San Pedro Martir National Park

We bailed North County just after 5PM, missing Back To School Night (Teacher said that was FINE - as we'd be seeing a whole heck of a lot cooler stuff) and got on the I-5 southbound. To my dismay, no traffic until we hit the South Bay where we encountered a truck fire.






Was this an omen? Would we lose our lives in a massive inferno at San Pedro Martir? The mystery of the Park would soon reveal itself.............but first we stayed the night at our old dig in Ensenada -- Hotel Coronado. Look it up next time if you're looking for a cheap place to stay ($30). I once left an ice chest full of beer in the parking lot on the way to Scorpion Bay. When I returned 10 days later, the owner had it waiting for me, not one beer touched.

Unfortunately I didn't take any good pics but here's the view from the parking lot:






The next morning, we were amped to get going and see this new (to us) section of Baja. For years I had driven past the turnoff to the park, en route to some other locale, never wondering what was up the road. In fact, this was the first Baja trip that I didn't bring a wetsuit and surfboard with me. Actually, that's not true.......San Felipe and Tecate trips didn't have boards either.......oh well, it sounded right at first. Anyway, the whole no surfboard thing kind of stung for a bit, because the biggest swell of the Summer was gonna be hitting while I was on top of a mountain. Woody with a View tried to entice me over to his surf camp, but I held my ground, barely....................I'm glad I made my decision, as I discovered a whole new Baja playground, full of awe, wonder and exploration.















The drive in was a definite highlight. I can't even imagine doing it before the pavement was there. Ok, I can imagine it, but I wouldn't want to do it -- especially on the limited time that we had. Pay attention, as the road curves and winds and excessive speed will hurl you and your belongings over a 2000 foot cliff, surely to your death. More photos:









Approaching the park:



Thanks for the mountain lion reminder park service.......I hate those suckers..... after hearing a story about a father/daughter mountain lion encounter that didn't go well. Guess it's good to be aware though.....



No rangers were at the park entrance, so we came back the next morning and paid our fees.







We drove into the park and realized we were basically alone. We were alone in our campground, until Saturday night when 2 other families pulled in. Still they were out of ear and eyesight.....we didn't even know they were there till we were leaving Sunday.






We set up camp and got in the rig to explore the park. It had rained a few hours ago and there was some debris on the roads.













We wre late for the Observatory. Only open 10AM to 1PM. We'll come back manana.







Mountain Lion protection.




As Graham and Astrobaja told me -- plenty of firewood around. Don't waste any space hauling firewood up the mountain.







We told the kids they could make a fire, but without matches or a lighter. It worked.

We ate a great dinner and entered dreamland shortly thereafter. We were awoken around 4AM by coyote howls, then barks. Sounded just like a dog. Maybe 30 feet from the tent. This went on and on.....bark, bark, bark, bark, for 45 minutes. At one point I got out of the tent shouting and shining my flashlight but that didn't do anything. Bark, bark, bark, bark. Finally it just stopped and we fell back to sleep.


The next day we headed back to the Observatory, arriving exactly at 10AM. We joined a Mexican family for an epic tour of the telescope.








This was the view of Picacho Del Diablo from the observatory. Diablo is the highest point in all of Baja at 10,157 feet. We'd see better views later that day.....



The telescope




The view out the door at the top of the telescope. Someone fell to their death here a few years ago. I didn't venture outside.



The stairs leading up and down to the telescope. At that high altitude it was very hard climbing up......








Next, we headed over for a 8KM (total) hike to the Mirador El Altar. There some extreme steep grades heading up that required a few rests, but overall anyone in average shape could do this hike.








Release zone for Condors.....








At the top we reached a meadow with tons of cattle.












We then hiked over the to the Mirador Picacho.














Coming down the mountain!




The museum was closed for our entire stay. The rangers were kind of vague about when it would be open.....Graham, any thoughts?

We left the kids at camp and decided to do another hike, just my wife and I. The trailhead was in our campground so we couldn't pass it up. We saw deer, quail, and a coyote. See if you can see the little bugger in the photo.










Our time in the park was over. We were content and got our fill. There's still plenty more to see, and we'll do that next time............


We headed down the mountain. Next stop was Baja Dark Skies Inn. We passed thru scorched trees and chaparral on our way to the Inn. I remember Astrobaja recently posting on Nomad regarding the fire that was close to his property. Boy was it close!!









The ride in to Baja Dark Skies Inn





We arrived and were instantly and kindly greeted by Mike and Pamela. They gave us a tour of the Inn and surrounding ranch. Nowhere the last 3 days in the National Park did I see a body of water or stream, but they had one right in their backyard. All the H2O they would ever need. How valuable in a place like Baja!



The guest house......so clean and great artwork inside.



600 year old oak tree (estimate). In 1412 this tree was a baby. No Columbus or Cortez in this part of the world yet either......


Mike and Pamela showing us around. They have a slice of heaven.



Tons of apples. May be used to flavor beer I hear????



Astrobaja's backyard view


The highlight at the Inn was getting to see the telescope. I can't wait to go back and look back 9 billion years into the past. That's the light that this telescope can pick up. Light that left 9 billion years ago, entering the eyepiece, then to be interpreted by your brain. Pretty amazing stuff.





I must again thank Mike and Pamela for showing us around. It was a pleasure to meet you both -- and we'll be back soon! It was nice talking astronomy with you Astrobaja!

We headed out, back to the paved road, but not before stopping a few times to marvel at the beautiful landscape.








Nothing more to say, except it was a great trip. We stopped in Ensenada and got Carne Tortas at this place. Pretty damn good.




We headed to Tecate and had a 5 minute wait in the Ready Lane (Sunday afternoon).

Thanks Graham, Astrobaja, and other Nomads for the intel. You made the trip that much richer! Thanks.

-Ateo



[Edited on 9-8-2012 by Ateo]

[Edited on 9-8-2012 by Ateo]

[Edited on 9-8-2012 by Ateo]

Awesome pictures, looks like a great trip. Didn't know there was anywhere in Baja I didn't need to bring my own firewood

Bajaboy: yup I can vouch for that Raining very hard for quite a few hours now with more coming on the radar!

David yeah Ateo got it right its an 83" (tiny by modern standards) the 1.5 meter is de-commisioned for a while and there is a 34" scope too. Long range plans are for a 6 meter (240 inch) scope.

Great Stuff!

Most excellent trip report & pictures, Ateo. It's great to see other Nomads exploring that little piece of Baja that few others do. After two visits, I have yet to get to the Observatorio when they are open and it fits my schedule. The next time, I'm throwing the schedule away and making time for more hiking, visiting the Sky Ranch and see the observatory. My April trip report is also floating around on one of these forums --- it includes pictures & video of camping in freezing rain and snow and hellaciously high winds, ugh!

Did you get some decals for your car? I've got mine on the side window.

[Edited on 2012-9-25 by bryanmckenzie]

Quote:

Originally posted by bryanmckenzie Most excellent trip report & pictures, Ateo. It's great to see other Nomads exploring that little piece of Baja that few others do. After two visits, I have yet to get to the Observatorio when they are open and it fits my schedule. The next time, I'm throwing the schedule away and making time for more hiking, visiting the Sky Ranch and see the observatory. My April trip report is also floating around on one of these forums --- it includes pictures & video of camping in freezing rain and snow and hellaciously high winds, ugh! Did you get some decals for your car? I've got mine on the side window. [Edited on 2012-9-25 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2012-9-25 by bryanmckenzie]

GE KML file: Observatorio Nacional San Pedro Martir

This should work if you simply click on this Google Earth KML file.

Ateo's Baja Nomad trip report

If not, right-click this link to download it & save it to your own computer; then double-click the file on your computer to open it using Google Earth software.

PM me is you have problems so that I correct them.

1400 pixel image here. San Felipe is on the horizon beyond the famous hilltop. The observatory is behind the two ridge lines to protect against ambient light sources from the San Felipe "metropolitan" area.



[Edited on 2012-10-8 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2012-10-8 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2012-10-11 by bryanmckenzie]