BajaNomad

Laguna Hanson

nbentley1 - 7-19-2017 at 09:37 AM

We are thinking about heading there this weekend. Its been on the list for a while. Any advice of things to do or see once we get there? Thanks

TMW - 7-19-2017 at 09:52 AM

It is a beautiful area. With all the winter rains there should be water in it. I was last thru there in June of 2016.

ehall - 7-19-2017 at 10:21 AM

Sawmill for a beer, casa verde for a beer, santa veronica for a beer and dinner.

del mar - 7-19-2017 at 10:34 AM

head up to rumorosa and back down compadre

Maderita - 7-19-2017 at 10:49 AM

Two weeks ago, the lake was about half full. Still lovely. The west side of the lake is where visitors from north and south roads arrive. Hence, more crowds and noise. Drive around to the east side of the lake for a somewhat quieter camping experience.
Are you driving south from La Rumorosa, or north from Ojos Negros? Grading was just completed on the 22 miles of dirt road between La Rumorosa and Rancho el Topo. It is relatively smooth for now. Be cautious of oncoming traffic as grading lends to excessive speed down the middle of the narrow road.
Rancho el Topo is about mid way between La Rumorosa and Laguna Hanson at 5,000' elevation. Very secure camping under the pines. Horseback riding available at very reasonable prices. There is an enjoyable 1 hour or 1.5 hrs. long ride to a little lake on the ranch. An outdoor 30' climbing wall (artificial holds on real rock). Small rustic restaurant open most weekends. The Sandovals are gracious hosts and welcome visitors. Ricardo is fluent in English. Keep in mind that they aren't likely to try to "sell" you on anything; you must ask for what you want.
Canyon el Tajo, 4 miles to the east of El Topo has spectacular granite domes. Nice hiking, including one to a "mirador", view of the desert (Laguna Salada). World-class rockclimbing there as well.
IMHO, Rancho el Topo is the better choice for camping. Laguna Hanson is a nice side trip from there (about 15 miles / 45 minutes each way).
I won't make it this weekend, but if you have questions, e-mail to ClimbBaja [at] aol {dot} com
Have fun !

Maderita - 7-19-2017 at 10:58 AM

https://www.facebook.com/RanchoElTopoSierraDeJuarez/

In La Rumorosa, a good restaurant:
http://cabanadelabuelo.com/

Native American rock art / cave paintings "pinturas" at Vallecitos, just west of La Rumorosa. Self-guided loop trail, about 1 hour. Suggest morning or late afternoon as mid-day is warm in summer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Vallecito

Nice mirador overlooking the desert, with huge granite boulders at Casa de Piedra a few hundred yards east of the toll booth on the cuota (toll road).
https://www.facebook.com/Geo-Parque-Casa-de-Piedra-la-Rumoro...
A 30 minute side trip.
If you drive the cuota all the way, you will have to drive down most of the grade (or all the way to the desert if you don't know the no entry shortcut) to return to La Rumorosa. There are access roads around the south side of the cuota which will lead to parking 100m from the Casa de Piedra entrance. Cost is a few pesos. Owned by the Vizcarra family, long time ranching family
in the Sierra de Juarez (Rancho Alamar east of Laguna Hanson).

[Edited on 7-19-2017 by Maderita]

nbentley1 - 7-19-2017 at 11:13 AM

Thank you Maderita, we will be taking the road through Ojos Negros.

BajaGeoff - 7-19-2017 at 11:23 AM

That is such a fun drive and beautiful area! We went through there in fall of 2015 and Laguna Hanson only had a little bit of water. It made for a nice lunch stop in the pines though!





mtgoat666 - 7-19-2017 at 11:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  
Two weeks ago, the lake was about half full. Still lovely. The west side of the lake is where visitors from north and south roads arrive. Hence, more crowds and noise. Drive around to the east side of the lake for a somewhat quieter camping experience.
Are you driving south from La Rumorosa, or north from Ojos Negros? Grading was just completed on the 22 miles of dirt road between La Rumorosa and Rancho el Topo. It is relatively smooth for now. Be cautious of oncoming traffic as grading lends to excessive speed down the middle of the narrow road.
Rancho el Topo is about mid way between La Rumorosa and Laguna Hanson at 5,000' elevation. Very secure camping under the pines. Horseback riding available at very reasonable prices. There is an enjoyable 1 hour or 1.5 hrs. long ride to a little lake on the ranch. An outdoor 30' climbing wall (artificial holds on real rock). Small rustic restaurant open most weekends. The Sandovals are gracious hosts and welcome visitors. Ricardo is fluent in English. Keep in mind that they aren't likely to try to "sell" you on anything; you must ask for what you want.
Canyon el Tajo, 4 miles to the east of El Topo has spectacular granite domes. Nice hiking, including one to a "mirador", view of the desert (Laguna Salada). World-class rockclimbing there as well.
IMHO, Rancho el Topo is the better choice for camping. Laguna Hanson is a nice side trip from there (about 15 miles / 45 minutes each way).
I won't make it this weekend, but if you have questions, e-mail to ClimbBaja [at] aol {dot} com
Have fun !


Does Rancho el Topo do horse rides for kids? Kid-friendly horses? (speaking of kids that have some riding experience).
How big of a group can be accomodated for horse riding?

And how is the mt bike riding at rancho el topo? Any single track? Are the roads hard-packed or deep soft sand/silt?

Maderita - 7-19-2017 at 03:43 PM

mtgoat666,
Kids frequently ride horses at the ranch. Many/most of the horses are quite calm and easily managed. They can currently accommodate 10-12 riders at a time. Most novice riders are satisfied with a couple hours in the saddle, so multiple rides can be done in the same day when there are larger groups.
Recommend making contact and reservations in advance for a group. (On the weekend of August 5-6 the horses will be rented for an annual cabalgata (group ride event and fiesta).
As for mountain bikes, much of the ranch and surrounding plateau are relatively flat. There are numerous dirt roads, most seldom traveled, which are mostly hard pack. Short arroyo crossings are sandy. Not developed single tracks, but there are meandering cow trails and a few developed horse trails.

mtgoat666 - 7-19-2017 at 08:08 PM

Thanks for info. Are there any trail maps for canon tajo? Is parking secure if leaving car for day to hike or climb?

Maderita - 7-20-2017 at 02:17 AM

mtgoat666,
No, there aren't any trail maps. There aren't really any trails except for the very few improvements I've made for climbing route access. I could send a couple photos which would help get your bearings for base camp and a 20-30 minute hike/scramble through big boulders and caves to a mirador with views of the desert and south face of El Gran Trono Blanco. There is a fun hike with granite slabs with a bit of 3rd class, about 1 additional hour, to the top of Trono Blanco. Good approach shoes with "sticky rubber" make it easier and safer.
There's also a fun summit block of a 300' dome with airy 3rd class climbing on superb granite. Well, 3rd class if you followed me. But not knowing the route precisely, make that 4th class, with a rope for the spooky bits. Sticky rubber approach shoes or climbing shoes strongly advised for that route.

AFAIK, there haven't been any vehicle burglaries in the past 15 years. However, I'd recommend not leaving wallets/valuables in the car.
Send an e-mail if you want photos.

David K - 7-20-2017 at 08:20 AM

Several years ago, a Nomad from France who lived in San Diego for a few years traveled and hiked in Baja. His Nomad name was 'jide'. I made a web page for his Cañon Tajo photos:

Jide's Sierra Juarez Canyon Photos
Baja Nomad 'jide' shares photos of the Sierra Juarez east slope canyons Tajo and Carrizo

http://www.vivabaja.com/jide/

wilderone - 7-22-2017 at 10:02 AM

A guy might come around and offer horseback riding. He'll come whenever with as many horses as necessary and lead a slow walk around the lake and here and there. Also, it is a relatively short hike (or drive) to the edge of the forest plateau to view the desert below. There is a trail down, and there was a thread some years ago about it. If you're interested, maybe the horse guy or other local can point you to a trailhead.

ehall - 7-22-2017 at 10:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
A guy might come around and offer horseback riding. He'll come whenever with as many horses as necessary and lead a slow walk around the lake and here and there. Also, it is a relatively short hike (or drive) to the edge of the forest plateau to view the desert below. There is a trail down, and there was a thread some years ago about it. If you're interested, maybe the horse guy or other local can point you to a trailhead.



That would be one heck of a trail. Almost like dropping into the grand canyon.