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El Marmol

K7BVT - 11-3-2019 at 10:19 PM

Would like to visit El Marmol. Looks like about 10 miles off Hwy 1. Is road OK for high clearance 2WD ( rig makes it to Mikes from Hwy 3 OK). Any gates to deal with?

David K - 11-3-2019 at 10:40 PM

No gates, just over 9 miles, 2WD high clearance friendly. I have not been back since our group went through there in 2011. Haven't heard of any changes by others who have. El Volcán is 4 miles further but may be difficult to turn around or park in a 2WD in the arroyo. The geyser is a short walk to the right, in the arroyo. See the trip photos.

[Edited on 2-2-2023 by David K]

MMc - 11-3-2019 at 11:31 PM

I was there in Oct. They are mining it again and have closed off some areas, I didn't see anybody but it is fenced off. The road is in good shape as there is another mine using it. Your truck will be fine.

4x4abc - 11-3-2019 at 11:33 PM

nothing interesting to see in El Marmol

It is a place of history...

David K - 11-4-2019 at 06:15 AM

El Mármol is home to the world's only school made of onyx (half-destroyed about 20 years ago). Here is my article on its history:
https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/the_onyx...

Here are the photos of El Mármol and El Volcán from the Nomad trip of 2011 (a blog page): http://vivabajablog.blogspot.com/2011/07/lost-mission-expedi...

Here is my El Mármol web page of 2006: http://vivabaja.com/marmol/

My 2018 map of the region:

Jack Swords - 11-4-2019 at 09:57 AM

https://www.bajabound.com/images/content/the_onyx_schoolhous...

Also there are a variety of old graves scattered around, bodies covered with onyx stones. There is an old airstrip with what remains of an old airplane. Many parts and car bodies from old (1920s) cars. Truly a fascinating place. Drive farther to the cold water spring continuing to make onyx. Tough place to work in that era. Going west you can encounter the old port for shipping the onyx.

Don Pisto - 11-4-2019 at 10:45 AM

I recall a number of years ago there was talk of a road going from el marmol coming out at the 5 south of puertecitos.....did this ever happen?

bajaric - 11-4-2019 at 11:25 AM

Dry waterfalls have thwarted all modern attempts (that I know of) to make it from El Marmol down to the shoreline in this area. It was said that at one time a "wagon trail" went up from the coast opposite Isla El Muerto to the top, but it has long since been washed out. One idea I had was to hike up Arroyo Volcan past the geyser, then hop across the divide to the east and follow one of the arroyos back down, but looks pretty rough up there and bad knees and diminished lung capacity have ruled out such an attempt on my part.

wilderone - 11-4-2019 at 12:49 PM

"have closed off some areas" What areas?
"it is fenced off" Where is it fenced off?

Did you go to El Volcan? Is it still all torn up with hoses draining the pools?

"from El Marmol down to the shoreline" - only about 12 miles as the crow flies. Would be fun to try. I'd only like to go one-way however - need some support on the coast side. I'm sure the indigenous did it - I've seen shells between El Volcan and the mine.

MMc - 11-4-2019 at 01:18 PM

"have closed off some areas" What areas?
The area they have started taking out some of the onix there.

"it is fenced off" Where is it fenced off? As you drive up to the buildings it's the area to the right. There is a barbed wire fence that runs past the grave area in one direction and past the sand wash in the other.

No, I didn't go to El Volcan. The road goes past the onix mine to another mine, I didn't go to it ether.

I was answering K7BVT question as to going there. Feel free to explore it yourself.

David K - 11-4-2019 at 01:51 PM

The road past the onyx mine to the northeast is going to La Olvidada. That's the other mine. It is a barite mine. Barite is used for oil drilling. It passes over Arroyo el Volcán in 4 miles from El Mármol and goes 6 more miles to end at La Olvidada, high above the gulf coast, south of El Huerfanito.

The geyser (soda springs) and giant onyx dome of El Volcán is (to me) one of those special Baja sites that shouldn't be missed.

Road fork at El Mármol, and onyx schoolhouse in background. Mina La Olvidada is 10 miles from here.

The geyser of El Volcán, in 2006.

In 2011

Bubbling spring on top of geyser.

[Edited on 11-4-2019 by David K]

Don Pisto - 11-4-2019 at 01:54 PM

about 10 years ago a group of riders made the trip from puertecitos to marmol, you can find the report over at TT unfortunately all the photos got caught up in that photobucket debacle

......these guys were xlnt riders.

[Edited on 11-4-2019 by Don Pisto]

David K - 11-4-2019 at 02:04 PM

BillB, GilaOro, and a third Nomad explored Arroyo el Volcán from the gulf side, just south of El Huerfanito. They discovered the dry waterfall making a wheeled vehicle unable to use it to reach El Mármol.

We discovered in 2011, that very soon after hiking from the La Olvidada road, in Arroyo el Volcán, boulders made it impossible for bajalou to get his quad through.

FYI, in the Baja Almanac and Mexican topo maps, the arroyo is mislabeled as "Zamora" and another wash south is labeled as El Volcán.

David K - 11-4-2019 at 02:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto

about 10 years ago a group of riders made the trip from puertecitos to marmol, you can find the report over at TT unfortunately all the photos got caught up in that photobucket debacle

......these guys were xlnt riders.

[Edited on 11-4-2019 by Don Pisto]

If I recall that trip, they used the Bill Nichols trail to go from Hwy. 5 just a few miles south of Puertecitos, west. It goes very close to El Mármol as it heads west.

Bill Nichols Trail Map

David K - 11-7-2019 at 04:47 PM

Bill Nichols-1.jpg - 173kB

K7BVT - 12-17-2019 at 01:02 AM

We found El Marmol OK. The area was fenced off with 5 strand barb wire and a gate with chain and lock. Disappointed that we couldn't walk around the site. Bought a piece of Onyx in Ensenada for $5 that was supposed to be from El Marmol.

El Marmol school3.jpg - 235kB

John Harper - 12-17-2019 at 06:00 AM

People would probably haul off the stones if it wasn't fenced.

John

David K - 12-17-2019 at 08:25 AM

The onyx field is huge, acres. Plenty of specimens laying around. I would be surprised if it was all behind a fence now! There are pieces of onyx in Arroyo el Volcán, too.
Down by Gonzaga Bay is another soda spring creating onyx and there are pieces of pretty onyx in the arroyo near it. Another onyx mine (small scale) was shown on maps from 1970 era to the north of Gonzaga.
Other onyx mines in Baja California include Cerro Blanco, southwest of Cataviña and El Marmolito south of Nuevo Rosarito. Ore from it was shipped out at Miller's Landing (near El Tomatal).

[Edited on 12-17-2019 by David K]

MMc - 12-17-2019 at 09:40 AM

I just hopped the fence. I take only pictures and picked up a bit of trash. Still a nice place to stretch your legs and see something different.

David K - 12-17-2019 at 10:17 AM

MMc, you would really enjoy El Volcán... I think anyone would.
Just 4 miles from El Mármol and a short hike (1/4 mile) to the right once you are in the arroyo (bottom of grade). Pools of water, onyx in various stages of formation, and then the bubbling springs. Maybe you will get lucky and witness an eruption of the geyser! It has never been captured on film (as best we know).

bajaric - 12-17-2019 at 01:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

"from El Marmol down to the shoreline" - only about 12 miles as the crow flies. Would be fun to try. I'd only like to go one-way however - need some support on the coast side. I'm sure the indigenous did it - I've seen shells between El Volcan and the mine.

Indigenous got water at tinajas in the mountains and gathered shellfish along the coast in this area. Have never been there but would love to hike up the Volcan arroyo and beyond, maybe just a day hike in and back because logistics are a challenge, definitely spot country. It is a 2500' elevation drop in twelve miles and some very steep slopes above the arroyos, vertical landscape -- also have heard no place to park at the trailhead so would need someone to drop off and pick up. I would be game if any people want to do a group trip. bajaric

bajaric - 12-17-2019 at 02:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Another onyx mine (small scale) was shown on maps from 1970 era to the north of Gonzaga.

[Edited on 12-17-2019 by David K]

San Judas --
Fun fact, onyx mined at El Marmol can still be seen today in the lobby of the Spreckels Theater in San Diego

David K - 12-17-2019 at 02:18 PM

If you recall the Baja Nomad Lost Mission Search of 2011, we camped off the road (4 miles from El Mármol) and hiked the few miles to the place 'elbeau' thought he saw walls, and elaborate structures, on Google Earth). 'bajalou' brought his quad but boulders soon prevented him from using it, as we hiked down the arroyo. See Part 1 & 2:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52696
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52735

[Edited on 12-17-2019 by David K]

David K - 12-17-2019 at 02:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Another onyx mine (small scale) was shown on maps from 1970 era to the north of Gonzaga.

[Edited on 12-17-2019 by David K]

San Judas --
Fun fact, onyx mined at El Marmol can still be seen today in the lobby of the Spreckels Theater in San Diego

See it between Okie Landing and Salvatierra:

4x4abc - 12-17-2019 at 06:08 PM

someone mentioned 2 cemeteries at El Marmol
I have never seen any
does anyone here know
David?

advrider - 12-17-2019 at 06:47 PM

bajaric, I would love to do that hike, I think an over night or two would be even better. I wouldn't be able to do it until next year sometime, and I'm usually good for 16+ mile days in the Sierras. That area would be a challenge because of all of the rock scrambling that would be required! I bet there are some amazing sights to see!

Don Pisto - 12-17-2019 at 06:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

someone mentioned 2 cemeteries at El Marmol
I have never seen any
does anyone here know
David?

here's one close to the schoolhouse.....

David K - 12-17-2019 at 07:43 PM

Yes, the cemetery is west of the schoolhouse, just south of the road.

4x4abc - 12-17-2019 at 09:06 PM

about here?

Attachment: Cementerio.kmz (683B)
This file has been downloaded 221 times

4x4abc - 12-17-2019 at 09:09 PM

how about the second one?

wilderone - 12-18-2019 at 08:30 AM

There's a lot to see and explore around El Marmol than just the old school building. Is that the only thing that is fenced now? There are other historic structure foundations, the cemeteries on the hill nearby. El Volcan with the pools has been greatly disturbed - I was shocked when I saw it a few years ago and decided would never return. But would appreciate a current update. It was one of my favorite camping spots.
2500 ft. elevation in 12 miles is very gradual. There must be trails that the indigenous used, so if they can be found, no steep climbs, and likely not have to go willy-nilly on a cross-country route. Would rather go downhill, one way of course! The onyx at the San Judas mine is lesser quality as that at El Marmol. Interesting site though.

[Edited on 12-18-2019 by wilderone]

1976 & 2006

David K - 12-18-2019 at 09:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

about here?

Yes!

Here are two photos at the cemetery from the July 1976 trip with my parents and girlfriend:

OK, that's all I could find from that 1976 trip (I also went in 1974 and 1975).

Here is the cemetery in 2006, 30 years later:

Note the schoolhouse in the background.

[Edited on 12-18-2019 by David K]

bajaric - 12-19-2019 at 09:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider

bajaric, I would love to do that hike, I think an over night or two would be even better. I wouldn't be able to do it until next year sometime, and I'm usually good for 16+ mile days in the Sierras. That area would be a challenge because of all of the rock scrambling that would be required! I bet there are some amazing sights to see!

Hi Advrider, it would be an adventure, for sure. However, upon further consideration I think a little too much for me. I could not hike 16 miles if a bear was chasing me. From my experience hiking in the area (coming up from the bottom) while it would seem straightforward to just follow the bottom of the arroyo there are many spots where you have to find a way around ledges and boulders and so forth and it is time consuming to find the right path. If you like rocks it is a great place. Lots and lots of rocks. I might be interested in a day hike to the geyser and a little ways beyond it and to the west, scout out the top part but gonna have to take a pass on bushwacking 12 miles across the divide and down to the sea..

advrider - 12-19-2019 at 08:44 PM

I'm up for any kind of hiking, I've been pushing my miles in preparation for a through hike of the PCT. The rock's are hard on the feet and the body so I wouldn't want to push much more then 12 myself. I might run out that way in March on my bike and take a look around. Keep in touch if you plan something.

BajaMama - 1-2-2020 at 12:46 PM

I always love a side trip to El Marmol. On the side of the road opposite the school we always find chunks of onyx. The graveyard is interesting to walk around - we NEVER take onyx from graveyard area. When I drove past the little shop near the turnoff in June it looked to be back in business, but it was 6:00 AM so I didn't want to wake anyone up. Anyone know if it is indeed open for business?

David K - 1-2-2020 at 12:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama

I always love a side trip to El Marmol. On the side of the road opposite the school we always find chunks of onyx. The graveyard is interesting to walk around - we NEVER take onyx from graveyard area. When I drove past the little shop near the turnoff in June it looked to be back in business, but it was 6:00 AM so I didn't want to wake anyone up. Anyone know if it is indeed open for business?

Oh, good news... That is Rancho Sonora (Km. 149), and they were closed up in June 2017. I hope others will confirm they are selling onyx (and meals), again.