BajaNomad

Gonzaga Bay?

rocmoc - 9-16-2013 at 06:51 PM

We will be camping Gonzaga Bay in mid-Dec. What is the weather going to be like? We have camped the other side of the Cortez in Sonora (Kino Bay) at this time of the year and it was windy & moderate. We want to take the kayak but concerned water temp maybe too cold. We do have light-weight wet suits but will it still be too cold? Wish we could get away in Oct but can't. From what I have read, Whale Sharks will be gone.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

willardguy - 9-16-2013 at 07:07 PM

go to the papa fernandez website and click on local weather. click any dates and get all the past weather you want. count on chilly nights!

Bwana_John - 9-16-2013 at 07:59 PM

Windy.
Water temps 60 degrees, visibility 0-15 ft, fishing slow.
Windy.
A couple of times it rained.

freediverbrian - 9-16-2013 at 08:01 PM

After thanksgiving count on the north wind blowing three to four days a week. A full 2/3 surf suit is what I wear that time of year

brewer - 9-16-2013 at 08:32 PM

Water will be cold. Could be very windy. Scary on a kayak. Whale sharks will be gone, to warmer waters. Could blow for days. Cold nights, bring a lot of firewood. I love it.

CortezBlue - 9-16-2013 at 09:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocmoc
We will be camping Gonzaga Bay in mid-Dec. What is the weather going to be like? We have camped the other side of the Cortez in Sonora (Kino Bay) at this time of the year and it was windy & moderate. We want to take the kayak but concerned water temp maybe too cold. We do have light-weight wet suits but will it still be too cold? Wish we could get away in Oct but can't. From what I have read, Whale Sharks will be gone.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico


Yo neighbor
We live in Phx and have a place in San Felipe. I have to tell you, it can be a crap shoot. We have been in SF during Christmas break and FROZZZEEENNN to death. And we've been down at the same time and during the day it was wonderful and just cold enough at night to have a nice fire. The wind is always an issue if it is blowing off the sea. So I say go and plan on having a great time and plan on what to do if the wind kicks up and the air is cold.

Good Luck

redhilltown - 9-16-2013 at 11:47 PM

I'll second Cortez and his thoughts as to a crap shoot. I have camped many nights south of Puertecitos during the xmas holidays. Mostly 60's-70's during the day but things can change. You might get wind and some rain but these are northern storms that give you some warning...it is the summer ones that can really REALLY mess you up...especially the nasty off shore winds that roll down the canyons to the sea. Always have a plan b but for the most part, a great time of year to be in that area. If fishing spotted bay bass, triggers and corvina will be the ticket.

rocmoc - 9-17-2013 at 07:10 AM

Dang, was hoping for better. May call the trip off and go to Quartzsite and do a little Metal Dectecting & off-roading. Headed South of PV on the mainland in Feb thu March. Thanks everyone, didn't realize it would be that cool and rough, especially the water.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

David K - 9-17-2013 at 09:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocmoc
Dang, was hoping for better. May call the trip off and go to Quartzsite and do a little Metal Dectecting & off-roading. Headed South of PV on the mainland in Feb thu March. Thanks everyone, didn't realize it would be that cool and rough, especially the water.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico


If water activities are what you want, then perhaps... However, Gonzaga Bay (and other Baja destinations) have plenty of NON-SEA activities... exploring, rocks collecting, off roading, photography, missions, mines, El Camino Real... all that is near Gonzaga Bay!

Links on this page: http://vivabaja.com/tours (go to the Gonzaga Bay section)

Sample of the links on that page:


Bahia San Luis Gonzaga Area

Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay
Alfonsina's Beach
Onyx Springs create a mineral glacier
Molino de Lacy ruins & grave
Las Palmitas oasis and Santa Maria Canyon
El Camino Real to Mision Santa Maria
Santa Maria Canyon from the air
La Turquesa Canyon
La Turquesa Grade
Calamajue mission site
Campo Beluga (Gonzaga Bay)
Coco's Corner 11-06
Alfonsina's 11-06
more Coco's Corner

[Edited on 9-17-2013 by David K]

willardguy - 9-17-2013 at 09:42 AM

Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay

dont waste your time looking for this alleged jesuit warehouse, the military has used the "ruins" to spell out their unit name on the adjacent slope! :rolleyes:

David K - 9-17-2013 at 10:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay

dont waste your time looking for this alleged jesuit warehouse, the military has used the "ruins" to spell out their unit name on the adjacent slope! :rolleyes:


Dr. Eric Ritter had recently sent me photos as he was there on an archeological dig... are you sure we are talking about the same place? The military base/ checkpoint is in the valley on the other side of the hill from the bayside ruin.

willardguy - 9-17-2013 at 10:52 AM

this warehouse site you speak of is the north end of what WAS the long time fishcamp. for obvious reasons there has been a on and off military presence directly on the site.
can we see Dr Ritters photo's?

redhilltown - 9-17-2013 at 11:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocmoc
Dang, was hoping for better. May call the trip off and go to Quartzsite and do a little Metal Dectecting & off-roading. Headed South of PV on the mainland in Feb thu March. Thanks everyone, didn't realize it would be that cool and rough, especially the water.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico



Gotta say I agree with David K on this one! Hmmm...Quartzsite or Gonzaga Bay....hmmmmmmm....Gonzaga Bay!!!!!! The off roading up the washes is spectacular and when the sea is calm (as most of the time it will be) you have a world class stretch of coastline...maybe not to yourself but certainly light years ahead of anything in the U.S. as to people and intrusion. You are in the rain shadow of many many mountain ranges only very powerful storms from the north make it that far. Granted, if time is an issue I understand but if adventure and beauty is what you seek you can't go wrong.

This part of Baja is never going to be the same now that the new road is coming in...I would honestly consider exploring it before the traffic and the big rigs arrive.

David K - 9-17-2013 at 11:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
this warehouse site you speak of is the north end of what WAS the long time fishcamp. for obvious reasons there has been a on and off military presence directly on the site.
can we see Dr Ritters photo's?


Sure... the exchange Dr. Ritter and I had were last May and the second after the 2009 'lost mission' walls at Las Animas where he has done so much work.

micah202 - 9-18-2013 at 12:35 AM

....north winds down the sea of cortez are 20 +/- 10 mph most every day through the winter months...as a sailor I -love- it!
.....though when there's a 'norte' happening,,and it's associated chill,it's time to find a town and motel sometimes.

....for your kayaking,,if you're in Gonzaga,,Papa Fernandez's wouldn't be bad-it's well protected by a point to windward,so you can get on the water,,and see how you're feeling before you venture further.

..if you've got the time,get down to Mulege,,or bajia Conception for some similar protection,,and very good places.experiences on the water....conception has a lot of magic around every corner!

bkbend - 9-18-2013 at 08:41 AM

I kayak in Bahia de los Angeles in Dec-Jan in weather/water not too much different. You should be able to get days to go out. Do it early in the day before the winds come up, stay close to shore fishing the inshore rock structures, always head north so when the wind does come up you can ride it back trolling as you go. It only gets tricky when you catch a fish and are trying to land it as the wind is pushing you into the rocks.

willardguy - 9-18-2013 at 04:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay

dont waste your time looking for this alleged jesuit warehouse, the military has used the "ruins" to spell out their unit name on the adjacent slope! :rolleyes:


Dr. Eric Ritter had recently sent me photos as he was there on an archeological dig... are you sure we are talking about the same place? The military base/ checkpoint is in the valley on the other side of the hill from the bayside ruin.
I've read all of the dr. ritter, davidK, las animas conversation but could not find dr.ritters gonzaga photos or results of the archeologcal dig! can you point me in the right direction? thanks!

David K - 9-18-2013 at 05:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay

dont waste your time looking for this alleged jesuit warehouse, the military has used the "ruins" to spell out their unit name on the adjacent slope! :rolleyes:


Dr. Eric Ritter had recently sent me photos as he was there on an archeological dig... are you sure we are talking about the same place? The military base/ checkpoint is in the valley on the other side of the hill from the bayside ruin.
I've read all of the dr. ritter, davidK, las animas conversation but could not find dr.ritters gonzaga photos or results of the archeologcal dig! can you point me in the right direction? thanks!


I haven't posted them... give me a day or so...

Bwana_John - 9-18-2013 at 07:35 PM

Quote:

Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay dont waste your time looking for this alleged jesuit warehouse, the military has used the "ruins" to spell out their unit name on the adjacent slope
Quote:

re you sure we are talking about the same place? The military base/ checkpoint is in the valley on the other side of the hill from the bayside ruin.

The old warehouse site on the bay was used by "Marine Special Forces" for a couple of years, they had the plastic high speed patrol boats moored in front, and much of the preexisting rock work(mission era?) was "reconfigured" for fighting pits, borders for walkways to outhouses and other things the military seems to make the boys do to waste time.

WG is NOT talking about the current sight of the Army (Motorized Cavalry) checkpoint on Mex 5 which is over the hill.

willardguy - 9-18-2013 at 08:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bwana_John
Quote:

Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay dont waste your time looking for this alleged jesuit warehouse, the military has used the "ruins" to spell out their unit name on the adjacent slope
Quote:

re you sure we are talking about the same place? The military base/ checkpoint is in the valley on the other side of the hill from the bayside ruin.

The old warehouse site on the bay was used by "Marine Special Forces" for a couple of years, they had the plastic high speed patrol boats moored in front, and much of the preexisting rock work(mission era?) was "reconfigured" for fighting pits, borders for walkways to outhouses and other things the military seems to make the boys do to waste time.

WG is NOT talking about the current sight of the Army (Motorized Cavalry) checkpoint on Mex 5 which is over the hill.
my house is within shouting distance of this site, i've stomped around here numerous times, just curious what dr. ritter turned up? I know there's no shortage of bottle caps!:lol:

Bwana_John - 9-18-2013 at 08:17 PM

Quote:

my house is within shouting distance of this site,

Are you Jay's (with the mud hut) neighbor? I know he is not at the end anymore.

[Edited on 9-19-2013 by Bwana_John]

willardguy - 9-18-2013 at 08:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bwana_John
Quote:

my house is within shouting distance of this site,

You Jay's (with the mud hut) neighbor?
dat be me. casa de metal!

David K - 9-18-2013 at 10:56 PM

Here's my 2002 photo of the warehouse remains on the shore of Bahia San Luis Gonzaga... Punta Willard in the distance:




The warehouse was likely Franciscan, imo. It was used more for San Fernando de Velicata and the Serra expedition than Santa Maria. Serra had a cargo trail built that begins on the bay and goes west bypassing Santa Maria and joins El Camino Real 4 miles west of that mission.

From Dr. Ritter, email of May, 2013:

(in part): "I did do a field documentation and limited test excavation at the Gonzaga ruins. There is a rock slab floor down about 40 cm. No artifacts per se--a few Mission-era (presumably) potsherds outside (very difficult to find the little pieces) and a few basalt flakes and maybe one older piece of green glass."



tripledigitken - 9-19-2013 at 09:24 AM

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