BajaNomad

Photo Essay- Mulege-San Juanico-La Purisima-Paso Honda-Mulege

willyAirstream - 2-16-2014 at 04:18 PM

Mulege-San Juanico-La Purisima-Paso Honda-Mulege trip album 43 pics.
Extra Lap Al on a Honda 600XR and I left Friday and took our time to San Juanico, 4 hrs with stops of about an hour. Camped on the beach and meet 2 different parties from my hometown in

Mass, a tiny fishing village. Amazing small world. Got a late start and headed for La Purisima, then back to Mulege via Paso Honda, the hard way, to say the least. Climbed over two mountains of

3700 ft from sea level and it was treacherous! Got back to Mulege in one piece about 4pm. Coming back this way revealed amazing sights from oasis, deep canyons, 60 ft cactus, water holes

and beautiful valleys. It was a true adventure over those mountains. The pics don't tell the whole story - steep! twisty narrow rock strewn trails ( not really roads), land slides, rock slides, hugh tire

eating holes, no way to turn around, no way to back down, just go for it and make No mistakes. We had done one of those mtns last october and thought that would be easier than the first and it

was , but only slightly. It was 10 times more difficult than in Oct. Things change quickly here. Enjoy the ride, I did !
more pics on my facebook - zgdesign


Packed and ready to roll




Heading out Ice House Rd to San Juanico


all roads from ice house road are recently graded to the base of the mountains




San Juanico












Heading to La Purisisma






Road is a freeway from LP to Paso Honda, then it is a trecherous climb over 2 mountains. Shoebox size rocks 2 ft deep up one side, small slippery rocks and gravel going down. The next

mountaion was full of dirt and rock slides. High clearance, crawling low gear, good tires is a must. Not for the faint hearted.








This is coming down the first mtn, arrow denotes the road. It looks easy, but it was a b-tch.




Last descent and we will be home! Great trip!

bonanza bucko - 2-16-2014 at 04:31 PM

I certainly hope these photos meet the dumb guidelines on this page because they are just super!
BB

KurtG - 2-16-2014 at 04:40 PM

Brings back good memories. I have done that route across to San Juanico several times and in March '12 Kathy and I did the back way from San Isidro to Mulege and posted a trip report here. That trip was inspired by Mulegena's description of their trip. I had tried 3 previous times going back 15 years to get through and finally managed. As you said there were places where there was no turning back, the descent to El Llano in particular. The views at mile 37 southbound made the whole thing worth it. Did the motorcycle go through there and if so how did he fare?

DianaT - 2-16-2014 at 04:54 PM

Very, very nice. Great Photos!

willyAirstream - 2-16-2014 at 05:19 PM

Thanks for the compliments!
Al never fell, but his rear tire came very close to bouncing off the trail and he would have fallen, way way down. He has years of experience and it showed as he bounced from rock to rock.
I usually post 2400 wide pics to FB, but used 1200 as a compromise so i could use the same pics here.
May be a little bit big for antique monitors .

Pacifico - 2-16-2014 at 05:31 PM

Nice! Looks like a fun trip!

Pompano - 2-16-2014 at 05:38 PM

Great trip photo report, amigo. Brings back some very old memories of the trail to the Far Side.

Cypress - 2-17-2014 at 03:59 AM

WillyAirstream, Thanks.

chuckie - 2-17-2014 at 04:28 AM

Graet pics, Richard!

Mulegena - 2-17-2014 at 06:56 AM

Great ride, thanks!

One of the best favorite places in the world - La Purisima to Mulege, south to north-east.

Love it!!

Ateo - 2-17-2014 at 08:08 AM

That tienda for sale in La Purisima would be the hippest place in town if it was north of the border. Put that in SD and it would be some urban trendy pub or something.

Thanks for the photos.

rts551 - 2-17-2014 at 08:14 AM

great! Picture perfect. Would like to try that route on a 4x4 quad.

Majorcynik - 2-17-2014 at 08:28 AM

FANTASTIC!!!:spingrin:

MulegeAL - 2-17-2014 at 09:45 AM

Thanks for posting up the pics of our trip, 'yer an easy guy to travel the backcountry with!
Honda XR600 rules on no bueno camino! 17 years of baja on that bike, is still a solid dependable ride.

Note to any who think they wanna do the route from San Isidro north:
Road conditions over the high passes around here have deteriorated significantly since Jimena/Paul and subsequent tormentos. I have been over all the high pass routes this season and the only one that is passable easy w/clearance is west of here down the San Raymundo wash.

All the other high pass routes have severe erosion damage to the roadbed and are very difficult to transit.

The part I am concerned about is that the low roads on the valley floors are much improved, better than ever actually, making the approach to the mtns easy. But as soon as you go past the end of the improved camino it becomes very difficult and would be dangerous for transit by anyone with less than very good to expert skills off road/survival/self-recovery. Richards pics in no way show how bad the bad parts are, and neither do mine. Please do not let his scenic pics suck u in over your head, this route is the deep end of the pool, around here anyways.

If anyone does choose to go the hard way, please be sure to let nomads know behind and in front!

I got a cold one here for the next one who can make a clean pass through (probably shouldn't say that, but the guys who are gonna do this are gonna do this, might as well compare notes!)

Udo - 2-17-2014 at 11:09 AM

Great photos Willy...brings back memories, great ones!

tiotomasbcs - 2-17-2014 at 02:11 PM

Thanks for sharing your trip and fotos, Amigo. The beaches in San Juanico look inviting with the little shade palapas. Summer escape from the heat. I'll be up in another month and let's go exploring. Where did the dog ride, shotgun? Tomas

Kgryfon - 2-17-2014 at 03:04 PM

Great photos! Do you know the story behind the whale looking boat thing?

Sweetwater - 2-17-2014 at 03:38 PM

Wow, I've been to those spots 3 years ago and they were torture on the motos. Beautiful scenery but brutal routes to ride. You've got a U2, I'll be in Yuma 3:10 on Friday.




[Edited on 2-17-2014 by Sweetwater]

KurtG - 2-17-2014 at 04:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MulegeAL
Thanks for posting up the pics of our trip, 'yer an easy guy to travel the backcountry with!
Honda XR600 rules on no bueno camino! 17 years of baja on that bike, is still a solid dependable ride.

Note to any who think they wanna do the route from San Isidro north:
Road conditions over the high passes around here have deteriorated significantly since Jimena/Paul and subsequent tormentos. I have been over all the high pass routes this season and the only one that is passable easy w/clearance is west of here down the San Raymundo wash.

All the other high pass routes have severe erosion damage to the roadbed and are very difficult to transit.

The part I am concerned about is that the low roads on the valley floors are much improved, better than ever actually, making the approach to the mtns easy. But as soon as you go past the end of the improved camino it becomes very difficult and would be dangerous for transit by anyone with less than very good to expert skills off road/survival/self-recovery. Richards pics in no way show how bad the bad parts are, and neither do mine. Please do not let his scenic pics suck u in over your head, this route is the deep end of the pool, around here anyways.

If anyone does choose to go the hard way, please be sure to let nomads know behind and in front!

I got a cold one here for the next one who can make a clean pass through (probably shouldn't say that, but the guys who are gonna do this are gonna do this, might as well compare notes!)


Al,
I agree with you completely. After going through there in our Explorer part of the reason for my trip report was to give a good picture of the difficulties. As I mentioned in my earlier post, there were places that we didn't want to have to try to go back up and I would only do that trip South to North.

I admire your riding skills. I am a mid-level dual sport type who has done most of those back country roads on a beat up old KLR over the years. I would not attempt that route on two wheels. Perhaps in younger days but no more. I'm going to be in Mulege in the near future so will look you up. Also, I agree with you about the xr600, a great dependable bike. I just can't handle kick start anymore, gotta have that nice starter button.

MulegeAL - 2-17-2014 at 05:10 PM

KurtG,
Hell yeah, come on down!
I expect to be out in the San Martin wash again end of the month/2 wks with the mexicans for a couple of days. Got some stuff to take 'em. Might be quad, might be moto w/mexican backup, will see. Is all good.

Believe it or not, when the XR was new I could start it by hand when stuck in tight places in the Trask River coastal mtns where it was impossible to get a foot on it. It has unique and effective compression release/anti-kickback features.

SweetH2O,
Not sure if you are conversing with me, but anyways, if u are in Yuma, go east of town and practice your powerslides on the irrigation dike roads, they go for miles, are perfectly graded; is a real hoot!

And then there's the Barry M Goldwater bombing range to ride thru.....

willyAirstream - 2-17-2014 at 07:04 PM

Glad you all like the pics.
Tio, Moouse, my Lab, loves getting in the boogie, but he doesn't like the 5 point harness or the helmet. Wiggly, the Mulege Purebred, is not an air cooled gal, she likes her creature comforts.
Someone here must know the story behind that whale watching boat. It looks like it has been there for years. A ton of work and fiberglass went into that thing.
A 4x 4 quad will have difficult times not getting high grounded in the deep holes and ruts. A 1000rzr would find it a challenge. Then again, I know an Artic Cat guy who may attempt it.
If you go, have 2 vehicles, and let one go up solo in case he is stopped and needs to come back down { or up} you won't have to move 2 vehicles. Once you start, there is no turning back. I didn't take pics of the rough stuff because stopping for a Kodak was not an option. Maintaining your momentum is a must.
The canyon and Valleys are spectacular! Very surreal, goats on the cliffs, driving thru huge cactus with no under growth, just plain sand, breath taking views in all directions.....
Kurt.. you and Al and Ged would get along great. We will have to set up a meet.

a couple more pics..











Gulliver - 12-18-2015 at 07:25 PM

At the bike shop today the word was that a local on a bike tried to get through from Mulege to San Isidro (Southbound) last week and had to turn back due to loose rock on the climb. Hmm.

They also are talking about an attempt at loop ride after new years from Mulege to San Jose de Magdalena via Mission Guadalupe. Much laughter from me. With any luck I will get loose next week and snoop in west from Magdalena and report back.

willyAirstream - 12-18-2015 at 07:37 PM

who are you talking too? San Jose de Magdalena via Mission Guadalupe is blocked.

Gulliver - 12-18-2015 at 08:03 PM

I know that. And I told them that. That's why I'm going to explore the road from the Magdalena end. I would never hear the end of it if they made it though so I'd better be sure of my facts.

TMW - 12-18-2015 at 08:15 PM

Thanks for the trip report and pictures, excellent. We did the San Isidro to Mulege in 2012 and San Raymundo in 2014. Hope to get back down there on them soon. Just don't know when, before NORRA maybe.

MulegeAL - 12-19-2015 at 09:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Gulliver  
I know that. And I told them that. That's why I'm going to explore the road from the Magdalena end. I would never hear the end of it if they made it though so I'd better be sure of my facts.


That should be fun! I got into the bottom of the box canyon just past the last corral on the right, dropped into the riverbed and only got another 100 yards or so. Hiked up another 100 yds or so, was hot and steep, no go for mo-tow. My waypoint there is about 5/8 mile airline from the one I got on the top of the box canyon. Tough section, even for a baja goat!

Suggestion: try the side "road" east to rancho El Gato, I haven't done that since Odile passed through, makes a loop out of it. Is a 2 to 4WD bushwack that weaves over the low pass between your road of interest and rancho El Gato, which is just off the road into the cave paintings.

I lead motoG thru there in '14. So if he can get through, anybody can! :lol:

KurtG - 12-19-2015 at 10:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  

Kurt.. you and Al and Ged would get along great. We will have to set up a meet.

Yes, I look forward to meeting them, Its pretty clear that Al and Gulliver have off road riding skills that surpass mine. Kathy and I were really lucky in our timing when we drove through from San Isidro to Mulege in March 2012. There were spots that made me a little nervous in our Explorer with street tires and we were just one vehicle. Nonetheless we were both really glad we did the trip, the scenery was incredible. Especially the views at mile 37 southbound looking straight down into that deep gorge.

I was in Mulege briefly end of Oct but wasn't feeling well so headed back home. Very likely will ride down again in late Jan and then Kathy and I will be doing another Spring 4wd camping trip probably just after Semana Santa. I will look you up.

Before Modern Roads... in 1962

David K - 12-19-2015 at 10:58 AM






To get to Mission Guadalupe required a mule ride south from San Sebastián on El Camino Real. The switchback mission trail can be seen on Google Earth.

MulegeAL - 12-19-2015 at 03:09 PM

Sounds good, yeah, we should meetup in late Jan and go look for some more of these too...
Just takes a sharp eye and dumb luck!

BigBearRider - 12-19-2015 at 03:41 PM

Very cool! I'm heading down next week, but don't expect to see any real off-road action with my wife and son in tow.

willyAirstream - 12-20-2015 at 02:33 PM
Quote:

Do you or anyone else know a good spot where it would be likely to see a roadrunner?


I have been trying to get a foto of a roadrunner, but no luck yet. Look closely, they are on most dirt roads.

Gulliver - 12-20-2015 at 05:28 PM

Saw one today Out West of San José de Magdalena but he was, well . . ., running!

David K - 1-2-2018 at 11:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  
Mulege-San Juanico-La Purisima-Paso Honda-Mulege trip album 43 pics.
Extra Lap Al on a Honda 600XR and I left Friday and took our time to San Juanico, 4 hrs with stops of about an hour. Camped on the beach and meet 2 different parties from my hometown in

Mass, a tiny fishing village. Amazing small world. Got a late start and headed for La Purisima, then back to Mulege via Paso Honda, the hard way, to say the least. Climbed over two mountains of

3700 ft from sea level and it was treacherous! Got back to Mulege in one piece about 4pm. Coming back this way revealed amazing sights from oasis, deep canyons, 60 ft cactus, water holes

and beautiful valleys. It was a true adventure over those mountains. The pics don't tell the whole story - steep! twisty narrow rock strewn trails ( not really roads), land slides, rock slides, hugh tire

eating holes, no way to turn around, no way to back down, just go for it and make No mistakes. We had done one of those mtns last october and thought that would be easier than the first and it

was , but only slightly. It was 10 times more difficult than in Oct. Things change quickly here. Enjoy the ride, I did !
more pics on my facebook - zgdesign


Packed and ready to roll




Heading out Ice House Rd to San Juanico


all roads from ice house road are recently graded to the base of the mountains




San Juanico












Heading to La Purisisma






Road is a freeway from LP to Paso Honda, then it is a trecherous climb over 2 mountains. Shoebox size rocks 2 ft deep up one side, small slippery rocks and gravel going down. The next

mountaion was full of dirt and rock slides. High clearance, crawling low gear, good tires is a must. Not for the faint hearted.








This is coming down the first mtn, arrow denotes the road. It looks easy, but it was a b-tch.




Last descent and we will be home! Great trip!


Richard, can you make all the photos you had here available fior viewing again?

willyAirstream - 1-2-2018 at 11:43 AM

David K...These fotos were hot linked to my FB images. FB has now denied that access. You can still see the fotos in the FB album here

https://www.facebook.com/zgdesign/media_set?set=a.1015203606...

can be seen by anyone, on or off FB

David K - 1-2-2018 at 11:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  
David K...These fotos were hot linked to my FB images. FB has now denied that access. You can still see the fotos in the FB album here

https://www.facebook.com/zgdesign/media_set?set=a.1015203606...

can be seen by anyone, on or off FB


Thank you... After MulegeAL saw my map with the road to Paso Hondo included, I made an edit as I guess the grade is washed out. Kurt G drove in 2012 and then I saw your post of 2015, so the washout was in the last two years?

DouglasP - 11-2-2018 at 10:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  
David K...These fotos were hot linked to my FB images. FB has now denied that access. You can still see the fotos in the FB album here

https://www.facebook.com/zgdesign/media_set?set=a.1015203606...

can be seen by anyone, on or off FB


Hey Willy, the link doesn't work for me. Really interested to see your photos. Just did a loop from Mulege to San Juanico via San Raymundo. Then back to Mulege via La Purisima.

willyAirstream - 11-2-2018 at 12:33 PM

Link still works for me. If you are still having troubles, go to
https://www.facebook.com/zgdesign
then photos>albums and you will see the trip report

note the date... this is not current info

David K - 11-2-2018 at 01:32 PM

It also just worked for me. Takes you to Richard's album for just that trip

https://www.facebook.com/zgdesign/media_set?set=a.1015203606...

DouglasP - 11-2-2018 at 02:04 PM

Super weird, must be my open hatred for face book.
Still doesn't work.

David K - 11-2-2018 at 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DouglasP  
Super weird, must be my open hatred for face book.
Still doesn't work.


Maybe because I have Facebook accounts (for my Baja Mission book discussion and a personal one)?

They are photos of the road, signs, a little girl, etc.