BajaNomad

Kayak trip from Bahia de los Angeles to Santa Rosalia

Pacifico - 10-2-2015 at 05:30 PM

U2U sent....

woody with a view - 10-2-2015 at 05:44 PM

he means look for the "U2U" on the top right of each page and click it.

BajaRat - 10-2-2015 at 06:25 PM

Time of year........ wind intensity and direction considerations
Have fun, post pics please and welcome to Baja Nomads :cool:

TMW - 10-2-2015 at 06:43 PM

There are lots of people in El Barril, I'm sure it would not be hard to find someone willing to keep your vehicle for a small fee.

Pescador - 10-3-2015 at 08:24 AM

I have done that trip and would not suggest Jan or Feb unless that is the only time you have available. We get serious north winds during that time of the year and I have seen Kayak groups get grounded and unable to put to sea for days on end. Fall or Spring is a much better time. From San Fransisquito to about Punta Prieta you have long sections with not much for protected landing area. Again, I do not know your level of competence but I was a very accomplished whitewater boater with lots of Class V water and had a very effective roll so surfing ocean waves was a non issue. I also used a closed deck boat with knee braces built in.
Weather reports are not very good for that area with VHF. Marine band has good reports when the cruising season is going strong, but you usually will not find a lot of cruisers in Jan and Feb. Also, you might want to consider a Spot tracking device which will give someone on a computer a continual update as to location. You can also send out an emergency signal if you get into trouble.

StuckSucks - 10-3-2015 at 10:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Pescador  
Also, you might want to consider a Spot tracking device which will give someone on a computer a continual update as to location. You can also send out an emergency signal if you get into trouble.


REALLY good idea. People back home can see where you are and that you're moving. You can send "I'm OK" emails or texts, or summon The Man to come get you if you're in trouble. Since this works with satellites, it works anywhere in the world that you have a clear view of the sky.

Here's an example of what SPOT displays:


BigBearRider - 10-3-2015 at 03:24 PM

"Since this works with satellites, it works anywhere in the world that you have a clear view of the sky."

That's what I thought too. It worked great on Kilimanjaro a few years ago. My wife got constant updates. It did not work at all in the Serengeti, although I got the "message delivered" signal from the device. My wife freaked out when she didn't get any messages for a weak and thought I had been eaten by a lion. Turns out the coverage was not reliable in that area.

Having said that, I have found that the Spot works great in Baja and elsewhere North America.

bajabuddha - 10-3-2015 at 05:16 PM

I agree on your pick of timing; anywhere on the coast of the SOC in those months you can have a 'norther' blow, and for days... and weeks.. at time. My clocked record for miserable winds was 13 days non-stop, so looking maybe a little farther south would be good. Another stretch would be Loreto to Agua Verde also. Mulegé south is a good bet too, you do have a few early take-it-out options (if you have proper vehicles) if you want to bail early. Buena Suerte, and keep the wet-side down.

edit added: you have enough time to pick up a leeeetle Espagnol. Check with your local high school/adult edu. sites.... a 6 week course in 'conversational' would be helpful, just sayin'.


[Edited on 10-4-2015 by bajabuddha]

ElCap - 10-3-2015 at 06:07 PM

You could likely leave your vehicle at Beto Lucero's property, which is at the small north-facing cove at Punta San Francisquito. He might charge you a token fee? He's a great guy, and speaks perfect English. U2U me for his contact info.
I've been wanting to do that trip by kayak myself - have done it a few times by boat. There are definitely some stretches of more than a few kms. with no landing spots - you could Google Earth it and probably get a good idea of the cliff areas? Also, you'll likely be loaded down with as much water as you can carry - this will make your boat very heavy but also very stable. If you do end up dumping it I don't think you'll be rolling out of it, even if you were Pescador:D

bkbend - 10-3-2015 at 10:48 PM

A portable pump desalinator will reduce the amount of water you will need to carry. Invaluable in the SoC. You can make the next day's water while you're hunkered down each afternoon.

Marc - 10-4-2015 at 08:17 AM

Look at the morning sky to the north. Low stratus clouds and mist will tell you to be off the water by mid day.

AndyP - 10-4-2015 at 05:38 PM

I paddled that stretch Spring of 2014. It's very pretty, and definitely felt more isolated and rugged than the Mulege-La Paz run. The water is colder and there are bigger tides and currents than further south, especially in the midriff area. The waves can get big sometimes, and the wind can come up fast and goes from zero to dangerous very quickly on occasion. That happens down south also, though. All in all though we had mellow trip, but it was later in the spring; we did have several periods too windy to paddle, and from what I hear winters can be brutally windy for many days at a time. We carried enough water that we only resupplied once, at San Francisquito (where there is also cold beer available...:cool:). From what I remember there and El Baril are about the only reliable water sources. I don't think I would attempt the trip in winter without a desalinator just in case of getting pinned down for a week. Make sure you really respect the wind and be conservative about going out/heading for shore.

I stored my car at a campground in Bahia de Los Angeles (just ask around and someone will definitely help you out for some pesos... I'd expect it would be easy enough in El Baril or wherever also) and when we finished I took the bus back to the highway junction and hitched from there into town- no bus does that section.

Mulege or Loreto to La Paz definitely feels like a mellower stretch to me, and is prettier in some ways. As you mention there are more water sources, but you still have potentially major wind issues to consider in the winter. If you do that stretch the last 50 miles to La Paz are mostly roadside and north-exposed; I did it once and won't again if I don't have to... this last trip we paddled to San Evaristo and just turned around and paddled back to Loreto, which we could only do because the wind was cooperating. Outfitters in La Paz will also pick you up if you pre-arrange it.

I strongly recommend Dave Eckardt's book, The Guide to Baja Sea Kayaking. http://paddlepublishing.com/ It will have a lot of info you'll want.

Let me know if you have specific questions.

Pescador - 10-4-2015 at 05:40 PM

Water is a serious problem on that route and there are some wells used by ranchers and some small residential areas, but the water is questionable at best. I used a portable filter that I used backpacking but most of the water I carried. If it is blowing like stink, you will find it blows almost all day and night. When the Santa Ana winds are howling it can be impossible to paddle. Landings refer more to a stretch that does not have big swells pounding the land. If they are coming in at an angle, it is dangerous to try to land because you have a strong surge, rip back out an another angle, and if the boat gets sideways, you are going to be laying over.
Here is another good question? If you have an injury, like a serious cut from landing and need to be evacuated, how do you think that might happen. The SPOT is a good thing, but in those winds, and as much as I would like to help, I am not coming up the coast for 90 miles in a pounding sea.
Also, there is a phenomenon that shows about half way from Punta Prieta to San Fransisquito called "Los Elephantes" which is a weird catabolic wind that blows from the west and can throw up a 10 ft sea in a matter of minutes. Even though this mostly happens at night, I have seen occasions where it occurred during the day and is unbelievable in it's intensity.
NOLS from Lander, Wyoming does this section but they wait until the spring when we have a major change in the wind patterns. That would be my recommendation to you as well.
If you have only that time frame, I would suggest you think about the section from Kino Bay to San Carlos on the mainland. The water is about the same, only on the east side of the Sea of Cortez. There are more settlements in the area and a greater number of landings. The swell is more manageable there and you can exit in the event of an emergency. Actually the scenery and experience is preferable on that side as well. But whatever you decide, Buena Suerte or Good Luck.

bajabuddha - 10-5-2015 at 06:10 PM

El Nortes are a very predictable wind in your time frame, and I think from all the posts you have a good idea what to expect. Also a former whitewater guide (Cataract Canyon, 70k OOPS! [edit] 78k... we just called it 80k.cu.ft. 1983 etc) the farther you are from help, the higher the rating of the run due to isolation i.e. the OLD Bio Bio. a Class III can be a Class V if you screw up, even a Class VI, like the 700' container ship that just disappeard in Joaquin this week. I'd be looking for another route that time of year; save this one for another time, another group (or same), and safer trip. Tambien, Buena Suerte.

[Edited on 10-6-2015 by bajabuddha]

woody with a view - 10-5-2015 at 06:23 PM

learn to predict (wherever you get your weather info) when a Santa Ana sets up over the Southwest. Think high pressure which builds right after a low pressure front moves thru. after a low blows across the SW a wind is going to blow from the north for a couple of days. if you time it right, you're golden.

someone tell him about the west winds that come up and will blow him to the mainland....

[Edited on 10-6-2015 by woody with a view]

bajabuddha - 10-5-2015 at 06:46 PM

OOH! OOH! Everyone complained of the northers on the Bahia, especially the Cottage Cheese Campers (El Requeson folks) until we got a west wind that flipped two of their inflatables and wreaked total havoc on their beach.. La Perla just got a little sand.... Enero y Febrero muy malo por viento.

However, with all due respect, no such thing as 'bad weather'..... just bad clothing. At least, when you're young (er). ;)

hombre66 - 10-5-2015 at 09:39 PM

Might want to read "Wind,Water,Sun" by Ed Darack. Long, hairy kayak trip started north of San Felipe.

windgrrl - 10-6-2015 at 05:01 AM

When highs start dropping over the 4 corners (Nov. thru Feb.) http://www.navajonationparks.org/htm/fourcorners.htm,
wind can be expected.

Local conditions (terrain, gradients, thermals, etc.) are important. The local fisherman know the forecast most days.

tyguypb - 10-8-2015 at 07:42 AM

if you decide to postpone this trip till the spring or fall. and you are looking for another able bodied kayaker, let me know. I am an experienced sea kayak guide and would love to paddle this route. but i will be gone working in Chile all winter :(

David K - 10-8-2015 at 08:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
Might want to read "Wind,Water,Sun" by Ed Darack. Long, hairy kayak trip started north of San Felipe.





Add to all this good information: epic El Niño predicted

Whale-ista - 10-8-2015 at 08:55 AM

You've received a lot of good information and suggestions from knowledgeable people here. I would add that the large El Niño being predicted could also impact your trip.

The aforementioned winds and currents will be influenced by El Niño. Also, with heavy rains, flooding is likely this year, and there are places along the highway that may be impassable, possibly for days. The arroyos fill quickly and stop all traffic on the single highway that connects Baja Sur to the north.

So to be safe, add those possibilities to your agenda. High winds, heavy rains and flooding could delay land transportation, impact communications, etc.

On the bright side: rains mean more freshwater in some places!


jaymtb - 10-14-2015 at 03:25 PM

Hi,
Have kayaked LA Bay to Sta Rosalia 3 times, two of them in Jan Feb, one of those Jan Feb trips was from San Felipe to Loreto.
Yes, the weather can be rough, a more serious trip than say- November. You will have big eyes at times, as they say.
Immersion gear should be worn for the colder water. You should be good at paddle dexterity- ie being able to flow from any paddle stroke to a low and/or high brace. Obviously better to stay up than get up. Landing/launching in swells take more skill and timing.
It will also be hard to position for a partner rescue in the rough water.

A roll is good, but rolling a loaded kayak is different from an empty one, due to the rotational inertia. You have to hang longer while you start the boat rotating with your hips- try it. Water bags should be packed on the bottom, with lighter stuff on top. Then the hull will be somewhat unstable when inverted.
It helps a lot to be able to know the trend of Northers, ie-when a high is going to be parked over the Great Basin. I have done this with a small SSB shortwave receiver, listening to the cruising nets. This allows you to try to get into a better position before/after a blow. Some nets, especially evening nets, are fading away in efectiveness. Sonrisanet is still going - about 1330 UTC ?-check schedules, note freq variation with interference.
sonrisanet.org
With the Delorme sat units someone could send you text wx info from net sources.
More Mexican panga fishermen have VHF radios, with 4 cycles and batteries- as well a more shore stations. However, in bad WX they may not be out, and of course they speak very little English. Sailboats have high VHF whips, and may be listening when at anchor. A VHF will get better coverage if you can climb a hill.
For shuttle, we have either moved the truck to Sta Rosalia before leaving, or left it in LA Bay, versus Pta San Fran. LA Bay has good transport access.
The north-facing part of Bahia San Rafael can be a bad place to land if northers are blowing- dumping swells. There are other points to position oneself strategically in order to pass early in the morning. There are also some go/no go points where landings are not possible for some distance.
The cooler weather is better for hiking or fishing if wind keeps you on the beach.
Cheers,
Jay

wilderone - 10-15-2015 at 08:18 AM

"if you decide to postpone this trip till the spring or fall. and you are looking for another able bodied kayaker, let me know. I am an experienced sea kayak guide and would love to paddle this route. but i will be gone working in Chile all winter"
If you decide to postpone the trip, and the sea kayak guide goes along, and you don't mind an experienced (but rusty and slower) paddler along, I'd sure like to go.

jaymtb - 10-16-2015 at 04:48 PM

Pls check U2U for more