Just below are my directions from Feb. 2017.
The road was destroyed by the river a kilometer past Rancho San Juan so a walk of about a kilometer beyond was needed to see the 1708-1736 mission
site (badly overgrown).
I am curious if the road was rebuilt across the riverbed and if anyone else has enjoyed seeing this 313-year-old mission site?
Comondú Viejo is accessed 25.6 miles from La Purísima (11.0 miles from Highway 1, Km. 59+) using a well-traveled ranch road going south. It
leads 6.4 miles to Rancho San Juan (4WD suggested). One cattle control gate is along the way. Always re-close gates after passing through. The road
goes past the home and goat pens at San Juan, and ends a kilometer beyond, where the river has washed it out. Park in the clearing before the washout
for an easy turn-around and begin the hike. Pick up the old road on the opposite side of the river and walk it south a half mile where it crosses the
river once again. Just south see some stone piles and look just east. The ruins are heavily overgrown. The ruined stone home of Padre Mayorga is at
N26°16.450’, W111°43.140’. The church was next to the home, but being made of adobe, has vanished in the 300 years since its construction in
1716. Stone walls for the mission farm are 200 feet to the northeast.
[Edited on 10-20-2019 by David K]Nikno - 10-18-2019 at 10:53 AM
I was there in February 2019. No issues getting to the mission. I don't recall if I saw any road repairs or if I just plowed through washed out road.
My Jeep can go through some pretty rough stuff but I don't remember it being particularly bad there.
I parked at the oasis at 26.27542, -111.72031
The ruins of the Padre's home at 26.27448, -111.71872
The stone corral at 26.27503, -111.71828
Where I parked was about 300 feet away from the Padre's home. I could have gotten closer but since it was my first time out there I wasn't sure
exactly where I was going. Also, the ramp going up from the river to the mission site was very loose sand and there was definitely a reasonable chance
of getting stuck there.David K - 10-18-2019 at 04:53 PM
Oh boy, fantastic! Did you go based on my posts or Baja Bound article? If so, did you enjoy the trip back in time? Can you post a photo of your
Jeep... In 2017, it was not long after the flash flood so big boulders were sticking up too high for my almost stock Tacoma.David K - 10-19-2019 at 01:29 PM
For those curious where Comondú Viejo is... It is a ways north of where it moved to (San José Comondú)...
David K - 10-19-2019 at 01:37 PM
The Jesuits kept the mission name unchanged when they relocated south it to a visita of that mission called San Ignacio, just two miles from another
visita named San Miguel, that belonged to Mission San Javier.
With the move of the mission, the visita of San Ignacio ended (1736). The San Javier visita of San Miguel was transferred to the relocated mission of
Comondú administration.
The village that grew from the San Miguel visita site eventually added Comondú to the name. Perhaps to distinguish itself from the other places named
San Miguel in Baja California?
Despite what some book and maps may show, San Miguel (here) was not a mission. It was a very important and productive visita, however, and some
Jesuits even trained there for future duty. AKgringo - 10-19-2019 at 01:44 PM
So when did it become Comondu Viego, as indicated by the title of this post? Come on David, this from the place name spelling
police?
[Edited on 10-19-2019 by AKgringo]
David K - 10-19-2019 at 04:31 PM
It became Comondú Viejo when the mission was moved.
Was there anything else I should have added? My book has a few more details...David K - 10-19-2019 at 04:38 PM
A mission is an Enterprise or system, not a location. The mission was founded at Comondú in 1708 and named San José. It was San José of Comondú.
When the mission was moved to the visita of San Ignacio, it brought with it the full name San José de Comondú. The original location became Comondú
Viejo following the move.AKgringo - 10-19-2019 at 05:09 PM
David, I was just pointing out that you spelled Viejo with a 'g' in the title post! No big deal, I thought you would correct it then I would delete
my post, but it has been quoted now. Next time I will use U2U!David K - 10-19-2019 at 06:15 PM
Lol, thanks, I am posting on my phone while watching TV... My phone screen is small and it also auto corrects to words I didn't type in... It just did
it here changing also to all! I hate that!! Lol
I will fix my typos or auto corrects and I appreciate your correction... Even if I didn't get it! Ha!
