BajaNomad

Valle La Grulla GPS route

marinirak - 12-10-2019 at 04:38 PM

Hi, im planning bikepacking to the "Valle de la Grulla" and go back to Rancho el Coyote riding the path "El Corral de Sam".

I found the gps track from "El Corral de Sam" but i cant find the gps track to "La Grulla".
If somebody can help me with that i gonna be grateful.

David K - 12-10-2019 at 05:19 PM

They are not near each other.
Corral de Sam is up the mountain from Mike's Sky Rancho and Dark Skies Inn (La Concepción). North of the Observatory road.
La Grulla Meadow is south of the Observatory road quite a ways.
What is the plan?
I am guessing a permit would be needed from the ranger station? Maybe also contact Rancho Meling?

marinirak - 12-10-2019 at 05:32 PM

Hi, i know.

Rangers told me is not a problem to ride to this places on a bike.

The plan is go in car to the park with my family, ride solo on the bike to La Grulla and camping there, the next day go back to the park and go to Corral de Sam to camping on the final of the path. The next day go to Rancho el Coyote (No Meling) and camping there. and finally ride the Baja Divide rout to Vicente Guerrero from El Coyote.

Im thinking in 3-5 days trip, next summer maybe.

John Harper - 12-10-2019 at 07:37 PM

I was looking into a backpack trip to La Grulla a couple years ago in search of trout. At the time, I was told you needed a guide, and permission to fish. I understand that the fishing is now not allowed, but not sure if guides still required. One of the members here, Luke Jobbins, has a friend who guides the park. I think I still have her number if you are interested.

John

marinirak - 12-10-2019 at 09:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
I was looking into a backpack trip to La Grulla a couple years ago in search of trout. At the time, I was told you needed a guide, and permission to fish. I understand that the fishing is now not allowed, but not sure if guides still required. One of the members here, Luke Jobbins, has a friend who guides the park. I think I still have her number if you are interested.

John


Hi, In April of this year, I went to the Picacho and heard from some guides that the trout they put in the Valley are growing very well. I'm not going to fish, but, I need to know if I'm going to need a guide or not. thank you very much for the info.

David K - 12-10-2019 at 09:20 PM

You good with maps for this? I have the 1988 Jerry Schad map that was popular with hikers and climbers.

The new topo map provided by geoffff is nice, too.

If you search 'Schad' here in Nomad, you may see other times I posted it?

John Robinson documented the trails in his 1967 book. Here is a map from a later edition. It shows both Corral de Sam and La Grulla:



(note, Mike's Sky Rancho is not correctly located, it is further downstream, by the San in Arroyo San Rafael)

Maderita - 12-10-2019 at 09:43 PM

I had read that there is a requirement to have a guide for climbing Picacho del Diablo and for travel in wilderness. Not sure how accurate the part about "any" wilderness travel is, or about enforcement of the rules.
In my opinion, mountain bikes should not be allowed on the (upper elevation) trails, particularly La Grulla meadow. It is a fragile and remote wilderness, easily compromised by excessive visitation.
Sofia Bautista guides the peak and has guided backpacking to the meadows. Likely that she has a GPS track from Vallecitos.
https://www.facebook.com/sofia.bautista.9887117

John Harper - 12-11-2019 at 08:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  
I had read that there is a requirement to have a guide for climbing Picacho del Diablo and for travel in wilderness. Not sure how accurate the part about "any" wilderness travel is, or about enforcement of the rules.
In my opinion, mountain bikes should not be allowed on the (upper elevation) trails, particularly La Grulla meadow. It is a fragile and remote wilderness, easily compromised by excessive visitation.
Sofia Bautista guides the peak and has guided backpacking to the meadows. Likely that she has a GPS track from Vallecitos.
https://www.facebook.com/sofia.bautista.9887117


Yes, that's the woman I was in contact with about my fishing trip.

John

John Harper - 12-11-2019 at 08:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by marinirak  

Hi, In April of this year, I went to the Picacho and heard from some guides that the trout they put in the Valley are growing very well.


That's fantastic news. I'm headed back to Arroyo San Rafael this April, hopefully having the recent Baja 1000 cross the drainage several times did no damage. I'm just concerned about the littering/degradation of such a beautiful little canyon. Recent graffitti at the falls was a disappointment last year, although I hauled out a couple bags of trash.

John

marinirak - 12-11-2019 at 09:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
You good with maps for this? I have the 1988 Jerry Schad map that was popular with hikers and climbers.

The new topo map provided by geoffff is nice, too.

If you search 'Schad' here in Nomad, you may see other times I posted it?

John Robinson documented the trails in his 1967 book. Here is a map from a later edition. It shows both Corral de Sam and La Grulla:



(note, Mike's Sky Rancho is not correctly located, it is further downstream, by the San in Arroyo San Rafael)



Thank you so much!...

David K - 12-11-2019 at 09:55 AM

Just let me know what you need in the form of maps or book-guides. Email is good: info (at) vivabaja.com