BajaNomad

peninsula at bahia conception

saritayjoaquin - 2-16-2011 at 12:24 PM

Here's another road condition question. About 6 years ago, we took the dirt road which follows the west side of the peninsula at Conception Bay. We're hoping to go back there again and camp in the arroyos. Can anyone give us a report? Muchos gracias

castaway$ - 2-16-2011 at 01:50 PM

We did a stupid thing a few years back and went down to the end of the bay to dig clams and when we left our pickup we didn't lock the doors, the SOB was laying in the cactus apparently and needless to say we were robbed.
I bring up the story because later I heard that is typical for that area and I was told that there was/is a Bandito camp somewhere across the bay where it is remote.
I don't know the validity of the "story" however in these turbulent times I would opt to be safer and camp where others are around, safety in numbers.
To put it a little more in context when we were at Naranja in January we saw a lone truck camped on the beach just north of Playa Frambes so we went over and introduced ourselves to the people ( they were from Oregon also) and they told us the night before they heard noises and got out of thier camper to investigate and found 3 people trying to steal the motor off of their boat plus they had already taken other stuff, they were lucky the theives took off when they were threatened with a bat but it could have turned out very differently.
We have been camping in Baja for ten yearsand I still feel safe however I am VERY careful where I camp.

micah202 - 2-16-2011 at 02:09 PM

...I've been a number of times over the years,,no problemo,,,though if you leave it unlocked!..........

....it DOES feel silly t'lock-up sometimes!


.........last week,,I passed by there,,wanting to go out the peninsula,,,,
missed the turnoff!!!!........is it around where they're doing some construction on the road??
....does anyone have details of km'age,,,road marks,,etc??

.



[Edited on 2-16-2011 by micah202]

Bob and Susan - 2-16-2011 at 03:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by castaway$
To put it a little more in context when we were at Naranja in January we saw a lone truck camped on the beach just north of Playa Frambes so we went over and introduced ourselves to the people (they were from Oregon also) and they told us the night before they heard noises and got out of thier camper to investigate and found 3 people trying to steal the motor off of their boat plus they had already taken other stuff, they were lucky the theives took off when they were threatened with a bat but it could have turned out very differently.


i hear that story...everytime it gets bigger...

there are nighttime fisherman that use the beach over there
they work in the day and fish at night

its the same guys all the time...just fishermen...they live in town...i know some of them

they were probably just admiring the boat...it was pertty nice

when you camp in a place with 6 pangas in the water and on the beach expect fishermen to service them:light:

Bob and Susan - 2-16-2011 at 03:43 PM

some neighbors just made that ride

they left the trucks atthe end of the bay

they paid a guy 200 pesos to sit with the trucks

they rode to the mine and back easily in one afternoon

Pescador - 2-16-2011 at 05:57 PM

Actually, the military has been very active in the area as of late. So take the usual precautions and you should be fine. There was some damage to the road following Hurricane Jimena but it is passable all the way to the lighthouse. There is a group from the University of Mexico who are studying the Catarina Scallops about across from Naranjos which is very interesting. So, avoid the area where the old campground is on the south end of the bay, but the rest of the area does not get much traffic. There are also cave paintings and rock art just off of the main trail.

Pompano - 2-16-2011 at 07:01 PM

The peninsula roads are fine..never had to use 4WD at all on a trip 2 weeks ago. Just watch for soft sand in the arroyos/vados. Saw no military activityat all on this last trip. The last time we encounted a patrol, all they wanted to do was tell me not to gather live cacti (or any plants) for mi casa landscaping???? I told them I was no fan of thorns in my yard. We shared some cold ones..sodas, of course.

Painted Canyon is a delicate area, please treat with respect and care. Preserve the works for future generations to enjoy...please do not paint your own fish, animals, etc.

Baja Patty's Rancho Margarita is unique.

Playa Domingo and adjoining fish camp are today deserted...who knows about manan..they come, they go. Also a favorite anchorage for sailors and gunkholers.

The old mine is accesible by road/trail, but not advised for inexperienced off-roaders or non 4X4's. Much better to visit that area by boat...See a thread I will soon write about a boat trip there a few days ago. A trip of memories.

Thieves exist as much in Baja as they do in LA..or San Diego..or Mexico City. And they haved been here since the earth cooled...not just the last few years.

Do not leave your common sense at the border. Lock it, hire a gaurd, take all goodies with you, do not leave unattended...simple.

Here's some recent pics from the end of the trail on the peninsula:








[Edited on 2-17-2011 by Pompano]

castaway$ - 2-17-2011 at 10:03 AM

Bob- The guy that I met who claimed the attempted robbery on the property adjacent to yours said the incident happened by 3 guys in a black pickup, they had gotten there just before dark and parked to the north a little way from where they were camped, eventually the truck left.
The attemted theft occured at 3am and it was the same truck, probably not fisherman admiring the boat but hopefully an isolated incident.
As far as our story that was 4-5 years ago and we reported the incident to the Policia in Mulege and they were the ones that told us that there was a camp of theives that lived on the east side of the bay.
My point in posting these incidents was the same as the posts that followed mine- BE SMART AND DON'T ISOLATE YOURSELF WHEN CAMPING.
I have been to many places in the world and some I have been very uncomfortable, I have never felt that way in Baja but I keep my guard up anyway.

mulegemichael - 2-17-2011 at 11:54 AM

that camp of banditos at the end of the bay is common knowledge here locally...lots and lots of car clouts down there...if you go down to dig clams or beachwalk always park your car where you can see it constantly...and even then there have been breakins...ballsy banditos.

saritayjoaquin - 2-17-2011 at 12:23 PM

Thanks once again all you out there on Baja Nomad. For micah202, we had made notes the last time we were there (six years past) that the turn-off is at km78. Thanks for the tips on the banditos. We will be extra vigilant.