Just thought someone ought there might be interested...
Journey to Las Higueras
This was just a day trip to exercise the jeeps. Three Wranglers departed Posada Concepción at 08:30, January 18, 2011, gassed up at the PEMEX south of
Mulegé and proceeded to the turnoff for Santa Agueda (past Km. 187, signed left turn before the prison, CERESO). We soon decided to air down as the
road was graded, but hard with small rocks, both embedded and loose. No problem driving this road and soon we were seeing the dry river bed that flows
out to the Sea of Cortez, just south of Santa Rosalía. A small climb and then we saw the water that pools near Santa Agueda. We forded the 6 inch deep
stream twice and carried on. Then we drove down through the passage in the rock wall and back up in elevation on the other side. We never got far from
the river bed, but driving wasn’t difficult and the elevation gain was gentle. The clean air sure made the mountains look close enough to touch,
whether pointed or flat. Signs for ranchos sprung up, but signs of life were normally young goats and an occasional cow or bull (windmills, too). Only
when we saw some green vegetation did we know there was enough water for a rancho to survive. Just before we drove past the sign at Santa Rosa, the
last jeep driver spied the road for Las Higueras. The first jeep was following the good road straight ahead, so the other two jeeps decided to carry
on to Rancho El Rincon.
Here we were greeted by the owner and his wife and their little son, to whom our lead driver gave a soccer ball. He was shy, but didn’t let go of it
once he clutched it. Candy didn’t even distract him. Three young men from a building nearby came to greet us also. We chatted as best we could and
bade them and their numerous young goats “adios.” The trailing driver then guided us to Las Higueras, another dead end in the road beneath the
mountains. However, the views from this place were magnificent. Here the ranchers had enough goats for cheese, so we bought some (45 pesos per kilo).
While we visited, we were invited to share some coffee and tortillas with fresh cheese. Mmmmmm, gracious hospitality to say the least. We learned a
little more about the area. Many ranchos belong to the same family (Patron Villavicencio). Manuel and Emilia have been here for 47 years and have 18
grandchildren scattered around Baja. Some of their sons work the other ranchos in this valley and some of the daughters are at university. One of
their granddaughters brought out coffee mugs with a picture of Manuel and Emilia on them. That was nice to see. The youngsters attend the internado
school in Santa Agueda, coming home Friday thru Sunday. Raising goats up here has its problems. Horses don’t do well in the rocky terrain, so keeping
lookout for the goats is tough. Coyotes and mountain lions get a few goats now and then, but sometimes Manuel gets them back with his rifle.
With miles to go (about 27 miles back to Highway 1) and promises to keep, we said thank you and goodbye. What a great experience in a beautiful
setting. We were glad we were just six people and not a sizeable group.
About an hour later we were back at the stream. The weather was hot, the air dry and we still had prepared lunches calling out to be eaten. The stream
and shade nearby was too tempting. We watched birds hunt in the water, there are obviously enough fish to feed cormorants and egrets, oh, and an
osprey, too.
Back through Santa Agueda with lots of small gardens growing luscious vegetables. It was siesta and no one was about... *SIGH! So onward to the
highway and home to Posada Concepcion, arriving before 5pm.
The trip from Highway 1 to El Rincon (about 26 miles) took 1 hour 45 minutes. From there it was 10 minutes (nearly 2 miles) back to Santa Rosa and
then 20 minutes (2.8 miles) into Las Higueras. The section up and over to Las Higueras was helped with a little 4wd. It never hurts to have it whether
steep rocky terrain (17%) or deep soft dirt. Make sure to take some gifts when visiting and have a good chat. Enjoy.shari - 1-20-2011 at 12:17 PM
thanks for the excellent report...great information and suggestions too. Take any photos? these types of little side trips are what really make Baja
special.David K - 1-20-2011 at 01:25 PM
Great Reports... Wow, it is so good to see trip reports from so many more Nomads!
Here is a map of the area (El Rincon is on the Camino Real, too)...
zoom in:
El Camino Real Routes:
Close up of El Rincon area. Arrows point to where the Camino Real can be seen on satellite images:
Neal Johns - 1-20-2011 at 02:28 PM
Thanks, DK, you are not all bad.
elfbrewery, good report - I agree with Shari, lots of great sidetrips in Baja.elfbrewery - 1-20-2011 at 05:53 PM
David K -- Super details by AAA map and "Almanac." Any idea as to the proposed route for the highway from Insurgentes to San Ignacio? How close does
this come to the Camino Real?David K - 1-20-2011 at 05:59 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by elfbrewery
David K -- Super details by AAA map and "Almanac." Any idea as to the proposed route for the highway from Insurgentes to San Ignacio? How close does
this come to the Camino Real?
The Camino Real leaves San Ignacio (southbound) just to the left of where the paved Laguna San Ignacio road climbs up from town... Nowhere from there
to Insurgentes (or San Juanico/ Las Barrancas/ La Purisima highway) is the road south near the Camino Real.David K - 1-20-2011 at 06:01 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Neal Johns
Thanks, DK, you are not all bad.
elfbrewery, good report - I agree with Shari, lots of great sidetrips in Baja.
Thanks Neal... neither are you...
Now, your differential... well that's another matter!
Neal Johns - 1-20-2011 at 08:22 PM
Low blow! Low blow!, DK.BAJACAT - 1-20-2011 at 10:33 PM
Very low blow, comming from a fellow TOYO owner, thats why I drive A DODGE RAM, grab BAJA by the HORNS...
PS. sorry for hijacking the thread...
Nice trip report, the Mulege area has so many places to explore, Has anybody gone to Piedras Pintas, near La Trinidad.. and have pictures of the rock
paintings to share...David K - 1-20-2011 at 11:31 PM
Did you see what Neal was trying to carry on the Taco... It was trying to do what a Tundra or your Dodge should only try?BAJACAT - 1-24-2011 at 10:27 PM
dont recall what it was DK..it just fun, my previous vehicles where 03 TACOMA 4X4,96 FORUNNER 2WD DRIVE.David K - 1-24-2011 at 11:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
dont recall what it was DK..it just fun, my previous vehicles where 03 TACOMA 4X4,96 FORUNNER 2WD DRIVE.
