BajaNomad

2010 Mision Santa Maria Nomad Trip

David K - 5-16-2011 at 09:00 AM

Nearly a year after that epic run with Nomads to Mision Santa Maria with the 3 foot deep water bog and the destruction of Neal Johns' differential, the web page has been finalized and converted to my home page (VivaBaja.com).... have a fresh look at the adventure with the gang at its new home: http://vivabaja.com/msm2010/

This is a 4WD Only Road! (plus traction control)

David K - 5-17-2011 at 07:07 PM

The brave Nomads:














































Yup, 4WD with lockers or A-TRAC was required equipment to get there and back without assistance! See the rest of the photos to see who's rig didn't get out under its own power!

http://vivabaja.com/msm2010/ :cool:

Ken Cooke - 5-17-2011 at 08:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Yup, 4WD with lockers or A-TRAC was required equipment to get there and back without assistance! See the rest of the photos to see who's rig didn't get out under its own power!


Good driving and a limited slip differential got this Jeep XJ through to the Mission and back.
http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/d/6079-2/013+Baja.JPG


In fact, not all of these Jeeps had locking differentials, and they completed the trail and had little wheel slippage.
http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/d/6111-2/029+Baja.JPG

[Edited on 5-18-2011 by Ken Cooke]

gallesram - 8-3-2011 at 12:13 PM

I have been wanting to make this trip but I don't have a 4WD truck; would it be possible to make part of the trip in the Explorer and then hike in the rest of the way? How far do you think I could make it in the truck? The pools by the mssion look amazing and I would really like to check them out. I have read that it's about 15-mile trip from Catavina to the mission, so hopefully I could make the first 10 miles in the truck and the last 5 miles on foot (at least that's the hope). Those pictures certainly confirm the need for a very sturdy vehicle; it looks like an adventure ride at an amusement park!

bacquito - 8-3-2011 at 12:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gallesram
I have been wanting to make this trip but I don't have a 4WD truck; would it be possible to make part of the trip in the Explorer and then hike in the rest of the way? How far do you think I could make it in the truck? The pools by the mssion look amazing and I would really like to check them out. I have read that it's about 15-mile trip from Catavina to the mission, so hopefully I could make the first 10 miles in the truck and the last 5 miles on foot (at least that's the hope). Those pictures certainly confirm the need for a very sturdy vehicle; it looks like an adventure ride at an amusement park!


We,my stepson and I, plan on a trip soon. We probably will stay at Santa Inez-about 1 mile south of Catavina- and pay Oscar to drive us to La Umbra and hike to the Mission. Santa Inez to la Umbra is about 11 miles. Even before one gets to the Mission one will ecounter many "Charcos"-water holes. A delightful place to visit.
I have a Tundra 4wd, no locked differential, but am hesitant to attempt the trip. Better to stay at Santa Inez

David K - 8-3-2011 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gallesram
I have been wanting to make this trip but I don't have a 4WD truck; would it be possible to make part of the trip in the Explorer and then hike in the rest of the way? How far do you think I could make it in the truck? The pools by the mssion look amazing and I would really like to check them out. I have read that it's about 15-mile trip from Catavina to the mission, so hopefully I could make the first 10 miles in the truck and the last 5 miles on foot (at least that's the hope). Those pictures certainly confirm the need for a very sturdy vehicle; it looks like an adventure ride at an amusement park!


Sorry, but no... honestly it is less than 2 miles to the first 4WD challange if you even get across the wide sandy arroyo past the ranch.



Big gully crossing 1.8 miles from Santa Ynez

Even 'regular' 4WD owners park at the top of the Widowmaker and walk the last 1.1 miles to the mission.

The Peninsular Divide (where you can see Punta Final and the Sea of Cortez) is 9.9 miles from Santa Ynez and the road gets pretty nasty soon after dropping down from that ridge.

The Widowmaker

David K - 8-3-2011 at 01:09 PM

So named after BajaMur and I were both tossed of our motorbikes trying to climb up it, and left blood on the rocks!

In 2007, The squarecirle (Land Rover) and I (Toyota Tacoma) returned to the mission, taking our ladies there for their first time...












Roads like this are better suited to BIGHORN sheep!



These guys visited us the next morning!

2007 Roadlog

David K - 8-3-2011 at 01:13 PM

ROAD LOG

0.0 Rancho Santa Ynez, take road through left gate, north of ranch.

0.9 FORK, go left/ uphill.

1.8 Deep Gully, 4WD climb out (if this scares you, go back!).

2.4 Rock pile, a road to left, go straight/ right fork.

4.7 Cement monument off to left (tracks continue past monument).

5.6 Arroyo crossing with palms.

9.9 Peninsular Divide, view of Punta Final on the gulf.

13.3 Top of the 'Widowmaker' grade.

14.4 MISION SANTA MARIA

15.4 Road enters sandy Arroyo Santa Maria, after very steep downgrade.

15.7 Turn left, out of arroyo (may be hidden by plants). Tracks ahead in arroyo end in 1/4 mile.

15.9 El Camino Real climbs to the left, up hillside. The mission trail stays out of the canyon, along the north ridge and returns to the arroyo at the east end of the canyon.

16.0 Roadbed washed out. Park and hike on to end of bulldozed grade to see petroglyphs, canyon view, Indian trail to canyon bottom.


=======================================

In 2010, the (once all sand) arroyo past the mission was changed and many large rocks prevented my driving past Mile 15.5.

See the trip of 2007: http://vivabaja.com/msm/


BAJACAT - 8-4-2011 at 07:45 PM

so when is the next trip to the mission...?

David K - 8-4-2011 at 07:51 PM

I have been to the mission in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2010... so at the frequency it will be 2013 or 2014... But, that isn't carved in stone!:yes:

Ken Cooke - 8-5-2011 at 03:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
so when is the next trip to the mission...?


After the last mis-adventure - 13 hrs from BOLA to El Rosario (including the Mission Sta. Maria 4WD route) my Wife told me, "This road is too dangerous for you to safely travel."

But, since returning from Baja, Leidys is looking forward to another attempt. My last trip with Aaron and Jerry took us up to the swamp only to abort the trip due to fuel delivery issues. Two of my Interco TrXus MT tires were scalloped by the rocks while dragging Jerry's Jeep TJ up waterfalls on 3 wheels. Foot off of the brakes, Jerry?:rolleyes: Complete and total insanity. But, we plan to return after the weather cools down and I get a new set of off-road tires.:light: Because, I don't know whose 4WD vehicle will be at the other end of my Rubicon's tow strap!:!:

93 Deg. F - Direct sunlight - Fuel Pump with Montezuma's Revenge!


Guess who sat in air-conditioned comfort all day?


April 2011 - The closest we got to Mission Santa Maria

David K - 8-5-2011 at 03:47 PM

Great photo of you two at the top of the Widowmaker, just 1.1 miles from the mission!

[Edited on 8-5-2011 by David K]

BAJACAT - 8-5-2011 at 04:11 PM

let me know ken, Im in. This is one of the trips that I can shake out my to do Baja list... I have a set of Generals Grabber competion tires to test in the widow maker..

David K - 8-5-2011 at 04:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
let me know ken, Im in. This is one of the trips that I can shake out my to do Baja list... I have a set of Generals Grabber competion tires to test in the widow maker..


Seriously you got the Grabbers??!!??:bounce::cool:

BAJACAT - 8-5-2011 at 04:20 PM

Yes David. I got a set on Craigs list for $300,with 80% of thread life..they are $310 a piece..(35x17.. )so I think it was a good deal..this are the ones with the red letters..

David K - 8-5-2011 at 04:33 PM

Love to see them! They were my original desire for my Tacoma.. but they never produced the promissed size 265/75-16 that would fit my truck without a lift. The cost ($219 each) was too high, as well!

I am very very happy with my Dynapros!

BAJACAT - 8-5-2011 at 04:40 PM

I still have some life in my BFG's. So I will install them later.. I will take a picture and post it latter..
for my truck was $1300 for a new set of Grabbers, right now is not in my budget, expecially now that the Dodge is not my daily driver..I used the 4Runner for pretty much everything..
I install them now I wont get much for the BG's..but if the SMM trip happens i will install them...

David K - 8-5-2011 at 05:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
I still have some life in my BFG's. So I will install them later.. I will take a picture and post it latter..
for my truck was $1300 for a new set of Grabbers, right now is not in my budget, expecially now that the Dodge is not my daily driver..I used the 4Runner for pretty much everything..
I install them now I wont get much for the BG's..but if the SMM trip happens i will install them...


Understood... Looking forward to seeing you use them!




[Edited on 8-6-2011 by David K]