BajaNomad

Matomi Ranch and Falls access road now gated!

David K - 10-12-2020 at 06:01 AM

Looks like we have lost access to another of Baja's special sites, the Matomi Waterfall fed pool. Located behind the ranch house at the end of the road in Matomi Canyon, 5 miles west from where the Valle Chico road (and SCORE race route) meets Arroyo Matomi.


On Sunday, my Facebook amigo 'Justin' drove his Jeep Commando over the rocks 30 miles from Hwy. 5 and beyond only to come to a recently installed locked gate, about 3 miles west of the Valle Chico road junction (~2 miles from the Matomi ranch house and waterfall/pool).





The Arroyo Matomi road is along the bottom edge of the map:


The gate is above the letter M in Matomi (near the west end of the road).


What was the attraction? Water in the desert and natural beauty...











The ranch house has been mostly deserted since the original owner, Tomás Dowling, passed on. I met him on my first visits here in 1978 & 1979. He had a second house where the Valle Chico road dropped into the arroyo, midway down. That home vanished in the following years.

In Feb. 2001, we had an Amigos de Baja group trip to Matomi... Nomad El Camote made a fun video of our weekend. Saturday we went to the sulfur mine, Nuevo Mazatlan (Agua de Chale), and Shell Island. Sunday, we went to Matomi Falls: https://vimeo.com/206406826/a08c7cb808 (17 minutes with talk & music)

Nextlevelbaja - 10-12-2020 at 07:36 AM

We were very disappointed to find that locked gate, so we decided to move on and camp at the hot spring to the north. Wouldn't you know, just as we entered the wash, a thunderstorm came in. It had moth ball size chunks of hail too. We decided that a force bigger than us didn't want us going up any of those washes and camped on high ground

bajatrailrider - 10-12-2020 at 08:08 AM

Sad to hear this David I have been there only 3 times on motos. Real nice place locked gates and mother nature. Close down many routes. Lucky I'm still finding new routes to keep entertained.

PaulW - 10-12-2020 at 08:46 AM

Local connections will happen to see if possible access can be arranged. Last time we were there we found new fencing near the ranch, cattle and horses and much activity further east of the ranch building.

David K - 10-12-2020 at 09:00 AM

Potential for a fly-in resort is there for small planes... the runway (a straight section of the road just east of the ranch) is even on maps.
It was used for bighorn hunters back when Tomás Dowling was there (pre-1990).

Paulina - 10-12-2020 at 12:40 PM

If cattle are kept in the area the new fence could have been installed as a way to protect them from theft. I've been hearing that cattle theft is becoming more rampant in the outback.

P>*)))>{

David K - 10-12-2020 at 01:43 PM

Well, hard to say but the ranch house has not been lived in full time since the 1980s.

In all my trips (1978-2017) I have not seen cattle in the canyon or anywhere in the region. Maybe that's all changed, with new owners? In 2001, there was a caretaker named Rodrigo living there but without a horse or vehicle that looked operable. When the Matomi gange of that President's Day rolled in, he was up in the hills hunting for food and came down to meet us. He is featured in El Camote's film.

The gate was not part of a fence from what I heard... It was simply to prevent vehicles from passing.

PaulW - 10-12-2020 at 03:07 PM

When we camped there last spring 4 wranglers with horses. Two ok pickups parked at the rancho. Extra saddles and other horse gear were evident.
A new Corral across the drainage with a mother and colt in a new metal fence enclosure. Further up the drainage there was a pretty good sized heard of cattle on the far side. Just south of the water pools there was a new fence following the drainage and crossing the drainage still further east. Then the new fence turned south up a wash and stopped at the road. Then further south the wranglers were working on a new area. I could see them from my hike and it appeared they were clearing the bushes.
No evidence of a gate at that time.

Ken Cooke - 10-12-2020 at 05:05 PM

While I lament the addition of the ubiquitous steel gate blocking all access in Baja, you have to look at the natural resources and hospitable grow climate. Take a drive from the main highway back to Tubares, Sinaloa along the Rio Fuerte and see who lives beyond the east fork.

David K - 10-12-2020 at 05:19 PM

Thanks Paul... so much new stuff since my March 2017 trip!! I guess that was the last time I will ever see the majestic waterfalls of Matomi! ;) :lol:

Paulina - 10-12-2020 at 05:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Thanks Paul... so much new stuff since my March 2017 trip!! I guess that was the last time I will ever see the majestic waterfalls of Matomi! ;) :lol:


You never know, make friends with the ranchers and you might see them again.

P>*)))>{

wilderone - 10-13-2020 at 03:38 PM

"a pretty good sized heard of cattle" means cow paddies and horse flies everywhere, polluted water, every wildflower eaten. I was there once and hoped to go again and spend more time. Scratch that off The List.

PaulW - 10-13-2020 at 03:57 PM

Agree, however these cows at Matomi like the grazing and water way up the valley to the west. We camped just west of teh roach building and did no see any cow pies. The horse stables on both sides of the canyon were pretty smelly, but they were contained to the stables.

David K - 10-13-2020 at 04:58 PM

They won't get to their horses during flash floods unless they build a bridge!

There is an old Indian (?) trail from Matomi Canyon north to Parral Canyon. A small spring oasis is along the way.

PaulW - 10-13-2020 at 06:40 PM

yes, a short distance up that trail we did find water in am area with palms.

mtgoat666 - 10-13-2020 at 07:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
"a pretty good sized heard of cattle" means cow paddies and horse flies everywhere, polluted water, every wildflower eaten. I was there once and hoped to go again and spend more time. Scratch that off The List.


Ranches have operated here before. I wish the ranchers well. If they can avoid introducing the bad invasives like salt cedar, then the land will recover, if/when the ranchers leave.

pappy - 11-26-2020 at 11:21 AM

Just saw this. Bummer. Such a neat area and pools. Been there directly and have looked down on it fro Mesa avion...

Matomi is where, if I recall correctly, we met David K along with Baja Lou

pappy - 11-26-2020 at 11:39 AM

Just saw this. Bummer. Such a neat area and pools. Been there directly and have looked down on it fro Mesa avion...

Matomi is where, if I recall correctly, we met David K along with Baja Lou

David K - 11-26-2020 at 11:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pappy  
Just saw this. Bummer. Such a neat area and pools. Been there directly and have looked down on it fro Mesa avion...

Matomi is where, if I recall correctly, we met David K along with Baja Lou


It was at the entrance to Parral canyon, and then you guys went down to Matomi. This all was after you four joined Jack Swords in hiking to Mission San Pedro Mártir... April 2004. Nice to have met you!



Following their four days backpacking to Baja's most remote mission, with Jack Swords, is (L to R) Baja Taco, Huddo, Mexitron, and Pappy who met us at Parral's entrance gate.

BAJA LOU


Your guys' hike to the mesa overlooking Matomi, the climb of Matomi Mountain, and then the canyon hike after we met, are all here: http://vivabaja.com/mexitron/