BajaNomad - observatory weather?

observatory weather?

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 09:15 AM

In the mountains East of San Telmo, is an Observatory.
20 kilometers South of the observatory is an old mission?
Anybody know how to get a weather report for up there, way up there.
Somewhere around there is the highest point in Baja.
Does a road or trail go from the observatory to the mission?

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
In the mountains East of San Telmo, is an Observatory.
20 kilometers South of the observatory is an old mission?
Anybody know how to get a weather report for up there, way up there.
Somewhere around there is the highest point in Baja.
Does a road or trail go from the observatory to the mission?

the observatory has a webcam, and online weather station readings. but you really don't need a weather report, just need to know the seasons.

spring thru early july is good time to visit. later in summer (e.g. hurricane season, and when the thermals heat up) you get daily t-storms, so peak bagging gets dicey. fall (late sept, oct and nov) is a another good time to visit.

get jerry schaad's map of the park, it is the best map of the old roads and trails. most of the old roads are prohibited from vehicle travel, but are passable for mt biking (some of the roads are used by ranchers, either on horse back or trucks). with a set of panniers on your mt bike, you can explore the plateau and probably get close to the old mission via bike.

most of the mapped trails are over grown due to low use, and the plateau is broad and flattish -- it is hard place to navigate, so make sure you got orienteering skills and are experienced at bush whacking.

i think "mission boy" (aka DK) has some tales about the SPM mission accessed via west route

[Edited on 4-8-2011 by mtgoat666]

fishabductor - 4-8-2011 at 09:41 AM

FYI it gets really cold up there, so make sure you go prepared...by cold I mean COLD!

BajaGringo - 4-8-2011 at 10:35 AM

AstroBaja, a member here has his own observatory / B&B camp up there. The big advantage is that although the park closes down at night, you can stay with Mike & Pamela and try some incredible star gazing from their telescope up there...

Baja Dark Skies Inn

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 12:03 PM

park closed at night?
looks like a big park on my map

tripledigitken - 4-8-2011 at 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
park closed at night?
looks like a big park on my map

When the care taker leaves at night (you'll recognize her, she's kinda big and in a red toyota corolla), just ask her for a weather report.

:lol:

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
park closed at night?

no. you can camp in the park. many do. however, there is an entrance gate/fee collector, and that gate is closed at night.

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 12:32 PM

Quote:

get jerry schaad's map of the park, it is the best map of the old roads and trails. most of the old roads are prohibited from vehicle travel, but are passable for mt biking (some of the roads are used by ranchers, either on horse back or trucks). with a set of panniers on your mt bike, you can explore the plateau and probably get close to the old mission via bike.

any idea where to get jerry Schaad's map?

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
any idea where to get jerry Schaad's map?

google. contact the publisher. how else would you buy a small run publication?
if it is out of print, you can always find it used on the interweb.

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
by cold I mean COLD!

Does cold mean a bottle of water gets ice in it, or does COLD mean a bottle of water freezes solid over night?

REALLY COLD means a gallon jug freezes solid over night

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 12:40 PM

I presume there is at least some water up there?? ?

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 12:48 PM

Perhaps of some import-ants: how hard is it to find the highest point in Baja?

Is it obvious which point is highest, or do I just make a guess?

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
by cold I mean COLD!

Does cold mean a bottle of water gets ice in it, or does COLD mean a bottle of water freezes solid over night?

REALLY COLD means a gallon jug freezes solid over night

freezing nights usually only in winter. not in summer.

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
I presume there is at least some water up there?? ?

not always. ground is very porous on plateau, so streams don't flow far. there are a few perm streams and ponds - ask about them when you get there. one good perm stream is on road, just below observatory. the canyons draining east off the plateau have streams.

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
Perhaps of some import-ants: how hard is it to find the highest point in Baja?

Is it obvious which point is highest, or do I just make a guess?

is obvious. is a kick-ass hike. read the online blogs about climbing picacho del diablo. many climbers have posted their stories and route map. and the jerry schad map has good guide to find the peak.

DENNIS - 4-8-2011 at 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
the jerry schad map has good guide to find the peak.

Which goes to prove some people will buy anything offered to them. You don't need a book to tell you the peak is at the top.

mcfez - 4-8-2011 at 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
park closed at night?
looks like a big park on my map

When the care taker leaves at night (you'll recognize her, she's kinda big and in a red toyota corolla), just ask her for a weather report.

:lol:

WHAM! Took the words out of my mouth.

Sorry I am late here...I was too drunk to get to the key board on time!

chrisx....why not just take a electric heater....there's an outlet on every tree.

[Edited on 4-8-2011 by mcfez]

BajaGringo - 4-8-2011 at 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
park closed at night?
looks like a big park on my map

Sorry, I meant the observatory...

fishabductor - 4-8-2011 at 01:31 PM

We were there in Sept and it did freeze, there was also streams. Look for the Aspens and you'll likely find water. We found water in many places.

Graham - 4-8-2011 at 02:10 PM

You might want to check out this thread about my latest visit last May, with photos of peak, road, snow, condors, etc.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=45482&pag...

Hate to plug my own book :saint:

but if you want to read 35 chapters about the San Pedro Martir and camping up there for four months check out:

Nearer My Dog to thee... A summer in Baja's Sky Island.

mtgoat666 - 4-8-2011 at 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graham
Hate to plug my own book

why?
it's a great read. plug on, dude

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
Perhaps of some import-ants: how hard is it to find the highest point in Baja?

Is it obvious which point is highest, or do I just make a guess?

I saw one journal, looked doable.

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx
I presume there is at least some water up there?? ?

I can carry 6 or 7 litters, without a lot of trouble. Doesn't have to water every where, just some water here and there.

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
We were there in Sept and it did freeze, there was also streams. Look for the Aspens and you'll likely find water. We found water in many places.

No one is saying their water bottle froze solid, so all is well?

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graham
You might want to check out this thread about my latest visit last May, with photos of peak, road, snow, condors, etc.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=45482&pag...

Hate to plug my own book :saint:

but if you want to read 35 chapters about the San Pedro Martir and camping up there for four months check out:

Nearer My Dog to thee... A summer in Baja's Sky Island.

I read, Into A Desert Place, a dozen times.

Oso - 4-8-2011 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

but if you want to read 35 chapters about the San Pedro Martir and camping up there for four months check out:

Nearer My Dog to thee... A summer in Baja's Sky Island.

What's your next adventure, Graham? Working on anything?

David K - 4-8-2011 at 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx

Quote:

any idea where to get jerry Schaad's map?

If you go to my website, VivaBaja.com, and click on the link to Climbing Diablo Mountain (Baja's highest at 10,154'), you will find Jerry's maps and other good stuff!

Here they are: http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/devil.htm

Mission Boy Here

David K - 4-8-2011 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

All Baja Missions and many visitas and other details on my web site, mission pages: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions

In 2004, a Baja Nomad team led by Jack Swords with Mexitron, Taco de Baja, Pappy and others hiked to Baja's most remote mission, San Pedro Martir: http://vivabaja.com/missions2/page9.html

[Edited on 4-9-2011 by David K]

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Here they are: http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/devil.htm

They set out from the tableland for what they thought would be a day hike along the ridge. Two days later they returned having reached the summit, but also having acquired a very healthy respect for the mountain. In the years that followed the mountain was climbed both from the east and from the west, but it was not until the fifties that Bud Bernhard discovered and described the one route up from Canyon del Diablo that requires no real technical climbing. This is known as Slot Wash and is the route that is described here.

chrisx - 4-8-2011 at 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
[If you go to my website, VivaBaja.com, and click on the link to Climbing Diablo Mountain (Baja's highest at 10,154'), you will find Jerry's maps and other good stuff!

excuse my blindness Sir; I was unable to locate the link
' Climbing Diablo Mountain '

David K - 4-8-2011 at 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Here they are: http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/devil.htm

You don't need to call me sir, as we are supposed to be amigos here. Go to my web site... go down the home page to the links to 'Specific Baja Locations'... Here is the list in my web page:

Specific Baja Locations

Welcome to Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs

Connie Ellig's Ensenada Happenings

Ensenada Information

Baja Dark Skies Inn, San Pedro Martir

The Official San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico

Nuevo Mazatlan, past and present

Baja's Observatory web page

Diablo Mountain Climb

Bob Jones 'Baja by Plane' (San Francisquito, Meling Ranch).

Rancho Cielito Lindo blog

Matomi mountain climb and canyon hike.

Las Pintas Fossil Grotto

Backpacking - Mission Santa Maria

La Turquesa Canyon

Coco's Corner

Bahia de los Angeles

Bahia Asuncion

Bahia Asuncion Community Page

La Bocana

San Ignacio

Scorpion Bay

Here is the Diablo Mtn. Climb link: http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/devil.htm it is what I already gave you earlier... I do try to make exploring Baja easy, and then just let Baja itself be hard to conquer!

[Edited on 4-9-2011 by David K]

wilderone - 4-9-2011 at 08:09 AM

This site has a lot of weather info:

http://cleardarksky.com/c/PdrMrtrObMBCkey.html

Note you are at 8000 feet. A storm could possibly come from the north and bring snow swirls or a couple inches. Just be prepared for freezing temps.

Ken Cooke - 4-9-2011 at 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666most of the mapped trails are over grown due to low use, and the plateau is broad and flattish -- it is hard place to navigate, so make sure you got orienteering skills and are experienced at bush whacking.

If you get permission from the staff, you can drive some of these routes that are not in frequent use. Just be sure to get permission and that the Park staff carry their keys.

Mexitron - 4-9-2011 at 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisx

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
by cold I mean COLD!

Does cold mean a bottle of water gets ice in it, or does COLD mean a bottle of water freezes solid over night?

REALLY COLD means a gallon jug freezes solid over night

freezing nights usually only in winter. not in summer.

It can be below freezing ANY night of the year up there...beginning of June my GALLON jug froze that I had by my sleeping bag (it was 18 degrees with snow flurries) and I'll tell you I was pretty hungover and could have used it! 25 degrees in August isn't uncommon.

chrisx - 4-10-2011 at 10:12 AM

Thanks for the info.
Just a little more warm stuff and all will be well.

mcfez - 4-10-2011 at 02:02 PM

And dont forget the electric heater.........

chrisx - 4-10-2011 at 02:08 PM

http://solarelectricinc.com/

wilderone - 4-11-2011 at 09:35 AM

Give us a trip report some time Chris.

bacquito - 4-11-2011 at 05:00 PM

Quote:

but if you want to read 35 chapters about the San Pedro Martir and camping up there for four months check out:

Nearer My Dog to thee... A summer in Baja's Sky Island.

I enjoyed reading the book!