2011 by astrobaja]

David K - 9-17-2011 at 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobaja
Rocmoc: if you would like to visit us let us know via e-mail 1st since I have to go unlock the gate towards Mikes

TW supplied me with a map of the areas roads the southern route towards Coyote according to some Mexican off road groups is impassable with 4X4's. The northern loop that goes thru coral falso could be passable.
I have not traveled either route as I have no interest in visiting the Coyote Melings in general I try to aviod them!
The Mexican military told me they got through with their hummer to Coyote so presumably they took the northern loop.

[Edited on 9-17-2011 by astrobaja]

Just fyi, the road between Meling and Mike's doesn't pass in front of Coyote Ranch... it is a bit east of it, so nobody at El Coyote will see you if you do drive the roads on the map, other than the one west to El Coyote.

astrobaja - 9-17-2011 at 09:56 AM

Thanks David I know. I checked it out once via google earth. Lets just say I get enough of off-roading on a daily basis :lol:

David K - 9-17-2011 at 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobaja
Thanks David I know. I checked it out once via google earth. Lets just say I get enough of off-roading on a daily basis :lol:

10-4! Are there any ranches between you and them... like at Los Encinos (Mike's original airport location)?

skippermike - 9-17-2011 at 04:40 PM

The last time we were up there course marking for SCORE the road to Mike's from Rte 3 was not bad, and then West past a couple small villages.
Then, going West further towards "The Top of the World" by the powerline was pretty tough. David's ATRAC probably would have made it.
Taking the left, along the stream, below Mike's and up over the hill behind Mike's towards the ranches was really tough. After the latest rains, it became impassable except for bikes, goats and rabbits - not even David's ATRAC!
We stayed at El Coyote, after driving in from the back side, and thought it was just fine - especially after a long day course marking, with a couple 6-packs and our feet in the pool waiting dinner.
My family and I stayed at Meling a couple years ago, and thought it was just fine also.
I guess my rating of "just fine" is tempered by my expectations - after a long day on the trail - tired, dusty and beat up - a friendly hello, on-the-spot made good food, a clean bed and hot water for a shower before bed seems just what you could ask!

David K - 9-18-2011 at 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by skippermike
The last time we were up there course marking for SCORE the road to Mike's from Rte 3 was not bad, and then West past a couple small villages.
Then, going West further towards "The Top of the World" by the powerline was pretty tough. David's ATRAC probably would have made it.
Taking the left, along the stream, below Mike's and up over the hill behind Mike's towards the ranches was really tough. After the latest rains, it became impassable except for bikes, goats and rabbits - not even David's ATRAC!
We stayed at El Coyote, after driving in from the back side, and thought it was just fine - especially after a long day course marking, with a couple 6-packs and our feet in the pool waiting dinner.
My family and I stayed at Meling a couple years ago, and thought it was just fine also.
I guess my rating of "just fine" is tempered by my expectations - after a long day on the trail - tired, dusty and beat up - a friendly hello, on-the-spot made good food, a clean bed and hot water for a shower before bed seems just what you could ask!

'Top of the world' by power lines, sounds like the road from Trinidad to San Vicente?

So, to help Rufus... the roads between Mike's and El Coyote/ Meling's... passable in his Land Cruiser? Or, did you only go the 'back way out', up the river from Mike's and towards Concepcion (Baja Dark Skys Inn)?

Roads past Mike's

skippermike - 9-18-2011 at 11:37 AM

You are correct on powerline "Top of the World" - we come up to powerline ridge by taking a right 5+miles after Mike's turnoff to the left. One could also come up from Valle de Trinidad.
I haven't been on the road that heads West, to the right past Mike's after going over creek just below Mike's, for a while - haven't heard it's condition. This is the road that goes up to Meling.
Most recently we went left, or South, after going over creek, and went along the small river below Mike's, and turned SW and up hill - this was pretty tough. We heard that after last winter's rain, it was badly washed out. This is the trail that ends up in El Coyote's front yard.

steve5555 - 10-11-2011 at 09:09 PM

Perhaps no one cares about this anymore. But I am just getting around to reading it. :-)

In June 2011 came in to Mike's from the North and left out the south. I go by dirtdiver over on this motorcycle offroad forum. The rider report follows.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=705021

It seems that going from Mike's towards El Coyote or Meling was tough the way we went. Too tough for a 4 wheeled vehicle in my opinion.

However, I think there is more than one way to go when going out the south direction. We only tried one route and it was pretty sketchy even on a bike.

So you may make it if you go another route!

I am going back down there in 2 weeks. If anyone is still interested for an update you can PM me.

steve

David K - 10-12-2011 at 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by steve5555
Perhaps no one cares about this anymore. But I am just getting around to reading it. :-)

In June 2011 came in to Mike's from the North and left out the south. I go by dirtdiver over on this motorcycle offroad forum. The rider report follows.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=705021

It seems that going from Mike's towards El Coyote or Meling was tough the way we went. Too tough for a 4 wheeled vehicle in my opinion.

However, I think there is more than one way to go when going out the south direction. We only tried one route and it was pretty sketchy even on a bike.

So you may make it if you go another route!

I am going back down there in 2 weeks. If anyone is still interested for an update you can PM me.

steve

Yes Steve, we always love updates on Baja backroads!

wilderone - 11-16-2011 at 07:51 PM

steve 555555555 - ! Can you give me an update on the roads into Mike's, and points south? Any road work happening? How about the road in from San Matias?
Astrobaja - what are your accommodations? How does one get to your place?