marla - 9-8-2004 at 10:26 AM
So after seeing Bajo California I am really keen to see Sierra San Francisco cave paintings, even more than before. But let's face it I am not in any
shape to do any uphill hiking! Or probably any sustained mule riding either, though I am an experienced rider. Are there awesomely cool paintings that
one can view without being in shape?
Cueva Raton
Baines - 9-8-2004 at 10:40 AM
Near the end of the Sierra San Francisco road is Cueva Raton, this is a major painting site but is very near the road. It is fenced off and you must
get a guide to open the site for you. It is just a short easy walk. Be sure to clear with the authorities first, they like you to do this in San
Ignacio, but I have done it in San Francisco years ago. Warning the road up is long and can be rough.
other paintings
John M - 9-8-2004 at 12:47 PM
Though not nearly the scope of the Sierra de San Francisco paintings, there are two quite interesting areas not so very far off the road that leads to
Mission San Borja (off the Bay of L.A. road). These would provide a nice trip with only a minimal walk to the art at each site. Minimal walk being
less than half mile at each place. John M.
[Edited on 9-8-2004 by John M]
marla - 9-8-2004 at 04:41 PM
THANKS! Incidentally I have been trying to find where I can buy a copy of Bajo California the movie but have completely struck out....
David K - 9-8-2004 at 04:47 PM
Marla, they have them in Tijuana (no English subtitles like my copy we saw).
Hi!!
BajaCactus - 9-8-2004 at 06:15 PM
Hi Marla,
I could get you an original tape here in Tijuana if you wish, however it would bet without english subtitles.
Let me know.
Cave Paintings in Sra San Francisco
senor pumpwire - 9-8-2004 at 09:54 PM
Hi Marla, a visit to the village and the cave is an excellent adventure. Please do it correctly. Go to San Ignacio first, and get the proper permit.
When we did it a few years ago the office for INAH(sic?) was just off the sidewalk by the church in the plaza. it costs, sorry I dont remeber how
much. Face up the church steps, stickout your left arm, walk the sidewalk that direction if you get to the end of the church property you have gone
too far. When driving down Watch for the roadsign at the turnoff and you will no where to turn when you are headed back north from San Ignacio. It
would be a good idea to read a book like Harry Crosby's and speak some spanish before going. The road is not bad at all EXCEPT the road bed WAS
littered with fist to melon sized rocks, with the occasional head to torso sized rock. Any truck or van should be ok, but SLOW is the only way to go
unless in a modified vehicle. If you do not have reasonably new truck tires or a light vehicle a flat is a real possibility. When we got there we
had to wait a bit for the "powers that be" to round up a guide. If we had not been there the other people who had driven up would have been SOL as
far as getting any info from the guide since they spoke NO spansih and had not read about the "Pinturas rupestres". If you like to get off the beaten
track go for it. Just the glimpse of village life, the "chingo of chivos" and the views from the Sierra coming down make it worthy of a daytrip. HTH
Dave in east county AKA senor pumpwire.
Marla,
Mike Humfreville - 9-8-2004 at 10:05 PM
The site near the Bahia da Los Angeles - San Borja junction takes you directly to the paintings (within feet of your car) and they're on level ground.
It's on a level dirt road just a few miles off the highway. I suggest you e-mail David K and ask him for specific instructions. If that doens't
work, e-mail me. Enjoy.
Montevideo Pinturas
David K - 9-8-2004 at 11:24 PM
Yes, Mike last time you and I (and GeoRock) went there Marla was supposed to be with us. We three vehicles waited at the edge of town for her to show
up after she was getting gas at Diaz' but she went back to Gecko thinking we ditched her! I drove all the way back to Diaz' looking for her, but she
had already went back to Gecko
Here's Montevideo in 2002 (when Sarah was still my little girl)
Mike Humfreville and Pete
David K - 9-8-2004 at 11:31 PM
Here are you guys with GeoRock's Hummer at Montevideo, 9 months ago.
To get there, take the San Borja road 2 miles from the L.A. Bay highway and go left on the well traveled desert road, just under 7 miles, keeping left
at the only fork along the way. Some of the best Baja desert gardens are along this road.
[Edited on 9-9-2004 by David K]
The other site near San Borja...
David K - 9-8-2004 at 11:42 PM
... is called Las Tinajitas with dozens of small caves most with some paintings such as this...
I suggest hiring Jose or his son to guide you there, as I will not post the exact directions, on line, per request of a friend. You will aquire Baja
pin stripes on the drive in!
marla - 9-9-2004 at 10:28 AM
Well my 4Runner already has a few battle scars so that would be fine....thanks for all the suggestions! I am tentatively planning per Mary Ann and
Suzanne's or maybe it was Jeans suggestions to go to San Ignacio in March and stay at Rice and Beans, let them take me out to the lagoon to try yet
again to have a friendly whale encounter. Rice & Beans on their web site is offering a day trip for $50 to Cueva Raton, complete with permits and
guide, that sounds pretty appealing since it means I don't have to beat up my own car getting there...what do you think? And for the record David K
and Mike drive so fast I find it terrifying to be in a vehicle behind them. They make me look like a little old lady from Pasadena.
wilderone - 9-9-2004 at 11:38 AM
It's my understanding that Cueva Raton is the only one where you don't need a permit. But you do need the key to the gate. When you go to San
Francisco to get the key, a guide will open the gate and come with you. Usually you need a $7 camera permit which may be required for Cuevo Raton.
The road is doable in 2WD, and has a lot of blind turns, but the views are awesome. There are also some pictographs behind the Mision San Fernando
requiring no hiking; lots of pictographs at Las Pintas; a few exicting ones at El Volcan.
Mision San Fernando Petroglyphs
David K - 9-9-2004 at 06:06 PM
This was taken April 2003... They are on the east facing cliff a half mile past the mission.
You do have to climb/scramble up to a ledge to view them close, like I am here.
[Edited on 9-10-2004 by David K]
San Fernando Petros in 2000
David K - 9-10-2004 at 05:49 PM
More San Fernando Petroglyphs
David K - 9-10-2004 at 05:52 PM
Then there is Las Pintas!
David K - 9-10-2004 at 06:04 PM
Really so many petroglyphs to see and discover, this is just a tease! Also, the boulders are enbedded with fossilized oyster shells... a real
playground, with a waterfall (in wet months)... 18 miles south from Hwy. 1 on the Punta San Carlos road, then about 7 miles east on a Jeep road.
Pretty Fart Smellers these Indios!!
Bedman - 9-11-2004 at 12:45 AM
Dang!!
Bedman - 9-11-2004 at 12:49 AM
One of these days I'll get the picture thing right.
Just click on the Petros.jpeg and it'll come up....
Scratchin my head
Bedman