BajaNomad

Montevideo Rock Painting Site Road Closed

David K - 1-3-2019 at 06:23 PM

I got a call today from Mando (Mothership) and he was with Ivan and friends going to visit the pictograph site, Montevideo. Less than 2 miles in from the San Borja road they came upon this sign and a locked gate:



The Montevideo site has been open to the public since it was discovered (or exposed) in the 1960s. A true treasure of history that hopefully will be available to future generations. The department of tourism has even erected signs pointing the way, in past years. It is 6 miles east from the San Borja road, 2 miles south of the L.A. Bay highway.

I have been to the site multiple times from 2001-2017...
A location excellent for senior citizens and handicapped as you could drive right to the site and see the art from your car and walk about 20 feet to get close. There has not been any graffiti despite the numbers of visitors who have shown great respect for the ancient art. Perhaps because the road requires 4WD (in recent years)... as bad roads bring only good people?

My February 2017 photos, including the road in and out, and how close the site is from the road:









































[Edited on 1-7-2019 by David K]

4x4abc - 1-3-2019 at 09:26 PM

are both roads closed or just the main one?

David K - 1-3-2019 at 10:35 PM

Both roads? Where is a second road coming from?

EDIT: The second road joins the main road in before the location of the new gate/ fence. Sad.

[Edited on 1-4-2019 by David K]

4x4abc - 1-4-2019 at 06:48 AM

road starting at Rancho Agua Higuera
have used it many times

http://baja101.com/Baja-GPS/Agua-Higuera-4x4.kmz

PaulW - 1-4-2019 at 07:37 AM

David, Do you have the coordinates of teh sign?

mtgoat666 - 1-4-2019 at 07:42 AM

Road closed?
You can thank the bad behaviour of the off-roaders!

KasloKid - 1-4-2019 at 10:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Road closed?
You can thank the bad behaviour of the off-roaders!


Accusations are a non-starter without proof....

David K - 1-4-2019 at 10:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
David, Do you have the coordinates of teh sign?


No, as it wasn't me, it was Mando... but I will ask (actually Mando 'Mothership' reads Nomad).

Edit: Approx. here: 28° 55.790'N, 113° 44.928'W

[Edited on 1-4-2019 by David K]

David K - 1-4-2019 at 10:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Road closed?
You can thank the bad behaviour of the off-roaders!


As you have no clue or have ever been there, let's say it is more likely a case of controlling cattle movement. Mando reported a new cattle guard was placed over the graded road, nearby.

David K - 1-4-2019 at 11:09 AM

OK, Mando looked and then called me.
The new gate/ fence is past where Harald's La Higuera road joins the original road, where there is a narrow pass between the hill and the side of the valley, here is the approx. GPS of the new fence/ locked gate:

28° 55.790'N, 113° 44.928'W

The uniformed arrive on scene

thebajarunner - 1-4-2019 at 11:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Road closed?
You can thank the bad behaviour of the off-roaders!


Too bad you don't like Baja
cuz you sure hang around those of us that do and annoy us
What a fun life you must lead.....not!!!!

willardguy - 1-4-2019 at 12:27 PM

pretty obvious to me these ancient graffiti artists were also some of the earliest So Cal mc members!;)

elfbrewery - 1-4-2019 at 02:04 PM

I take it that the cave paintings are past the closed road sign. I had hoped they were closer to Hwy 12. *SIGH!

David K - 1-4-2019 at 04:14 PM

Yes, that is the issue. The road goes about 6 miles into the painted cliff. The new fence crosses it about 4 miles in or 2 miles from the cliff.

I know Google Maps calls it Hwy. 12, but there are no signs in Mexico calling it Hwy. 12... It remains signed as an extension of Hwy. 1. We just say "L.A. Bay Highway" for clarification.

4x4abc - 1-4-2019 at 08:05 PM

so we lost another Baja gem

El Cabrito - 1-6-2019 at 07:43 AM

Harald,

I was thinking about driving out a ways and hiking in. We like to get exercise and I know the missus is going to want to do some hiking.

Are your tracks you posted earlier all the way to the paintings?

I drove out many years ago, and last year I rode out on my Moto. I didn't find the paintings I'd seen in the 90's but found different ones.

Last January we rode about 6-7 miles up the wash (same one I drove years back) and never came to any gates or signs



[Edited on 1-6-2019 by El Cabrito]

[Edited on 1-6-2019 by El Cabrito]

4x4abc - 1-6-2019 at 11:28 AM

about a 2 mile hike from the new gate
http://baja101.com/Baja-GPS/Montevideo.kmz

El Cabrito - 1-6-2019 at 12:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
about a 2 mile hike from the new gate
http://baja101.com/Baja-GPS/Montevideo.kmz



Thanks for this.

Riding Moto's doesn't really allow you to look around a lot when in the sand and dodging cactus..

Looks like I went a little too far last January. We stopped at the far end of the rock face so we missed all the good stuff.
Spotwalla.JPG - 76kB


[Edited on 1-6-2019 by El Cabrito]

David K - 1-6-2019 at 04:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by El Cabrito  
Harald,

I was thinking about driving out a ways and hiking in. We like to get exercise and I know the missus is going to want to do some hiking.

Are your tracks you posted earlier all the way to the paintings?

I drove out many years ago, and last year I rode out on my Moto. I didn't find the paintings I'd seen in the 90's but found different ones.

Last January we rode about 6-7 miles up the wash (same one I drove years back) and never came to any gates or signs



[Edited on 1-6-2019 by El Cabrito]

[Edited on 1-6-2019 by El Cabrito]


Welcome to Nomad...
See the yellow pushpin, which is at the painting location:



Here is my GPS inReach track map:

Summary

PaulW - 1-7-2019 at 10:02 AM

Here is a GE image based on all of your contributors.
Thanks to all for the inputs.

Montevideo Art.jpg - 224kB

4x4abc - 1-7-2019 at 08:10 PM

looks correct

El Cabrito - 1-13-2019 at 08:02 AM

Thanks David K and PaulW - :D

Now for my big question - Do you guys think it will be ok to park and hike in? I will most likely ask around when I'm in Bola to see if anyone knows if the rancher who put the sign up is ok with it, but if anyone knows I'd appreciate it.

PaulW - 1-13-2019 at 08:48 AM

I would not walk up the road past the sign.
Finding an alternate route that avoids that traditional track past the sign and gate would be my choice. If I was bound and determined to go there I would consider walking from near the paved highway and follow the drainage east of the mountain ridge then cross over to the site. This route would require scrambling over the ridge - about 800' elevation gain and about a 5 mile hike. My biggest concern would be parking my rig in an inconspicuous place that could not be seen from the highway.
Obviously for this hike you would need your SPOT and a hand held GPS.
Go for it.

4x4abc - 1-13-2019 at 10:09 AM

There is an old road that leads right to that Indian pass
if gate is open at Rancho Agua Amarga - good
if not, ask Mia next door to the left if you can get in
good size parking here:
28°56'32.25"N, 113°41'59.38"W
easy road
done it several times

there is an old Indian pass right over to the painting
600+ ft, not difficult, not easy
done it

or you could park here:
28°57'19.39"N. 113°45'35.55"W
and follow the drainage to the site
only 3+ miles

4x4abc - 1-13-2019 at 10:26 AM

visual help

El Cabrito - 1-13-2019 at 01:34 PM

Great stuff Harald and PaulW.. I never leave home with out my Delorme Inreach.. It has proved to be indispensable on trips.

The idea of a rugged hike is very appealing. Do have to be a bit careful because we'll have our 15lb dog with us. He's a burly little adventurer though, but the desert is a harsh environment.

Thanks again for the visual aids. Very helpful.

David K - 1-13-2019 at 06:04 PM

Harald, how about a posting a view of the above mao but not so close in so I can get some perspective with familiar points? I get the heavy black line is the highway to L.A. Bay.
Thank you.

4x4abc - 1-13-2019 at 06:54 PM

here we go

rotated 90 degrees to fit your size limits


Is Mia back in LABay?

thebajarunner - 1-13-2019 at 11:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
There is an old road that leads right to that Indian pass
if gate is open at Rancho Agua Amarga - good
if not, ask Mia next door to the left if you can get in
good size parking here:
28°56'32.25"N, 113°41'59.38"W
easy road
done it several times

there is an old Indian pass right over to the painting
600+ ft, not difficult, not easy
done it

or you could park here:
28°57'19.39"N. 113°45'35.55"W
and follow the drainage to the site
only 3+ miles




Last time I asked at Lizeth she was still living up in Central California.
Baja Vida and I enjoyed a couple of cervezas on her patio some years back, soon after she departed and some months back the house looked in rather poor repair.

David K - 1-14-2019 at 10:37 AM

Mia's late husband invited me over when I was in the area but he wasn't home when I dropped in. Sadly, he died not long after... 2004 maybe?
So Harald, you could drive over the Indian pass or is that for hiking only? I guess you knew Tomás, as a fellow German?
I recall emailing with him about the Manila Palms Oasis, south of his place.
Thank you for the expanded map!

4x4abc - 1-14-2019 at 12:56 PM

Tomas (Werner Marhold) was one of my first Baja friends.
A grumpy bastard with a heart of gold.

The Indian pass is hiking only
for the experienced hiker only

David K - 1-14-2019 at 01:16 PM

Vielen Dank

PaulW - 1-14-2019 at 04:06 PM

I looked on GE and noted that Harald's track is very faint. And I wonder it the rancho is occupied these days?

4x4abc - 1-14-2019 at 08:29 PM

Rancho Agua Amarga has been abandoned for years
their gate might be open or closed
have not been to Mia's place (next door) in years
don't know if she has a gate up

the track is faint on GE, but it is an easy drive (in my world)