BajaNomad

Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs: A Look Back (Oct. 2008)

David K - 12-17-2015 at 11:48 AM

I think this was our last time camping there at Arturo's Campo #1. We had campsite La Jolla-B and Hotschott and Val were at La Paloma. Nobody else there. Took some photos also of campsites La Jolla-A and San Marcos.

Very disappointing that these superb, private sites were not all maintained after Arturo Loya was "bought-out" following a lifetime of operating that campground, established by his father. I think the new owner has a couple of them available. It would be nice to get a full report of the canyon's three camp areas and their several campsites within.


Baja Nomad 'Hotschott' shows off the tub at La Paloma.


The palapa at La Paloma


The tub at La Jolla-A


The palapa at La Jolla-A


La Jolla-B has two palapas, this one is the dining room and kitchen!


This one is the bedroom at La Jolla-B!


Baja Angel really enjoyed camping here!


The hot tub was terrific!


Campsite San Marcos


La Jolla-B from the rocks around San Marcos (Laguna Salada in the distance)


The tub at San Marcos


In the San Marcos palapa


Maybe the only outhouse in Baja with a flushing toilet that flushes with hot water?!


The warm water swimming pool at Arturo's Campo #1.


Heading up the road towards Arturo's home.




One of the larger campsite's driveways. Ken Cooke's Jeep group used this one back in June 2003.


Arturo's dad saw the rock pinnacle to the left of the tall peak and it looks like Mexico's Virgen of Guadalupe.

What made Arturo's campground unique (besides the hot water tubs built into and with the natural rocks) was their privacy. Nearly all were totally private using the boulders between and topography of the canyon.

The water was well over 100ºF, even though it was piped many hundreds of feet from the source spring. Each tub had a garden hose with a valve off the main line to permit keeping the tub at a constant hot temperature. Spraying the water a bit in the air and letting the drops fall into the water, cooled the tub if it was too hot.

More Guadalupe Canyon trip photos:
Jan. 2008: http://vivabaja.com/108/
Sept. 2006: http://vivabaja.com/906/
April 2005: http://vivabaja.com/405/

GPS (for Google Earth or driving):
GPS DIRECTIONS TO GUADALUPE (WGS84)

Graded Road at Mexico #2: N32°34.33' W115°47.40'
Dry Lake Road at Mexico #2: N32°34.57' W115°44.67'
Jcn. Graded and Dry Lake Roads: N32°13.06' W115°42.29'
Entrance Guadalupe Campo #1: N32°09.40' W115°47.33'

4x4abc - 12-17-2015 at 01:50 PM

never liked that site - bad vibes (whatever that is)
went there as early as 1986

I preferred El Palomar (even though I had to dig half a day to build a new pool)

David K - 12-17-2015 at 02:31 PM

In addition to Arturo's Campo #1 (photos above), his brother, Angel ran the camp above/past Arturo's and it (as well as the camp on the south side of the canyon) had none of the privacy and ambiance of ARTURO'S private camp sites. To me, that made all the difference in the world. I once camped at Angel's (Arturos's was full) and would not pay to camp there again... or even camp for free with the noise and lack of privacy.

Jeep club run to Baja Feb. 2005 [Guadalupe Canyon & Baja Pole Line Road]

Ken Cooke - 12-17-2015 at 04:01 PM

February 2005 with the Rubicon Owners of California & JustRuns 4WDC of San Diego :bounce:






Unpacking at Guadalupe Canyon - February 2005




"HOLA!" from atop the white water tank

David K - 12-17-2015 at 05:09 PM

Have any photos of the 2003 trip with my son and I going with you to the bottom of Mano Canyon?

David K - 6-4-2016 at 07:53 PM

Almost 8 years since we enjoyed camping at Guadalupe Canyon with Hotschott and Val.

It was a real great get-away, 3-4 hours from home, clean-hot spring water (no sulphur stink), and a great canyon campsite.







Barry A. - 6-5-2016 at 10:20 AM

I think the first of many multi-night visits to Guadalupe Canyon camp was in '59, and we thought it was a piece of Heaven. Even then the large warm-water swimming hole was there, as well as several concrete-lined natural "hot tubs" near the actual springs, and we most often had the place to ourselves other than the proprietor and his wife and kids. At least half the time nobody was there at all. We went in a 2-wheel drive '47 Chevy pickup, and there were no problems with the road-in other than it being rocky and rough. Also, if you hiked up the canyon about a mile, or 2, there was a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole at it's base. What more could one ask for?

David K - 6-5-2016 at 02:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.  
I think the first of many multi-night visits to Guadalupe Canyon camp was in '59, and we thought it was a piece of Heaven. Even then the large warm-water swimming hole was there, as well as several concrete-lined natural "hot tubs" near the actual springs, and we most often had the place to ourselves other than the proprietor and his wife and kids. At least half the time nobody was there at all. We went in a 2-wheel drive '47 Chevy pickup, and there were no problems with the road-in other than it being rocky and rough. Also, if you hiked up the canyon about a mile, or 2, there was a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole at it's base. What more could one ask for?


Do you have any photos from the old days?

Barry A. - 6-5-2016 at 03:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.  
I think the first of many multi-night visits to Guadalupe Canyon camp was in '59, and we thought it was a piece of Heaven. Even then the large warm-water swimming hole was there, as well as several concrete-lined natural "hot tubs" near the actual springs, and we most often had the place to ourselves other than the proprietor and his wife and kids. At least half the time nobody was there at all. We went in a 2-wheel drive '47 Chevy pickup, and there were no problems with the road-in other than it being rocky and rough. Also, if you hiked up the canyon about a mile, or 2, there was a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole at it's base. What more could one ask for?


Do you have any photos from the old days?


Not that I remember, David. I was never much of a "photo-taker".

David K - 6-5-2016 at 03:26 PM

Then you must continue to paint us pictures with your memories, please.