BajaNomad

Easily accessible cave paintings?

Gele - 4-27-2016 at 08:42 AM

Hello, we are planning a vacation in Baja Sur and are looking for easily accessible nice cave paintings (showing people or animals). We found some daytours including hikes. Are there possibilities to visit cave paintings with a short hike on our own without booking a daytour?
Thanks in advance! Thomas

toronja - 4-27-2016 at 08:57 AM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36856

BigBearRider - 4-27-2016 at 09:18 AM

Not in BCS, but the most easily accessible cave paintings are probably in Catavina. Just a short 5 minute walk from the 1. I was there Friday. Well worth the stop.

micah202 - 4-27-2016 at 09:30 AM

.

....the museum in San Ignatio :cool: ;)

David K - 4-27-2016 at 10:28 AM

In Baja Sur, the San Borjitas site, west of Hwy. 1 at Palo Verde (a few miles north of Mulegé) may be perfect. Search 'Borjitas' on Nomad for many posts, photos, etc.

4x4abc - 4-27-2016 at 10:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by micah202  
.

....the museum in San Ignatio :cool: ;)



perfect choice!

4x4abc - 4-27-2016 at 10:52 AM

there are some great books - you don't even have to go through the trouble of leaving home. Beer and soda in the fridge, the bathroom just the way you like it, fast internet, AC.
Baja is much too rough.

Did you consider Disneyland?

BigBearRider - 4-27-2016 at 11:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
In Baja Sur, the San Borjitas site, west of Hwy. 1 at Palo Verde (a few miles north of Mulegé) may be perfect. Search 'Borjitas' on Nomad for many posts, photos, etc.


Funny enough, this wasn't my first thought even though it is the one that is the closest to "home" in Punta Chivato. I've seen the signs just north of Palo Verde, but have never been there. I understand it's about an hour or two from the HWY?

David K - 4-27-2016 at 11:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
In Baja Sur, the San Borjitas site, west of Hwy. 1 at Palo Verde (a few miles north of Mulegé) may be perfect. Search 'Borjitas' on Nomad for many posts, photos, etc.


Funny enough, this wasn't my first thought even though it is the one that is the closest to "home" in Punta Chivato. I've seen the signs just north of Palo Verde, but have never been there. I understand it's about an hour or two from the HWY?


It's way back in there, I have not been either, but the Nomad photos and description is great. Do the search, Borjitas... one Nomad and the Baja Almanac topo calls it San Borja, but it isn't the mission near L.A. Bay he is sharing.





[Edited on 4-27-2016 by David K]

chuckie - 4-27-2016 at 12:08 PM

Last time I was in there, couple years ago, road was rough lotsa rocks. You must go the ranch, and get a person to take you in. Long walk but nice...Paintings were in poor condition, much degraded from the first time I went in...Small fee...But worth it...See em if you can, like all the good stuff in Baja, fading fast...

David K - 4-27-2016 at 03:37 PM

From moose29, May 2015: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=78816

BigBearRider - 4-27-2016 at 04:08 PM

Thanks for posting the link. A search for "Borjitas" didn't net the post!

David K - 4-27-2016 at 04:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider  
Thanks for posting the link. A search for "Borjitas" didn't net the post!

The Nomad SEARCH can be tricky... make sure you click on ALL FORUMS, unless you know it is in a certain forum...


Here is what 'Borjitas' gave me just now (15 links):


Search

*Thanks for posting the link. A search for "Borjitas" didn't net the post! 4-27-2016 at 03:08 PM
by: BigBearRider


*Road to San Borja Baja Sur. December 2015
... r on that road, just to El Perdido. I recall all the signage from Highway One in calls the site SAN Borjitas ? 12-26-2015 at 10:35 AM
by: David K


*Punta Chivato, Cave Paintings, Mulege, Paddle bording (more pictures added)
... ruins driving out from Palo Verde to just past Rancho El Perdido, then left the signed road to San Borjitas... I wondered how the cave site looked. 5-13-2015 at 06:02 AM
by: David K


*cave paiting at mulege
... ed or available. The 'primary' Mulege area sites are La Trinidad (west and south from town) and San Borjitas (north and west, then south from town). To enjoy Baja properly, you should have a quality 4 ... 2-18-2014 at 03:53 PM
by: David K


*Cave Paintings
... think you need to allow for three days for a minimum tour...?

The Mulege area sites include San Borjitas (northwest of Mulege) and La Trinidad (southwest of Mulege)...

Try the search using thes ... 12-19-2013 at 02:28 PM
by: David K


*Mulegé Cave Painting Toura
San Borjitas is the site close to Mulege, along with La Trinidad...

Cueva Flechas and Pintada are nor ... 12-5-2013 at 01:36 PM
by: David K


*Cave Paintings
'San Borjitas' cave are site is near Mulege, despite it sounding like San Borja. The cave art near San Bo ... 12-2-2013 at 05:02 PM
by: David K


*Rare 1926 photos of missions, Indians, more...
... 1-241

Riding the Camino Real:
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/davis/collection/8817050-93

San Borjitas painted cave near Mulege:
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/davis/collection/op-14961-413

... 11-18-2013 at 03:19 PM
by: David K


*Adios, Guadalupe
... uadalupe, the pass through the mountains, the canyon, past San Jerónimo (turnoff to Uña de Gato/San Borjitas) onward to San José de Magdalena and Highway 1. Leaving at 8 a.m. we planned to have lunch ... 4-13-2013 at 01:51 PM
by: elfbrewery


*visiting cave paintings
... e dating (some overlapping to bolster results of others). The oldest tested to 7,500 YBP at the San Borjitas cave.

Don't know what the future finds will hold but I think the paint places were plac ... 3-25-2013 at 07:41 AM
by: monoloco


*HWY. 1, 3, 5, 19 + KILOMETER MARKERS: Share Yours!
...

[IMG]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc212/DavidKier/709/709299.jpg[/IMG ]

This is the San Borjitas road, west from Palo Verde (north of Mulege). 4-7-2011 at 01:45 PM
by: bryanmckenzie


*Old road to Palo Verde
... how far to the paintings from here,? on my last trip we went to La Trinidad and wanted to go to San Borjitas but i run out time..

The San Borjitas cave art is on Rancho San Baltizar (guide ... 12-21-2010 at 10:58 AM
by: David K


*San Jose de Magdalena, Rancho San Sebastian, Rancho Uña de Gato
... he prickly poppies to cheer us up. At last we found the big rancho (1 km west of the Palo Verde-San Borjitas Rd) with just an older gentleman sitting out back. Very pleasant man. Then we turned right ... 3-11-2010 at 11:23 AM
by: elfbrewery


*anyone been to the cave paintings SE of San Ignacio?
... 118 (of Harry's newer cave book) of this region... which site are you interested in?

I see San Borjitas Norte, San Antonio, La Candelaria... or any of those?

Nomad 'Cristobal' has spent time i ... 2-23-2010 at 04:11 PM
by: David K


*El Vikingo
Originally posted by Baja4Rnr
David K - I would be glad to tell you more about San Borjitas. Let me get my old pictures and I'll post them later. As you may know, especially if you ... 1-29-2010 at 07:02 PM
by: KurtG

BigBearRider - 4-27-2016 at 05:04 PM

Thanks, David. User error on my part.

BajaBlanca - 4-27-2016 at 05:23 PM

Gele - if you want a nice car ride to get there and then a small cave painting that was described by Harry Crosby as "a small but choice" selection of paintings, then head up to San Francisco and pay a small fee to visit CUEVA DEL RATON.

It is south of Vizcaino at km 115 - head east from highway 1.

It is so close to the road, and "more of an overhang" than a cave, but it is impressive and the drive up is just gorgeous as well.

My sister went with a guide from San Ignacio and they got to see petroglyphs on the drive up.

David K - 4-27-2016 at 05:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider  
Thanks, David. User error on my part.


No problema amigo... it's just that I've been here since this site went online, I have more experience with its workings than anyone, other than Doug, the creator.

mooose29 - 4-27-2016 at 10:46 PM

Gele

The cave paintings and trip out to them outside of Palo Verde are well worth the trip. We had river crossings, swimming in the river, ranch visits, a relatively short hike, and cool cave paintings. David K posted the link to my report but feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Gele - 4-28-2016 at 04:17 AM

Thanks a lot for your suggestions and links. This helps a lot!


@ 4x4abc: I asked for easy access, because I'm travelling with a disabled family member who would be happy to get out and get the chance to see the paintings. Your comment about better drinking beer at home is just inappropriate.

JohnMcfrog - 4-28-2016 at 06:49 AM

Three weeks ago my brother and I hiked Chichi de La India, a few hours southeast of Tecate. I had done some looking around the web for interesting things to do in and about La Rumarosa, the small town just before the drop into the desert from the tablelands.

One of the links that came up was a Reader article on the pictographs at the site "El Vallecito", which is oddly enough at the Vallecito/La Rumarosa turnoff. Talk about an easy access:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2003/may/08/discover-pict...

It is open Wednesday thru Sunday and requires a small fee for the guide and access. It is only about an hour and a half from Tecate, toward the east on Highway 2. Unfortunately, my brother and I didn't know it was closed on Tuesday. I usually try to only go across the Tecate border on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to avoid traffic.

Here are a couple more links to the site and some pictures of the art. The ground seemed pretty hard around the gate and the trails well marked. I thing you could get a wheel chair around some of the area with sufficient manpower.

(general info)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Vallecito

(academic plus pictures)
https://scahome.org/publications/proceedings/Proceedings.23B...

I have been to many pictograph sites in the US and Baja. I visited one in Owens Valley last week while there still was a snow load in the White Mountains, just north of Bishop on highway 6. It is called the Fish Slough site and if you PM me, I'll give you directions. Most of the good ones are close to parking.





small petroglyphs and the White Mountains (Small).JPG - 150kB small fish slough petroglyphs (Small).JPG - 207kB

[Edited on 4-28-2016 by JohnMcfrog]

BajaMama - 4-28-2016 at 07:24 AM

I just reserved with guide Salvador Castro Drew to visit La Trinidad. He charges US $50 per person, cost to enter ranch is $100 pesos per person. Legally you are not supposed to visit sites without a guide. I have never been and I hear Senior Salvador does a fabulous tour which includes an orchard, plant education, lunch, drinks, a boat over the swampy parts... he will meet you in Mulegé at the arch. Let me know if you want his info, you can also find it on the internet.

4x4abc - 4-28-2016 at 07:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Gele  
Thanks a lot for your suggestions and links. This helps a lot!


@ 4x4abc: I asked for easy access, because I'm travelling with a disabled family member who would be happy to get out and get the chance to see the paintings. Your comment about better drinking beer at home is just inappropriate.



I apologize!

shari - 4-28-2016 at 07:50 AM

I believe that Cueva Raton in la Sierra de San Fransisco just south of Vizcaino has ramps for wheel chair access...and the drive up the mountains alone is stunning!!!

wilderone - 5-29-2016 at 10:02 AM

There are a lot of pictographs and petroglyphs near the San Fernando mission in several places. One especially nice panel is near the end of the little side road - get to the square cistern (see pictos on the rocks at that end) - walk across the arroyo, climb up the little cliff, and look at all the large rocks. You'll spy an impressive panel. There may be more around there as well.
and kinda off the beaten path, but the Las Pintas archaeological site is an impressive area.

David K - 5-29-2016 at 11:48 AM

In all my visits to the San Fernando petroglyph cliff (since my first time in 1974), I have never gone past it to see the pila (square cistern) or look for any other petro/picto sites there. Baja is a land the keeps on giving, indeed!

David K - 6-14-2016 at 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
There are a lot of pictographs and petroglyphs near the San Fernando mission in several places. One especially nice panel is near the end of the little side road - get to the square cistern (see pictos on the rocks at that end) - walk across the arroyo, climb up the little cliff, and look at all the large rocks. You'll spy an impressive panel. There may be more around there as well.
and kinda off the beaten path, but the Las Pintas archaeological site is an impressive area.


2005:


2003:




1974:








Bajaboy - 6-14-2016 at 05:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
Gele - if you want a nice car ride to get there and then a small cave painting that was described by Harry Crosby as "a small but choice" selection of paintings, then head up to San Francisco and pay a small fee to visit CUEVA DEL RATON.

It is south of Vizcaino at km 115 - head east from highway 1.

It is so close to the road, and "more of an overhang" than a cave, but it is impressive and the drive up is just gorgeous as well.

My sister went with a guide from San Ignacio and they got to see petroglyphs on the drive up.


Blanca beat me to it. I highly recommend the cave and the drive. It's absolutely beautiful up there.

citybiker - 12-10-2017 at 08:46 AM

Hi, I am looking for a guide to take a few people up to see the paintings at La Trinidad. I have spoken with Salvador Castro Drew already; are there any other tour guides besides him that can take us to those paintings? I heard of Ciro Cuesta, but I have not been able to reach him at the Cuesta Real Hotel.

TIA,

Windsor

joerover - 12-11-2017 at 12:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
Quote: Originally posted by micah202  
.

....the museum in San Ignatio :cool: ;)



perfect choice!


Did they reopen the museum ?