BajaNomad - San Pedro Martir

San Pedro Martir

AndyP - 6-16-2014 at 01:41 PM

The early June heat on the Sea of Cortez was getting oppressive, so on the way north we were excited to head to elevation and see a new place for us, the San Pedro Martir national park. It was an easy paved drive but with some steep grades that forced us into second gear in the old pickup.

We'd purchased "passports" for kayaking to the islands in the Cortez, and they worked for entry to the park also so we didn't have to pay anything. Just checked in and found a great campsite in the pines. It was cool and beautiful, and utterly different than anywhere I'd seen in Baja.

We drove up to the observatory where Carlos showed us around. He spoke English and was a great guy, he's a warehouse manager but really enjoys getting to show tourists around. He was knowledgeable and proud of the observatory, which he says has the third best observing conditions of any facility in the world, behind some in Hawaii and Chile.

California Condors are being reintroduced in the park, and we saw some hanging around the observatory area.

The park reminded me of the California Sierra Nevada, with lots of granite and pines. There were even aspen groves. Lots of small animals and deer around, and interesting birds.

The eastern edge of the park drops dramatically down to the coastal plains, which we were happy to be well above as they baked in the heat. We hiked to a viewpoint that had incredible views; they've constructed a metal viewing platform. You could see out past San Felipe, over the Cortez to the mainland side, as well as the Colorado Delta.

Another nearby viewpoint had great views of Picacho del Diablo, the tallest peak in Baja.

Really an incredible place, with no one there. We want to go back better prepared with topo maps and backpack around, maybe climb the peak. A special place that was a very easy side trip.

bajabuddha - 6-16-2014 at 01:52 PM

Spectacular shots~!! Q- Is that grade up as much of a sphincter-factor as the Questa del Infierno above Santa Rosalia?

AndyP - 6-16-2014 at 01:55 PM

Much steeper. Coming down even braking as much as I could with the engine I had to pull off to let the brakes cool off.

DENNIS - 6-16-2014 at 02:03 PM

Great fotos and trip report. Thanks.

One of those condors was gliding around my place yesterday. Beautiful to watch.

elgatoloco - 6-16-2014 at 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Great fotos and trip report. Thanks.

One of those condors was gliding around my place yesterday. Beautiful to watch.

http://cacondorconservation.org/did-you-see-a-california-con...

:cool:

bajabuddha - 6-16-2014 at 02:07 PM

Jayzus! So much for that idea... I jumped out of PERFECTLY GOOD aircraft when I was young, but somewhere along the line I became mortal. I have a hard enough time just making it to Mulege on TP-1 (the Toilet-Paper Highway) any more. Say 'hi' (high) to El Picacho next time you get up there for me. That peak has always impressed the heck out of me, and i'm born and raised in mountain country. Again, great pics, especially the panoramas. Thanx.

JohnMcfrog - 6-16-2014 at 03:03 PM

Thanks for the great pictures and motivation to go back after doing the peak in almost another lifetime. At 70, probably won't do the peak again, but who knows? It was dirt road most of the way last time from Highway 1.

http://johnfrogsblog.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01...

[Edited on 6-16-2014 by JohnMcfrog]

[Edited on 6-16-2014 by JohnMcfrog]

[Edited on 6-16-2014 by JohnMcfrog]

JohnMcfrog - 6-16-2014 at 03:10 PM

Can't seem to get the link right. I am trying to reference the second post down. thanks Juanito

David K - 6-16-2014 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnMcfrog
Can't seem to get the link right. I am trying to reference the second post down. thanks Juanito

Blog with San Pedro Martir story

Just scroll down from the first story at this link! :light:

David K - 6-16-2014 at 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AndyP
Much steeper. Coming down even braking as much as I could with the engine I had to pull off to let the brakes cool off.

Great story and trip report Andy... Thank you! You found the air extra clear and got some great distance photos! It is so high, almost seems like you can see the curve of the earth up there!

Howard - 6-16-2014 at 06:42 PM

I have always wanted to go up there and make the left turn as I head South but never found the time. Now I have the time and will be heading South in mid October. A couple of questions.

I will be driving a large Ford 7.3 diesel dually with a very, very heavy cab over camper with 2 slide outs. Will I have trouble making it up the grades? I'll probably go up with a 1/2 tank of gas and less than a 1/2 tank of drinking water.

About how long is the driving time from the highway to the camping area?

How far is the observatory from the camping area?

Any other information would really be appreciated.

Thank you and peace out,

Howard

David K - 6-16-2014 at 08:14 PM

100 kilometers long and you go from near sea level to 9,280 feet. Camp is within a few miles of observatory. Brief hours for visitors midday at observatory.

mtgoat666 - 6-16-2014 at 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard
I have always wanted to go up there and make the left turn as I head South but never found the time. Now I have the time and will be heading South in mid October. A couple of questions.

I will be driving a large Ford 7.3 diesel dually with a very, very heavy cab over camper with 2 slide outs. Will I have trouble making it up the grades? I'll probably go up with a 1/2 tank of gas and less than a 1/2 tank of drinking water.

About how long is the driving time from the highway to the camping area?

How far is the observatory from the camping area?

Any other information would really be appreciated.

Thank you and peace out,

Howard

road up has long stretches of 7% grades. some short sections over 15% grade. your truck should be able to handle that, eh?
campground is right inside park entrance, and is about 1/2 hour from observatory.
park is an hour or 2 from hwy.
awesome drive, really pretty views all the way from hwy to park.
park is like the lagunas or southern sierras, minus all the people.

Ateo - 6-16-2014 at 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Exactamente!

ehall - 6-16-2014 at 09:31 PM

Quote:

I saw 2 small school buses at the observatory. You shouldn't have a problem. Be careful coming back down.

Howard - 6-16-2014 at 09:43 PM

Thanks for the feedback.

I will plan on going in October.

Gulliver - 6-16-2014 at 09:46 PM

I drove up there a couple of years ago in my 84 Ford E-150 Class B RV towing a fairly loaded up small cargo trailer. The van has 2.75-1 gears (tall) and I found that I had to park the trailer along the way. Wide open throttle in low range and loosing speed! Then no problem getting up. A park maintenance guy said that the trailer wouldn't be safe there and we jumped in his pickup and towed the trailer up to the top. No problem going down. No scary edges anywhere.

The campground I stayed at was only a couple of hundred yards from the observatory. Easy walk up.

I had business there (I'm an astronomer) and I completely missed out on that great lookout platform and didn't se any condors. You were sooo lucky!

TMW - 6-17-2014 at 08:19 AM

Thanks for the report. Excellent pictures.

J.P. - 6-17-2014 at 10:06 AM

SPECIAL PLACE. It's a easy day trip from Ensenada if you leave early, but take water,snacks,and ect. because there 's no services once you get there. :wow: