BajaNomad

Hiking trails up to San Pedro Martir

Bajaboy - 4-21-2012 at 02:20 PM

After reading about Rancho Coyote, I got to thinking about trail running in the area. Does anyone know of any hiking trails up to San Pedro Martir? I suppose we could run the roads but single track is my preference. My buddy and I contemplating a long trail run up that way....anything up to 40 miles would be considered.

Thanks in advance for any information. We're also going to email the ranch but figured Astrobaja or someone else might have info.

Thanks

Zac

Barry A. - 4-21-2012 at 02:23 PM

There are several non-vehicular "trails" from near Socorro (up the road from the Meling Ranch) up into the Sierra San Pedro Martir. Nomad Vince and I have both riden (horse) and hiked them back in the early '50's. Not sure of their condition today, tho.

Barry

David K - 4-21-2012 at 02:27 PM

Read Graham's 'Nearer My Dog to Thee' and also get John Robinson's 'Camping and Climbing in Baja', old but valuable logs of the San Pedro Martir trails.

DavidE - 4-21-2012 at 04:00 PM

My dos centavos would be to get a G.P.S. and make way-points from start to finish. I could not believe how similar that country looks: Rolling ridge after rolling ridge. If we didn't have an arriero along my bones would have been bleaching somewhere up there long ago..

mtgoat666 - 4-21-2012 at 04:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
After reading about Rancho Coyote, I got to thinking about trail running in the area. Does anyone know of any hiking trails up to San Pedro Martir? I suppose we could run the roads but single track is my preference. My buddy and I contemplating a long trail run up that way....anything up to 40 miles would be considered.

Thanks in advance for any information. We're also going to email the ranch but figured Astrobaja or someone else might have info.

Thanks

Zac


the edges of plateau are very steep, not many good trails. probably a lot of stock trails, but those are not mapped, just ranchers know their routes.

jerry schaad's map of plateau is still best map, shows most trails and roads, and best published map available to buy.

you could have lots of fun running up there on plateau, as understory is clear, but the run on/of the plateau is a lot of bushwhacking in scrub vegetation.

not sure you will find good info before you leave for SPM. suggest you buy schaad's map, then go explore and look for routes using car or mt bike to get around. then come back later for a longer run. on the plateau, the old roads are some great mt biking, nice grussy ground.

Bajaboy - 4-21-2012 at 05:03 PM

All great ideas. One thought might be to stay at Mike's place and then explore a bit with some day hikes/runs. Mainly looking for a new adventure and an excuse to explore the area a bit more. I've got a few other Baja runs on my bucket list but I'd like to knock this one out this year.

wilderone - 4-21-2012 at 05:51 PM

There is a short book called Camping and Climbing in Baja by John
Robinson. There are a cople maps; the routes are explained. Says there are Indian trails, cattleman trails and that there is no reason to make recreational trails. Best is to be guided by the info you have, and know how to use map and compass and try to get a decent topo. I made a pdf of one of the maps that shows the trails, but I can't figure out how to post it here. It's an older publication, but probably the area hasn't changed much except for the main road. I'll make copies of the pertinent pages and mail them to you if you'd like.

Baja Bucko - 4-21-2012 at 06:17 PM

Yes, Robinson's book is a classic...traveling w speed on foot-keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes-they are BAD.......you do not want to end up like the guy several years ago who liked to travel fast and light-and died up there waiting for a navy helicopter to rescue him. Nailed by a rattlesnake....

30 years ago when I was on my 3rd trip to the mission site via La Grulla-we saw plenty of the buggers. Not someplace you want to get bitten as rescue takes awhile.

mtgoat666 - 4-21-2012 at 06:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
There is a short book called Camping and Climbing in Baja by John
Robinson. There are a cople maps; the routes are explained. Says there are Indian trails, cattleman trails and that there is no reason to make recreational trails. Best is to be guided by the info you have, and know how to use map and compass and try to get a decent topo. I made a pdf of one of the maps that shows the trails, but I can't figure out how to post it here. It's an older publication, but probably the area hasn't changed much except for the main road. I'll make copies of the pertinent pages and mail them to you if you'd like.


robinson's book is good. schaad's map is better and more useful for navigating. get 'em both.

yes, watch for snakes, but that's same as anywhere in mtns of alta or baja

Bajaboy - 4-21-2012 at 06:52 PM

See rattlers all the time in San Diego...but in the remote wilderness could be a big problem. I'll be traveling with a gps and my spot....just in case. Thanks again for all the good advice.

David K - 4-21-2012 at 09:07 PM

I have posted maps from both Robinson and Schaad here on Nomad... and Zac, you can come over and see the map and book, and I will loan them to you to study and use...

Robinson's:



Close up:




Here is Bicycle/ Baja Bob's map from their hike to the mission:




Howard Gulick's (with some notes I added):

wilderone - 4-22-2012 at 09:04 AM

Yes, I've heard about the rattlers around there. Be sure to wear some good gaitors.

Mexitron - 4-22-2012 at 01:19 PM

David---On the first map is a place called Santa Eulalia ( on the trail from Agua Caliente to Santa Rosa)---don't recall seeing that name before---is that a rancho or a visita?

David K - 4-22-2012 at 05:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
David---On the first map is a place called Santa Eulalia ( on the trail from Agua Caliente to Santa Rosa)---don't recall seeing that name before---is that a rancho or a visita?


John Robinson (Camping and Climbing in Baja) describes it as a region using the term 'Santa Eulalia country' as well as 'rolling plateau country', between Santa Rosa meadow and the top of Agua Caliente Canyon... He says vaqueros drive their cattle to feed during summer months there. In the note on Agua Caliente Canyon, Robinson mentions the Indian trail ascends the canyon to Santa Eulalia.

Very little is available on Mision San Pedro Martir history... even the first site of the mission (in La Grulla meadow) was a mystery until just a few years ago. San Isidoro was a visita or way station for San Pedro Martir, but no historic record of any place called Santa Eulalia appears in my collection of books.

David K - 4-22-2012 at 06:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
There is a short book called Camping and Climbing in Baja by John
Robinson. There are a cople maps; the routes are explained. Says there are Indian trails, cattleman trails and that there is no reason to make recreational trails. Best is to be guided by the info you have, and know how to use map and compass and try to get a decent topo. I made a pdf of one of the maps that shows the trails, but I can't figure out how to post it here. It's an older publication, but probably the area hasn't changed much except for the main road. I'll make copies of the pertinent pages and mail them to you if you'd like.


robinson's book is good. schaad's map is better and more useful for navigating. get 'em both.

yes, watch for snakes, but that's same as anywhere in mtns of alta or baja


Jerry Schad's is a great map, but only shows the north half of the SPM Park, and a close up of Diablo Mountain climbing routes, on the other side. However, for Zac, it probably covers any area he would be hiking in... closer to the observatory road.

It was published in 1988 by Centra Publications, 4705 Laurel St. San Diego 92105. ISBN 0-9617288-2-5

Bajaboy - 4-22-2012 at 07:38 PM

DK, thanks for the maps....getting some good ideas. Ideally, we might stay a few days at Mike's and check out that area and maybe scout a route up the mountain. I'm open to running the dirt roads but would be interested in single track. I think we'll find out more info from the ranchers. Thanks for all the input so far. We're tentatively shooting for mid to late fall.

Bajaboy - 4-22-2012 at 07:39 PM

Hey DK, where on the maps is Mike's place? I have an idea but not sure exactly.

David K - 4-22-2012 at 10:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Hey DK, where on the maps is Mike's place? I have an idea but not sure exactly.


Concepcion... the road to it, from the observatory road is near Socorro, on the Robinson map.

mtgoat666 - 4-23-2012 at 06:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
David---On the first map is a place called Santa Eulalia ( on the trail from Agua Caliente to Santa Rosa)---don't recall seeing that name before---is that a rancho or a visita?


John Robinson (Camping and Climbing in Baja) describes it as a region using the term 'Santa Eulalia country' as well as 'rolling plateau country', between Santa Rosa meadow and the top of Agua Caliente Canyon... He says vaqueros drive their cattle to feed during summer months there. In the note on Agua Caliente Canyon, Robinson mentions the Indian trail ascends the canyon to Santa Eulalia.

Very little is available on Mision San Pedro Martir history... even the first site of the mission (in La Grulla meadow) was a mystery until just a few years ago. San Isidoro was a visita or way station for San Pedro Martir, but no historic record of any place called Santa Eulalia appears in my collection of books.


when was last time you were on the plateau, dk?

latina - 4-23-2012 at 06:53 AM

You can also see the trails on Google Earth. Fly to Sierra San Pedro Martir and you will be able to see the terrain and compare the maps to the Spot and Google images.

astrobaja - 4-23-2012 at 07:32 AM

Bajaboy: if your plan is to scout from the Mikes Sky ranch area you might consider the old road which leads up the NW slope near punta San Pedro.It used to be a road a long time ago but now its strictly on foot/horse back.

There are lots of cow trails like those leading up to Cienega de Soto but they are pretty overgrown and I'd be worried about snakes that time of year. We have antivenin on hand here for an emergency but best to avoid the risk.

You can see the old observatory trail on googleearth. Its on the road between Mikes and us about 4 km from our place.

You guys are welcome to camp at our place too just let us know!

cheers

Mike

Bajaboy - 4-23-2012 at 07:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Bajaboy: if your plan is to scout from the Mikes Sky ranch area you might consider the old road which leads up the NW slope near punta San Pedro.It used to be a road a long time ago but now its strictly on foot/horse back.

There are lots of cow trails like those leading up to Cienega de Soto but they are pretty overgrown and I'd be worried about snakes that time of year. We have antivenin on hand here for an emergency but best to avoid the risk.

You can see the old observatory trail on googleearth. Its on the road between Mikes and us about 4 km from our place.

You guys are welcome to camp at our place too just let us know!

cheers

Mike


Hi Mike,

thanks for the info...I should have clarified that we would stay at your place.

astrobaja - 4-23-2012 at 07:55 AM

ok great! Then we can check out the maps and google earth together!!

look forward to seeing you guys!

Mike and Pamela

wilderone - 4-23-2012 at 08:01 AM

This is pretty cool - video re snake gaiters with rattler:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD27VeUewTA

astrobaja - 4-23-2012 at 08:07 AM

cool video! Yup I'm sure they work very well but wow they would be hot hiking in 90 degree weather! In truth we see rattlers (the dark viridis ones) only a few times a summer. They are much more frequent at lower elevations.

I chatted to Gonzalo the park director about antivenins and they have them on hand now in case of an emergency.

goldhuntress - 4-23-2012 at 08:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
cool video! Yup I'm sure they work very well but wow they would be hot hiking in 90 degree weather!

I can speak to that, they're hot and I don't think running in them would work, too bulky. If your just hiking they are fine and I recommend them. The thing I like about them is your lower leg is completely protected from thorns so when hiking you can push thru the low growing stuff and not get a scratch.

Sprocket - 4-23-2012 at 11:59 AM

I have a pair of Cabelas snake boots. There Awesome not to heavy and work good hiking or climbing I think they were $150.00.

There are a lot of unmarked trails in and around the park. A lot of stuff that dirt bikers used to ride until the park banned bikes.

Take a gps and go explore. Or even better hookup with the ranchers at El Coyote

[Edited on 4-23-2012 by Sprocket]

Bajaboy - 4-4-2013 at 10:18 AM

thanks again for the great ideas. This is back on my plate...maybe for late May.