BajaNomad

Camping Bahia Conception - Remote Camping

TLBaja79 - 12-24-2013 at 10:28 AM

I'm planning a trip in March. Unfortunately its so far away but gives me plenty of time to plan and the weather should be just right.

I've been out of the Baja Camping mix for about 10 years but am getting back into it. From other trips in the last few years I've seen lots of changes, so wondering about this area.

We plan to go camp in Conception Bay on the Penninsula part. Does anybody on here have information about camping out there?
I'm familiar with Baja dirt roads and camping Baja, but don't know that area at all. Just been a couple miles off the road a the south end of Conception Bay, past the flats, but thats as far as I've been.
I have a 4x4 truck. We are looking forward to finding 'our own' beach for a few days. Is that possible out there? I'd imagine not many people are out that way? Maybe just a fish camp or 2?

Any information you may have would be appreciated.

Pompano - 12-24-2013 at 10:55 AM

I've been out there several times since 1973. Used to go deer hunting with some locals. The peninsula is easily reached and explored with your 4X4. There's a few fish camps scattered along it's bayside shores and also on the Cortez side. These are supplied with the fish camp guy's own 4X4's and of course, their pangas.

The route is clearly marked, (mostly just follow the shoreline) but don't expect it to be smooth all the way. Recent storms will have had their affect on the road's condition, but you know that already. I've driven a 25ft Minnie Winnie most of the way...and on other trips got stuck in my CJ-5....it all depends on the washouts.

You can make it all the way to the last beach..Playa Domingo (Sunday Beach). Has a fish camp at one end and great sandy beaches in a semi-sheltered bay. Good shelling and beachcombing..especially after a good northerly.

There are several things to see...Painted Canyon (rock drawings and old camp middens to explore), a couple older ranches (Baja Patty's Rcho Margarita for one), it's important to get permission to cross any fences or gates first.

Then you can cross over at the end to see the old manganese mine on the Cortez side. We used to camp there and explore some mine shafts...watch out for snakes. Good shore fishing from the mine and around that shoreline area...also snorkeling and langosta.

A word of warning...take a handheld VHF, sat phone, or ? to reach help if needed. It is very much deserted over there, with a little drug activity over the years, some rare Army patrols, and now and then some unsavory characters we've met over the years.

March weather should be good. Take plenty of water..and have fun.

bajabuddha - 12-24-2013 at 11:42 AM

You won't find many 'beaches' along the east shore, have boated the length of it... however, about 1/2 way up the bay there's a very prominent point that juts out into the bay, the south (leeward) side of it is sheltered and has a very nice beach, and great shore-rishing there too. From the point north is a good trench that drops off to 60-90', but the li'l cove is fairly shallow. Watch for rays if you go wading/swimming.

There's also an abandoned runway out on the point, and lots of good beach-combig to the north. Just keep your vehicle and 'stuff' in sight.

Farther north is a working fish camp almost to the north point, and around it are lots of rocky ledges probably great for snorkeling.

A word of caution; do not try to even cross the south flats if it's rained in the last week or so, even w/ 4x4 you'll wish you hadn't. If there's standing water, don't go through it unless there's fresh tire tracks that have. There's a 2nd access road about a mile south that 'gully-wumps' across the low hills, slower going, but better than sinking to your axles.

David K - 12-24-2013 at 12:31 PM

The Concepcion Peninsula has been a mystery to many. It intrigued Erle Stanley Gardner when nobody could tell him what was over there. So he went! In 1966, using J.W. Black's custom made off road vehicles and air support from Capt. Muņoz, whom they built a runway for over there.

In Jim Hunter's 1977 guide, 'Offbeat Baja' one finds the first detailed road log. In 1996, the Higginbotham's also logged the road on the other side of Concepcion Bay in their guide 'Backroad Baja'.

The auto club finally drove the road and added it to their Baja maps:



The 1993 Baja Almanac, map book, Map #37:

Pompano - 12-24-2013 at 12:43 PM

The peninsula has never been much of a mystery to people who live here. It's been very popular over the years and a few hundred people lived at the mine back in the day. The two fish camps shown at the bottom of the photo are long gone. Others are scattered up the bayside of the peninsula...some go dormant for years, then come back when it's time to rape some more marine-life. Some trails are not shown..like the one around the tip and back to the mine.

I think I have a project in mind. A photo trip around the BOC peninsula? Might be of some use to today's new adventurers.


[Edited on 12-24-2013 by Pompano]

rail - trail to the mine.jpg - 38kB

David K - 12-24-2013 at 12:48 PM

Yes indeed Roger... and since the manganese mine was active during WWII or there-abouts, I wonder why Erle hadn't been informed? There was no mention of it in the 1956-1964 Lower California Guidebook, so maybe that was his only source for data on it?

Pompano - 12-24-2013 at 12:53 PM

Well, I'm kinda busy at the moment filleting steelhead (on a good day!), but I reckon I can dig through my morgue & put together a photo map for TLBaja79 before he heads out there on his March trip.

Always fun to take another trip in Baja!

Vince - 12-24-2013 at 02:19 PM

This October I was exploring the east coast of Conception bay and totally enjoyed it. I was in my 16 foot Boston Whaler and spent most of the day trolling and observing. It was very quiet, no people, no fish camps, only Frigate birds and Sierra fish. It seemed like it was back in the early 1960's when I first went over there. It was pristine and wonderful. I looked for the old ranch that we found in the early '60's, but it was long gone. It was abandoned even back then. You should enjoy camping there.

Mula - 12-24-2013 at 02:48 PM

We usually go to the Peninsula for 3 or 4 days every May. Take 4 wheelies, skiffs and go out in the Pickups. No fish camps, very quiet and serene except for the trucks on the Mex 1 across the water at night.

Pompano - 12-24-2013 at 03:18 PM

Characters gone from the scene today. Anyone remember Corana Dave? He lived out near the point in a ramshackle palapa for a few years. Yvonne was his companion. They had some times!

And of course, Baja Patty at her horse ranch was a real Baja lover and much loved by others. Her place had/has good water.

KurtG - 12-24-2013 at 03:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
Characters gone from the scene today. Anyone remember Corana Dave? He lived out near the point in a ramshackle palapa for a few years. Yvonne was his companion. They had some times!

And of course, Baja Patty at her horse ranch was a real Baja lover and much loved by others. Her place had/has good water.


I do remember Corona Dave and hearing him on the VHF inquiring what day it was. Seemed he would lose a few from time to time.

Bob and Susan - 12-24-2013 at 03:32 PM

the part across the bay is really green...

our little boat has been going over to
Playa Domingo (Sunday Beach)
over here...we call it "jingle beach"

there is a fish camp near but not much action

we see cars on the "tracks" once in a while
but hardly ever

i'd take a boat over if it was me...take a few minutes to cross

"sharky" made a run to the tip a few years ago with his dog
and photographed it

some "bikers" rented a panga a few years ago and floated over for the "ride" to loreto...wow...they were loud

there is nothing over there so have a plan for emergencys

ricj3.jpg - 46kB

monoloco - 12-24-2013 at 04:22 PM

In Nov-Dec 1993 I spent 3 weeks camped out with friends at Punta Amolares. Took over the fish camp palapas which were abandoned at the time. We had great windsurfing, kayak fishing, and awesome hiking and climbing in the mountains of the peninsula. I remember there were some gringos who had a pretty nice rancho right on the water near to where Baja Patty had lived. I haven't been back since and have often wondered what happened to their place.

Bob and Susan - 12-24-2013 at 05:07 PM

we think there is water there...

no one wants to hike up the hill:biggrin:

ricj3.jpg - 47kB

Casey67 - 12-24-2013 at 05:29 PM

The prominent point halfway down is a decent place to camp. It's essentially straight across from Burro/Coyote beaches. You might be able to work out an arrangement with Juan Carlos to bring you extra water/supplies on his pontoon boat since he's over near there often for fishing and clamming. You'll find him at his JC's Restaurante el Burro on the highway across from the entrance to Burro beach.

Near the tip on the inside has a bit of a beach looking area I've yet to explore or camp. It's a possibility but not sure about the road there.

The road gets messed up by big rains but within 6 months it's usually fixed up to passable, at least in a 4x4. Rain usually only comes in the fall, so by March you should be good. The people that come and go from the fish camps and ranches over there make sure of having a way in and out. I don't know if they go all the way to the tip but usually the road to half way is driveable in a regular pickup once they've cleaned it up.

I don't know if this has changed, but historically it is NOT recommended to leave a vehicle parked alone anywhere near the south entrance section of the peninsula road because of thievery.

Good luck on your trip. I'm at JC's or Bertha's store (km107 Coyote area) sometimes, so maybe we'll bump into each other.

David K - 12-24-2013 at 06:17 PM

Photos (Pompano's and other's) of the Manganese mine ('Gavilan') and other spots on the Concepcion peninsula have been posted on Nomad:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55285

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=51392

Here is something I posted in 2011:
Quote:
Originally posted by rockman
There are several references to the Gavilan mine which produced manganese (not magnesium) for the US war effort during WWII. At that time, more than 6,000 people worked at the mine. It was operated by a Mexican subsidiary of the Homestake Mining Co. Lessened post-war demand diminished the output, and the mine closed when a hurricane devistated much of the infrastucture in 1946. Although many of the foundations and concrete floors still survive, all of the equipment was salvaged and moved to other operations. The ore consisted of veins of pyrolusite, traces of which can still be picked up. There are great campsites, but the drive from the west side of the peninsula to the east can be quite challenging. High clearance is mandatory.

Best References:
Baja Explorer magazine (Later called Baja Life), Nov-Dec, 1991. Article by Bob Vinton.
Manganese on Punta Concepcion, by James Noble, Calif Inst of Tech, in Economic Geology, v45#8, Dec, 1950.



Here is the magazine cover, followed by the 4 pages of the article by Baja Bob (Bicycle Bob) Vinton!











The Baja Explorer Magazine was one of the great creations of Landon Crumpton, who also published the Baja Atlas and Baja Almanac Map Books.

TLBaja79 - 12-24-2013 at 09:04 PM

Nomads are the best.

Thank you all for the input. Talk about a great source of information on Everything Baja!

I'm familiar with Baja Camping in the middle of nowhere. Would you guys say there is more of a concern now for safety (personal? or always theft) than in the past. Removed from Baja camping for 10 years, I know a lot has changed. Or taking the usual precautions the norm for then and now?
I could see fishermen taking advantage of a truck/camp with nobody tending to it out on the Conception Penninsula, its almost like I'm getting the feel that its flat out dangerous in that area? Or is petty theft the latest and greatest for them?

Probably opening up a can of worms but I'm always interested.

Bob and Susan - 12-25-2013 at 06:32 AM

davidk is talking about leaving your stuff at the south end of the bay and leaving...

this is probably NOT a good idea...its like leaving it on the highway...
not a good idea

the Conception Penninsula is empty...no one there...EMPTY...
there is no support unless you set it up in advance

if no one is there its safe

very few go there unless they take a boat

chuckie - 12-25-2013 at 07:08 AM

We do the jingle beach and mine areas a couple of times a year, by boat. Have been all the way to the mine in a 4wd truck a couple of times but not recently. Fascinating area..we were talking about doing it again, just the other day....

Pescador - 12-25-2013 at 08:55 AM

When we run the peninsula, we do it on quads and it is a long one day trip. We leave our vehicle or vehicles at Punta Las Tasajeras where there are some houses and fishermen who catch and process sting rays. We pay them a few bucks and it is much safer. IF you want to lose all your stuff, park in the old campground area and everything will be gone within a half-hour. They will break windows, pry open trunks, everything and they do stuff very quickly.

The peninsula road is like being in a different part of Baja as the flora and fauna is different from the other side of the bay. It is a great place to explore.
Last time there were three people camping at one of the old fish camps and they were from University at Mexico City and doing a study on the Catarina Scallops. They had a good crop growing and it was fun to see how they swim by opening and closing their shells. The military has been very active in that area, especially where the road takes off to San Sebastian.

apple - 12-25-2013 at 11:00 AM

is there still a fresh water pump/well by the mine?

dtbushpilot - 12-25-2013 at 01:17 PM

There is a good size retention pond up El Salto canyon.

David K - 12-25-2013 at 01:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
davidk is talking about leaving your stuff at the south end of the bay and leaving...

this is probably NOT a good idea...its like leaving it on the highway...
not a good idea

the Conception Penninsula is empty...no one there...EMPTY...
there is no support unless you set it up in advance

if no one is there its safe

very few go there unless they take a boat


David K talked about what?? I always go where my Tacoma takes me, which is everywhere!
I have not been over there so I would not make any suggestion but never to abandon your vehicle there.

Bajatripper - 12-28-2013 at 12:25 AM

There's a spring at San Ignacito (could be San Ignacio), along with what remains of an old American woman's homesite, about mid-way up the peninsula at Conception Bay, on a hillside overlooking the bay. I didn't notice San Ignacito on any of the maps posted here, but seem to recall it's on my Baja Almanac, which is up at my home (I'm visiting family in California at the moment). That's a real nice camp spot and I seem to remember someone said the American lady is buried somewhere there where she lived--always good when camping with superstitious people.

I know there's another water source further up, where someone is raising cattle, but don't recall the name of the place.

Pompano - 12-28-2013 at 01:09 AM

Sounds like you came across Baja Patty's Rancho Margarita.

She was a Treasure Baja Legend - Baja Patty

Remembering her.....

Many of you know the legend of Baja Patty, who lived on the Conception Bay peninsula at her Rcho Margarita. She was a real Baja gal who loved horses, horsemen, tequila, the rugged outdoors, life without too many rules, and giving with her heart. Per her wishes, she is buried there now.

Once she heard I was sick with a fever and drove the 3 hours over the old rough trail from her place to mine to give me some homemade tea medicine and this little figure I'll show below. We were blessed to know her.

One of my 'treasures'...a Baja Patty 'Little People' figure of Villa...and memories of Patty.

-0 a Little People - Baja Patty.jpg - 43kB

David K - 12-28-2013 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
There's a spring at San Ignacito (could be San Ignacio), along with what remains of an old American woman's homesite, about mid-way up the peninsula at Conception Bay, on a hillside overlooking the bay. I didn't notice San Ignacito on any of the maps posted here, but seem to recall it's on my Baja Almanac, which is up at my home (I'm visiting family in California at the moment). That's a real nice camp spot and I seem to remember someone said the American lady is buried somewhere there where she lived--always good when camping with superstitious people.

I know there's another water source further up, where someone is raising cattle, but don't recall the name of the place.


Hi Steve... look again, it is on the Almanac map (2003) I posted above... on a side road about 6 miles north of Margarita... Happy New Year to you, Zully and family!