BajaNomad - San Pedro Martir/ Valle Chico CANYONS

San Pedro Martir/ Valle Chico CANYONS

David K - 1-18-2012 at 11:48 AM

The desert canyons of Baja's mighty San Pedro Martir mountain range contain a wealth of beauty and history. They were home to the native Indians being a source of food and water. When the Spanish arrived and established missions, the Indian trails became communication routes from the gulf coast to the mountain and Pacific missions.

I first traveled down Valle Chico in 1967, when my parents first drove the dirt road from Ensenada to San Felipe in their Jeep Wagoneer. At the south end of Diablo Dry Lake, we missed the correct road for San Felipe and headed down the long valley. Farmers at Rancho Algodon got us pointed in the right direction, we spent an extra night at the foot of the sierra.

In the late 1970's, I camped often on the beaches south of San Felipe, but always looked to the mighty mountains to the west and searched for a road that would provide an access to Valle Chico without traveling back to San Felipe. I had read about such a road in a small guidebook (Camping and Climbing in Baja) and then saw it on a geologic survey map. After a couple of wrong turns, I found it south of the sulfur mine and made it all they way across to Valle Chico. It was long abandoned and possibly was used as a water supply for the sulfur mine during WWII? In recent years, it has become well used by SCORE for the San Felipe 250 race and appears on maps.

My first time driving across to Valle Chico from the sulfur mine was in 1978, and that opened up lots of exploring possibilities. I drove south to Matomi Canyon and met 80 year old Tomas Dowling who had two ranch houses in Matomi Canyon. One was his winter home, right where the Valle Chico road dropped into Arroyo Matomi. The other was 5 miles up the canyon where water falls and palms offer comfort even in the hottest months of summer.

Here is my map of the area made in 1980. I had fun exploring and mapping the region in detail from 1978 to 1982, which is when the new graded dirt highway to Puertecitos was built:

In 2004, Baja Nomad member 'Jide' and I explored the canyons in more detail. We also met 'bajalou', 'Mexitron' and others that trip: http://vivabaja.com/404

Here is a map made from that trip that shows roads to the canyons:

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

Historic Maps of the area:

1919:

Note 'Agua Charley' (Agua de Chale) on map... The old well of "Charley The Chinaman" can still be seen in the campground of Nuevo Mazatlan.

1930:

1941:

Note "Unexplored" in Valle Chico.

1962:

Howard Gulick, Lower California Guidebook map... first truly accurate Baja road maps.

1967-72:

2003 + notes:

2008:

Somehow, the better road between Carricitos (El Carrizo here) and Matomi is not included, but the older one to Parral is.

Satellite Image:

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

John W. Robinson's 1967 'Camping and Climbing in Baja' (La Siesta Press) with several revisions over the next few years provided the most deatil of the canyons.

Different books and maps sometimes have different names or spellings for the canyons. Here is Robinson's list of the Valle Chico canyons south of Diablo Mountain:

TULARE
TELEDO
DE MEDIO
EL OSO
EL CAJON
BARROSO
EL RUBI
CARDONAL
AGUA CALIENTE
CARRIZO
VERENDA (BERRENDO)
PARRAL
MATOMI

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

Bruce F. Barber '... of Sea and Sand' (2003) was the next author who provided great details of the canyons in his San Felipe geology guidebook. Here are his maps of the canyons:

17: Providencia
18: Teledo
19: En Medio
20: Oso
21: Cajon
22: Barroso

23: Agua Caliente
24: Parral
25: Matomi

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

Photos of Matomi Canyon from Hwy. 5 in, then north up Valle Chico (2006): http://vivabaja.com/618/page4.html

Photos of Parral, Berrendo, Carrizo, Agua Caliente and El Cajon canyons (2004): http://vivabaja.com/404

[Edited on 1-27-2012 by David K]

From 1967, Camping and Climbing in Baja:

David K - 1-18-2012 at 12:11 PM

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 12:59 PM

Great stuff, as usual, David. Many thanks. Your hard work is certainly appreciated by me---------especially love the maps.

Barry

David K - 1-18-2012 at 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Great stuff, as usual, David. Many thanks. Your hard work is certainly appreciated by me---------especially love the maps.

Barry

I appreciate the comments and suggestions... as well as great maps!

Here is the 1974 Auto Club map of that area from your collection!:

David K - 1-18-2012 at 01:26 PM

Here's the article I wrote about Berrendo Canyon's blue palms for Baja Bound: http://www.bajabound.com/bajatravel/el_berrendo_canyon.php

re canyons

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2012 at 01:31 PM

of all the maps, you did not post the most useful. why don't you post Jerry Schad's?

David K - 1-18-2012 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
of all the maps, you did not post the most useful. why don't you post Jerry Schad's?

His map is for climbing Diablo Mountain and Diablo Canyon... My post is on the canyons south of Diablo.

Because you mentioned it, here is his eastern climb map up Diablo Canyon:

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
of all the maps, you did not post the most useful. why don't you post Jerry Schad's?

------just to point out the "rest of the story", I believe that the route on Schad's map was the one pioneered by Edward "Bud" Bernhard (now deceased) of Coronado, CA back in the late '50's and '60's (not sure exactly when).

Nomad "Vince" would know for sure, I believe, as he climbed that route with Bud way back then.

Barry

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2012 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
of all the maps, you did not post the most useful. why don't you post Jerry Schad's?

His map is for climbing Diablo Mountain and Diablo Canyon... My post is on the canyons south of Diablo.

good post of the one canyon.

if you look at rest of the map and the back side, you will find he covers all of the major canyons that come off the SPM plateau.

sierra club trip reports

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2012 at 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
of all the maps, you did not post the most useful. why don't you post Jerry Schad's?

ya. and if you look at the old sierra club trip reports (many are online back to 1960s) you can find lots of info on the old sierra club trips to SPM area.

yes, i know many of you find the sierra club to be an abomination against mans quest for natural resource extraction and ORV use, but their many decades of trip reports are fascinating reading for the SPM area and other CA environs.

read them -- even you conservative baja history buffs will be amused

David K - 1-18-2012 at 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
of all the maps, you did not post the most useful. why don't you post Jerry Schad's?

His map is for climbing Diablo Mountain and Diablo Canyon... My post is on the canyons south of Diablo.

good post of the one canyon.

if you look at rest of the map and the back side, you will find he covers all of the major canyons that come off the SPM plateau.

Here is the other side... It only goes as far south as El Cajon Canyon and doesn't show the entire canyon to the valley... It is an excellent map for what it does show, yes.

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2012 at 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
The Sierra Club has become a political wing of the left and run by a bunch of old ladies who have never hiked the Sierra (so told me by former Sierra Club members).

those little old ladies get all wet when they think about this man:

[Edited on 1-18-2012 by mtgoat666]

DianaT - 1-18-2012 at 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

The Sierra Club has become a political wing of the left and run by a bunch of old ladies who have never hiked the Sierra (so told me by former Sierra Club members). They go far beyond their charter to close public land to the public! They should stay in the Sierra and leave the desert to groups like DesertExplorers.org IMO, naturally! :light:

More right wing nonsense! And the more desert that is protected, the better. The desert is slow to heal.

In years past the desert was considered a waste land and open to destruction----the more the destructive activities are kept to small contained areas the better. Way back when, everyone used to target shoot bottles and cans anywhere in the deserts---now there are the small designated areas that are trashed, but contained.

Same for many of the former off-road areas, which used to be just anywhere and the desert was ripped apart at will. The trend to contain this activity to limited areas is good and protects the fragile plants and wildlife in the rest of the areas.

And the Sierra Club and other similar organizations often now denounce some of their former activities as they have become more aware of the damage some of these activities caused.

[Edited on 1-18-2012 by DianaT]

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 04:02 PM

A little background--------Back in the '50's and 60's many of us belonged to the San Diego Chapter of the SIERRA CLUB and it was a fine organization. Bud Berhard was a member, and many of the Club trips to the SPM were lead by Bud---------but most of his pioneering in that area was on his own as he liked to explore solo with his huge backpack, and had the time to do it as he was an independent self-employed Construction contractor. There is very little of the SPM that he did not explore. It was a little later that many of us became disenchanted with the "Club" and resigned, including Bud, for the reasons stated by David K., as well as their many unreasonable (in our opinion) stands and distortion of the truth about various areas they were interested in "protecting" (reads locking up to others entry & use----but OK for the Club to go into). It's all a shame as they use to do "good work", and it was a fun organization to belong to.

The entire "Canyon complex" on the east face of the SPM is fantastic country, full of history, as many of you know.

Barry

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2012 at 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

The Sierra Club... run by a bunch of old ladies who have never hiked the Sierra

DK:
on a serious note, the sierra club is about much more than the sierras, and what's wrong with little old ladies?

Mexitron - 1-18-2012 at 04:13 PM

Thanks for the refresher David---now I have to get back to Berrendo! Its just amazing to see the Blue Palms there growing from the valley bottoms all the way to the tops of the granite peaks (ca. 3,500 feet?). Yep, be a fun trip to go canyon hopping.

DianaT - 1-18-2012 at 04:14 PM

I certainly have not agreed with everything the Sierra Club has done--but they are not a "political wing of the left" That is simply nonsense.

Have they ever distorted the truth? Yes, as well as has the other side. Often the problem is that if a conservation or preservation organization loses a battle, they lose the war and the results cannot be undone. For instance, they lost the battle to save Hetch Hetchy many moons ago and even if it was drained today, it would not come back.

The same is true of many desert areas, dune areas, or the headwater Redwoods----once ruined, they are gone. IMHO, it is best to keep the destructive activities in limited areas and in the scheme of things, the Sierra Club has been a rather middle of the road organization---more into conservation while other organizations are more into preservation.

DianaT - 1-18-2012 at 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

I hope the open minded libs here will swallow their self-rightous pride and read the real story as told by real members of the Sierra Club... As you have just proved, I spoke the truth and not any 'right wing nonsense'.

[Edited on 1-18-2012 by David K]

I guess the rest of the members are "not real" members?? Truth? There is a big difference between OPINION and TRUTH--

Nonsense, absolute nonsense.

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 04:21 PM

Correct me if wrong, but isn't HETCH HETCHY one of the main reservoirs serving the Bay area's water needs??? Yes, a beautiful canyon lost to a reservoir, but the alternatives would have been incredibly expensive, and not nearly as effective in supplying a reliable source of water----------man needs things (like water??) and there are priorities, and we do have Yosemite Vally somewhat perserved for the people to enjoy.

I think that David Brower was the one that turned me totally sour on the "Club", changed it's direction, and lost me forever.

But I get your point, Diane------but have different priorities, I suppose.

Barry

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2012 at 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
A little background--------Back in the '50's and 60's many of us belonged to the San Diego Chapter of the SIERRA CLUB and it was a fine organization. Bud Berhard was a member, and many of the Club trips to the SPM were lead by Bud---------but most of his pioneering in that area was on his own as he liked to explore solo with his huge backpack, and had the time to do it as he was an independent self-employed Construction contractor. There is very little of the SPM that he did not explore. It was a little later that many of us became disenchanted with the "Club" and resigned, including Bud, for the reasons stated by David K., as well as their many unreasonable (in our opinion) stands and distortion of the truth about various areas they were interested in "protecting" (reads locking up to others entry & use----but OK for the Club to go into). It's all a shame as they use to do "good work", and it was a fun organization to belong to.

The entire "Canyon complex" on the east face of the SPM is fantastic country, full of history, as many of you know.

Barry

I hope the open minded libs here will swallow their self-rightous pride and read the real story as told by real members of the Sierra Club... As you have just proved, I spoke the truth and not any 'right wing nonsense'.

[Edited on 1-18-2012 by David K]

dk:
barry did not prove anything. he just voiced his opinion that he and some others did not like wilderness protection efforts of the 1970s and later years.

DianaT - 1-18-2012 at 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Correct me if wrong, but isn't HETCH HETCHY one of the main reservoirs serving the Bay area's water needs??? Yes, a beautiful canyon lost to a reservoir, but the alternatives would have been incredibly expensive, and not nearly as effective in supplying a reliable source of water----------man needs things (like water??) and there are priorities, and we do have Yosemite Vally somewhat perserved for the people to enjoy.

I think that David Brower was the one that turned me totally sour on the "Club", changed it's direction, and lost me forever.

But I get your point, Diane------but have different priorities, I suppose.

Barry

You are correct---water for the bay area. And yes, you do understand---different priorities and different opinions, but that does not make either one of us real or not real ex members of the Sierra Club or the speakers of truth with a capital T.

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 04:48 PM

Well Diana, I was a "real" member of the Club, and I always speak the "truth" (as I see it, and remember it, of course) :lol:

-------and I still think the SPM is great, and I like it the way it is (not locked up---much), and I love the maps that David posts--------all else is forgiven, and nobody offends me. :lol:

----and I am outta here. (for now) :yes:

Barry

DianaT - 1-18-2012 at 04:48 PM

David,

Read it again, and again----you brought the politics into your thread.

Barry has an OPINION and did NOT prove anything and he understands the difference between OPINION and Truth. For him, I have respect and respect his difference of opinion.

Larana - 1-18-2012 at 05:19 PM

FYI. Quadded into Berrendo on January 10 and the entrance to Berrendo Canyon is now fenced off.

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 05:38 PM

There has been a secure fence across Barrendo up near the corrals about one and a half miles up stream from the "cross over" road between Canyon Parral and Carricitos for many years. We always parked there and walked up. Have they moved the fence, or is there another fence now down by the cross-over road???

Barry

David K - 1-18-2012 at 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
There has been a secure fence across Barrendo up near the corrals about one and a half miles up stream from the "cross over" road between Canyon Parral and Carricitos for many years. We always parked there and walked up. Have they moved the fence, or is there another fence now down by the cross-over road???

Barry

Last was in Berrando on New Years 2006... and then there was no fence, no corral, just white sand to where the rocks stopped your truck, and the hike begins:

Here is driving back out of Berrendo towards the Carricitos/ Parral road:

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 05:55 PM

Wow!!!!!! there was no "corral" up on the bench to the left as you drove in, maybe 1/4 mile down stream from where the rocks stopped you?? It had to be a BIG flood if that was all taken out----that corral was OLD!!!! The "fence" was just downstream from the corral and at right angles to the wash stopping all access further upstream. It was a VERY well made and secure fence, with a locked gate-------similar to the one across Parral Canyon where the cross-over road intersected the wash. The Corral was about where the blue palms started on either side of the main channel of Berrendo.

Barry

David K - 1-18-2012 at 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Wow!!!!!! there was no "corral" up on the bench to the left as you drove in, maybe 1/4 mile down stream from where the rocks stopped you?? It had to be a BIG flood if that was all taken out----that corral was OLD!!!! The "fence" was just downstream from the corral and at right angles to the wash stopping all access further upstream. It was a VERY well made and secure fence, with a locked gate-------similar to the one across Parral Canyon where the cross-over road intersected the wash. The Corral was about where the blue palms started on either side of the main channel of Berrendo.

Barry

Never noticed it Barry on either my April, 2004 trip or my January, 2006 trip. Both times we turned up Arroyo Berrendo from the Parral road, south of Carricitos... as seen on my 2004 map.

There is an older road that is shown on other maps that is more inland, to the west of the current road... is looked pretty much worn out.

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 06:31 PM

It's gotta be a flood that changed things since I was there----------amazing!!!!

----but now this other new poster says there is a fence again--------really curious where that fence is, and if you can go thru it on up Berrendo??? Maybe he will answer.

By the way, looking at your handdrawn map again, it looks like the fence and corrals I was talking about were about 2-1/2 miles up Berrendo from the cross-over road to Parral Canyon, not the 1-1/2 miles said before by me----- Maybe even 2-3/4 miles up canyon just short (1/4 mile) of the end of the road where all the boulders blocked you .

Oh well, not important. (but sure has me curious) :lol:

Barry

[Edited on 1-19-2012 by Barry A.]

David K - 1-18-2012 at 06:40 PM

Probably another marijuana farm? They move from canyon to canyon... each that has running water and a bench to plant their 'cilantro' crop on... Agua Caliente, Parral have both been used for pot. You can see the drip tubing chopped up by the army... AFTER the crop has been harvested. LOL

Remember when Lorenzo de Baja and I hiked up Agua Caliente on New Years Eve 2001 and found the farmers working the ground for the future planting? Here are the pictures: http://www.vivabaja.com/baja_2001/page2.html

Barry A. - 1-18-2012 at 07:09 PM

David---------

At least you realized what was going on in Agua Caliente--------when my Lawyer-son and cop-me camped at the spring for 3 days we did not even know the danger (?) we were in by never seeing the "crop" which must have been less than 300 yards down canyon from our camp. We even got visited by the "farmers" in the middle of the night, and STILL did not realize what was going on--------thank Gawd for my son's BIG stealthy german shepard which kept the "farmers" at bay with one bark. (a scary "one bark") :spingrin:

Pretty funny!!! (not) :lol:

Adventures in Baja!!!!

Barry

Mexitron - 1-18-2012 at 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
It's gotta be a flood that changed things since I was there----------amazing!!!!

----but now this other new poster says there is a fence again--------really curious where that fence is, and if you can go thru it on up Berrendo??? Maybe he will answer.

By the way, looking at your handdrawn map again, it looks like the fence and corrals I was talking about were about 2-1/2 miles up Berrendo from the cross-over road to Parral Canyon, not the 1-1/2 miles said before by me----- Maybe even 2-3/4 miles up canyon just short (1/4 mile) of the end of the road where all the boulders blocked you .

Oh well, not important. (but sure has me curious) :lol:

Barry

[Edited on 1-19-2012 by Barry A.]

In 1997 Hurricane Nora really cleaned out Berrendo...I was there in 1994 then in 1998 and it was amazing how much faster you could walk up the canyon after it being scoured...I have vague recollections of the corral, but nothing helpful here :lol:

I sure hope Berrendo isn't closed---though we did find remains of drip tubing systems up in the "Bowl" in 1998.

Larana - 1-19-2012 at 08:36 AM

The fence is about half a mile downstream from where the rocks stopped the vehicles. There is a gate above the arroyo but we did not try to get through and it would be very difficult for anything but foot passage or a quad. Another friend had been out a few days earlier and no fence but the rancher nearby had a load of ocotillo sticks ready to go. David K, we explored these canyons with you along with Baja Lou a few years ago.

Barry A. - 1-19-2012 at 11:42 AM

Thanks, Larana. What you describe sounds very much like what we encountered years ago, and at probably the same location------but minus the "corral". (washed our, probably)

Interesting. Thanks, again.

Barry

David K - 1-19-2012 at 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larana
The fence is about half a mile downstream from where the rocks stopped the vehicles. There is a gate above the arroyo but we did not try to get through and it would be very difficult for anything but foot passage or a quad. Another friend had been out a few days earlier and no fence but the rancher nearby had a load of ocotillo sticks ready to go. David K, we explored these canyons with you along with Baja Lou a few years ago.

OK cool... here are the photos of that trip: http://vivabaja.com/404

Bug - 1-21-2012 at 04:53 PM

Sorry to give bad news, was in the canyon Berrendo has a new fence so you can't go into the canyon all the way, like you use to..

Canyon Esperanza has a new fence also.

Sorry to share the bad news.

Bug - 1-21-2012 at 04:56 PM

I did hike in El Cajon last season, about 2 1/2 hours hike pass the water fall. Came across many writings on the rocks. The writings are on the right hand going into the canyon.

We are hoping to hike it again this season..

David K - 1-21-2012 at 05:41 PM

Thank you Bug for the update... Thankfully, things change and next year the fence may be gone... one flash flood will do it, too. I am glad at least I got to see it and take some photos so others who were not able to go can enjoy a small sample of the beauty hidden inside these canyons.

David K - 1-27-2012 at 08:19 AM

Bruce Barber's book cover and ordering info... excellent details on the canyons and other area geology: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum1/barber/

Vince - 1-27-2012 at 11:12 AM

David- I just looked thru your maps and read the entries on this subject. I love those old maps and charts, they stimulate some great memories as do the stories. Barry was right, I was one of the many, like him, to climb around those canyons in the '50's. I have a vivid memory of hiking up Diablo Canyon with Bud Bernhard, Becky McShea (sp?) and others . When we encountered the waterfall and the big pool of water, it was necessary to swim across and hike up along the waterfall to proceed. We had to belay our packs up and over the pool and waterfall. Fortunatly we had some good mountaineering people along with us. We continued up the canyon, made a base camp and climed the mountain the next day. These days I fly over that area on approach to San Felipe, but don't get close enough to see that waterfall, but we do see many of those Blue Palms you wrote about in other canyons. Also took some great trips with the Sierra Club people on the west side, hiking around the forest and meadows. All great stuff!

Barry A. - 1-27-2012 at 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vince
David- I just looked thru your maps and read the entries on this subject. I love those old maps and charts, they stimulate some great memories as do the stories. Barry was right, I was one of the many, like him, to climb around those canyons in the '50's. I have a vivid memory of hiking up Diablo Canyon with Bud Bernhard, Becky McShea (sp?) and others . When we encountered the waterfall and the big pool of water, it was necessary to swim across and hike up along the waterfall to proceed. We had to belay our packs up and over the pool and waterfall. Fortunatly we had some good mountaineering people along with us. We continued up the canyon, made a base camp and climed the mountain the next day. These days I fly over that area on approach to San Felipe, but don't get close enough to see that waterfall, but we do see many of those Blue Palms you wrote about in other canyons. Also took some great trips with the Sierra Club people on the west side, hiking around the forest and meadows. All great stuff!

Those were great times for sure, Vince.

The "Becky McShea" you refer to is my Mom's sister, Becky McSheehy, and she was EVERYWHERE in the SPM's back in those days and over the years (deceased in 1995).

I love all those canyons, all different, and each has stuff to see and explore, and I think I have been in all of them over the years. Sorry to hear that "Burro Bob" apparently is no longer at Cajon Canyon!?!?!?

Barry

David K - 1-27-2012 at 04:43 PM

Thank you Vince for adding that... and Barry for confirming Aunt Becky!

This is all great stuff, and like the maps we drew over the years of travels, I ask that you please write down the memories of your early days in Baja as a treasure of history and knowledge to share... like the story above... priceless!

Mexitron - 1-27-2012 at 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Becky McSheehy----that was a name I heard quite often in the Myron Smith "regaling" stories. What a time you must have had!

Barry A. - 1-27-2012 at 07:57 PM

Yes, good times Mexitron!!! Unfortunately, I was away at College when my Mom and Aunt Becky drove a VW bus to Cabo San Lucas and back over a months period, in the late '50's (or maybe early '60's?)---------that was an adventure that I was not able to do on my own until after the "pavement" went in-------a huge regret. Becky and Myron were great compadres, I know. I was only able to make one trip with Myron------into Agua Caliente Canyon, and Berrendo, Carrizo, and Parral way back in the early '60's on a trip lead by Bud Bernhard (Sierra Club trip). Myron was the best!!!

Barry

Fab!

El Vergel - 1-27-2012 at 10:09 PM

Hi David and thanks for this fabulous stuff! I love the way you have put together these things about one of my favorite places on Earth! Makes me wanna get there very soon!

David K - 1-27-2012 at 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Vergel
Hi David and thanks for this fabulous stuff! I love the way you have put together these things about one of my favorite places on Earth! Makes me wanna get there very soon!

It's in your (other) back yard, my friend! :cool:

David K - 1-30-2012 at 12:18 AM

While I have seen some or all of what can be seen in Matomi, Parral, Berrendo, Carrizo, Agua Caliente and Cajon... there is both more in those canyons to see plus the others I have not been into: Cardonal, Rubi, Barroso, Oso, En Medio, Toledo, Tulare...

So much Baja... so little time! :cool:

Mexitron - 1-30-2012 at 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
While I have seen some or all of what can be seen in Matomi, Parral, Berrendo, Carrizo, Agua Caliente and Cajon... there is both more in those canyons to see plus the others I have not been into: Cardonal, Rubi, Barroso, Oso, En Medio, Toledo, Tulare...

So much Baja... so little time! :cool:

Indeed! Just think of the upper reaches of all those canyons too---lots to be seen up in the mid-level elevation of those canyons I'd imagine...

Barry A. - 1-30-2012 at 01:13 PM

Bud Berhard hiked ancient trails to the top of both Cajon and Agua Caliente, connecting up with trails to the Martir Mission site, as I remember-----some BIG country up those canyons!!!

I have been up a little ways in all the ones mentioned here, plus Rubi, Enmedio, el barroso, and the unnamed canyon south of La Providencia (& Pico del Diablo). It is the more spectacular of those "lesser canyons", but you cannot get up it too far as it is really rough--(with ropes yes, but normal hiking NO). I don't remember anything special about the other lesser canyons. Bud tried to climb El Pichacho del Diablo from the canyon just south of la Providencia (& the peak), but don't think he was ever able to locate a route that was feasible without ropes, but could be wrong on that. The names and canyons get kinda confusing in this area on the maps------different maps showing different names and locations------really confusing, at least to me. I have several hand-drawn maps that Bud prepared and gave me, but even they are confusing, and hard to tie in with the Baja Atlas maps, and even the "official" Mexican topos in many cases. The names have changed a lot over the years on the maps of the lesser canyons-----the main canyons have remained the same, however.

Barry

Time spent on the canyon list

PaulW - 1-13-2019 at 04:13 PM

The list is for the canyons on the east side of Sierra San Pedro Martir

Attachment: Canyon list.docx (15kB)
This file has been downloaded 265 times

David K - 1-13-2019 at 06:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

The list is for the canyons on the east side of Sierra San Pedro Martir

Thanks, Paul... looks like you and I have the same desire to demystify things? That's like what I did with the spelling of names used by the missionaries, etc.
When Percebu was first shown on a map, it was spelled Persebu... minor stuff sometimes but it is good to have standardization. :light: