BajaNomad

Mission Santa Gertrudis and surroundings, 2017

David K - 11-2-2017 at 04:45 PM

One really beautiful place a lot of folks may never see in person... 37 unpaved miles from Highway 1 (near Vizcaino) mostly sand based and fast but with the last several miles pretty rocky and rough at last visit (June 2017)... but 4WD is not needed.

The mission was founded in 1752 as the first one heading north since San Ignacio (1728) was established.


Nearing the oasis of Santa Gertrudis.






This stone church was built in 1796 to replace the adobe church here.


Most of the homes in Santa Gertrudis are empty now (per the mission custodian/ guide 'Francisco').










The altar faces south.




Hanging from the cieling.






It was just before 11 am (Daylight Savings adds an hour to real time).










Looking east from the mission's entrance.














The museum/library.








The road back to Hwy. 1.


gueribo - 11-2-2017 at 04:57 PM

A favorite drive....did you hike up the hill to the Camino Real?

David K - 11-2-2017 at 05:49 PM

No, I had a lot of ground to cover for the new road guide each day... ie. I was working! This was my third time to this mission and the first time to see inside. The altar was on the opposite end of the church as I have envisioned it!

carlosg - 11-2-2017 at 05:55 PM

Hi David,

Is that 37 unpaved miles driving from Hwy 1 to El Arco and thru Miraflores? How many hours each way approximately?

Thanks for your info.
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
One really beautiful place a lot of folks may never see in person... 37 unpaved miles from Highway 1 (near Vizcaino) mostly sand based and fast but with the last several miles pretty rocky and rough at last visit (June 2017)... but 4WD is not needed...


This stone church was built in 1796 to replace the adobe church here.



The road back to Hwy. 1.

basautter - 11-2-2017 at 05:59 PM

Very cool! Thanks for sharing :bounce::bounce:

4x4abc - 11-2-2017 at 06:01 PM

where exactly is the cemetery?

AKgringo - 11-2-2017 at 06:11 PM

David, do you happen to know how far away the stones were quarried? Those look like pretty straight corners and walls for such a remote site and the tools of the era!

David K - 11-2-2017 at 07:24 PM

AK, I am not sure of the exact spot, but the area is much like San Borja and the lava cap on the mesa was the source.

Harald, right across from the mission church, west side of bell tower.

Carlos, not through El Arco, but that road is very good now just 10 miles longer. The road I mentioned is about 7 miles northbound from Vizcaino via Guillermo Prieto. Figure 2 hours on the dirt if you have a Toyota or other good riding truck SUV, 3 or more for heavy or less than ideal vehicles. The last 5 miles to the mission were real rocky from last heavy rains. I was there in June. Maps and more details in my TRIP #5 report.



bkbend - 11-3-2017 at 08:39 AM

I drove those last five rocky miles in a one-ton truck and it is a little bouncy, even with aired down tires. Still worth the trip. I considered it grapefruit-sized gravel similar to David's first picture with the larger rocks removed. When we showed up it appeared to be locked and chained but when Francisco came up to greet us he only unhooked the chain, no key required. He also indicated his wife could fix up a lunch if we were hungry, but we had just eaten lunch down by the stream.

gueribo - 11-3-2017 at 08:53 AM

Nice thread! Gertrudis is worth the drive, just for the scenery. On my last visit, I met Jorge Ramos (and his dog Paloma). A good guide for the mission and surrounding areas. He said he can also serve as a guide for mule trips to painted caves in the area.

David K - 11-3-2017 at 11:20 AM

Road Maps:










Where the road crosses the state border.

fishbuck - 5-3-2018 at 09:00 AM

Thanks. Looks like a great trip.

tiotomasbcs - 5-3-2018 at 12:38 PM

Are there any areas where you could camp? Maybe in the Palm/water areas? It looks like you could possibly camp at San Rafael beaches and day trip. Shari's new post about Rancho La Escondida would also be close by. Excuse my questions but I have never explored the area! I do drive a Toyota truck, tho...ja, ja, ja!:bounce::cool: Tio

David K - 5-3-2018 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tiotomasbcs  
Are there any areas where you could camp? Maybe in the Palm/water areas? It looks like you could possibly camp at San Rafael beaches and day trip. Shari's new post about Rancho La Escondida would also be close by. Excuse my questions but I have never explored the area! I do drive a Toyota truck, tho...ja, ja, ja!:bounce::cool: Tio


You can camp pretty much anywhere... it is all desert and mountains. If you need rooms, then Piedra Blanca Guest Ranch has them and is even closer. It wouldn't surprise me if you could find a place to stay at Santa Gertrudis, either. Both places at Punta San Francisquito have rooms, too.



My camp by Rancho La Ilusión, last June:





[Edited on 5-3-2018 by David K]