BajaNomad - Can Malarrimo be reached driving from the west?

Can Malarrimo be reached driving from the west?

geoffff - 9-29-2021 at 12:06 PM

A few years ago I posted about trying to approach Malarrimo beach from the west, where I ended up turning around after encountering these signs at the Malarrimo fishing village (GPS: 27.7952, -114.7184)

My Spanish isn't very nuanced, but I understand they are worrying about fishing poaching.

I know in Baja the line between what you are "supposed" to do and what people can actually do in reality ends up being a bit blurry.

I'm wondering -- what's the real deal with this road? Is this a public road? Do they have legal jurisdiction to prevent access to this road? Do Baja Nomads go drive this road anyway? Should I "Respeta las Indicaciones"?

Or are they just saying I should somehow find the vigilancia and ask them before entering? There wasn't a security "booth" or anything.

Thanks for any insight!

Quote:

AL PUBLICO EN GRAL

Se sancionará a toda persona que se sorprenda con cabos, boyas, y otras objetos de todos los campos pesqueros, ya que se han extraviado cosas.

Por esta motivo estamos controlando en toda forma el acceso a los campos para poder pasar, favor de avisar al personal de vigilancia para su acceso a este camino, disculpe las molestias que esto le ocasiona,

Queremos evitar las operaciones ilícitas en nuestra zona de trabajo

Gracias....

[Edited on 9-29-2021 by geoffff]

BornFisher - 9-29-2021 at 01:04 PM

If you`re not a poacher, you should be fine.
Drive in and the security will find you. When they see you`re a tourist, they will tell you the rules.

Bajaboy - 9-29-2021 at 02:41 PM

There's an awesome place to camp near Pt. El Queen. Good people out there.

geoffff - 9-29-2021 at 02:45 PM

OK, thanks everyone! Next time I check out the area, I won't chicken out

-- Geoff

advrider - 9-29-2021 at 05:13 PM

I've been wanting to check that area out for a long time.

4x4abc - 9-29-2021 at 06:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Loose translation:

"To the general public

Anyone will be punished who is found with line (reels?), floats, or other objects from the fishing camps, due to things having been lost.

For this reason we're controlling all forms of acces to the camps. In order to enter, please advise the security people to access this road, please forgive the bother.

We want to avoid illicit operations in our work zone.

Thanks."

[Edited on 9-29-2021 by lencho]

short version - people have been stealing fishing equipment from the camps

4x4abc - 9-29-2021 at 07:13 PM

the dedicated road to Malarrimo beach is the most scenic drive

Attachment: 4x4 rural Malarrimo.kmz (8kB)
This file has been downloaded 285 times

the Pemex water road is the most adventurous - sand, sand, sand

Attachment: Malarrimo west route Pemex water.kmz (4kB)
This file has been downloaded 301 times

you could also just find your own (done it a few times)
will take a day or two to get to the beach

the road to El Queen is a good one too - one of my favorites (lotsa side trails)

Attachment: 4x4 rural Malarrimo.kmz (8kB)
This file has been downloaded 275 times

if you want to leave Malarrimo beach towards the east, there is a nice shortcut road at the last canyon

Attachment: 4x4 rural mining Malarrimo.kmz (2kB)
This file has been downloaded 241 times

geoffff - 9-29-2021 at 09:47 PM

Thanks 4x4abc! I had found "Malarrimo west route Pemex water.kmz" and "4x4 rural mining Malarrimo.kmz" myself by studying Google Earth.

I hadn't noticed "4x4 rural Malarrimo.kmz" though!

I think you missed uploading "dedicated road to Malarrimo beach" and instead uploaded "4x4 rural Malarrimo.kmz" twice.

geoffff - 9-29-2021 at 09:52 PM

Here is the water road where it crosses the main "dedicated" road at (GPS:27.7188,-114.4286). Sandy and desolate. The water pipe has tiny leaks that attract local thirsty bees.

[Edited on 9-30-2021 by geoffff]

4x4abc - 9-29-2021 at 10:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by geoffff

Thanks 4x4abc! I had found "Malarrimo west route Pemex water.kmz" and "4x4 rural mining Malarrimo.kmz" myself by studying Google Earth.

I hadn't noticed "4x4 rural Malarrimo.kmz" though!

I think you missed uploading "dedicated road to Malarrimo beach" and instead uploaded "4x4 rural Malarrimo.kmz" twice.

chit happens

Attachment: 4x4 rural Malarrimo road .kmz (18kB)
This file has been downloaded 282 times

[Edited on 9-30-2021 by 4x4abc]

Bajaboy - 9-30-2021 at 06:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by geoffff

Here is the water road where it crosses the main "dedicated" road at (GPS:27.7188,-114.4286). Sandy and desolate. The water pipe has tiny leaks that attract local thirsty bees.

[Edited on 9-30-2021 by geoffff]

We did this route and ended up losing the road. It was a long and frustrating day as we knew where the paved road was located but struggled getting to it. We also came across another group that was lost. I highly suggest using the road that goes to the right/west when you get to the fork in the arroyo. Road from Queen is good but sandy in spots.

4x4abc - 9-30-2021 at 06:57 AM

losing the road is the main ingredient of adventure

and I noticed - you did not bring enough time (or patience)

Bajaboy - 9-30-2021 at 07:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

and I noticed - you did not bring enough time (or patience)

David K - 9-30-2021 at 08:01 AM

LOL... I get Harald's humor. :biggrin:

dtbushpilot - 9-30-2021 at 08:24 AM

Many years ago we went there via the San Juan de Castro road. It was a fun adventure back then, I'm sure it still is. I wonder if those redwood logs are still there?
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=32808

[Edited on 9-30-2021 by dtbushpilot]

David K - 9-30-2021 at 08:30 AM

The road to Malarrimo Beach was first mentioned in the 1958 Lower California Guidebook. Gulick did not drive his Willys Wagon in to the beach so his map in the 1962 edition, showing the side road north, is only approximate.

When Mike McMahan made his first wall maps (not using Gulick's as he did in 1967) in 1972, he showed the big loop around the canyon.

advrider - 9-30-2021 at 05:51 PM

Awesome info everyone, this is will make a trip in the area so much better. Can't wait to try it out.

Udo - 10-1-2021 at 08:42 AM

The best EVER beachcombing in the world!

David K - 10-1-2021 at 08:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo

The best EVER beachcombing in the world!

Just ask Mike McMahan!

Be careful with a shovel!!! :

Mike's book (hardback 1973 and paperback 1983, with different title):

geoffff - 10-1-2021 at 09:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo

The best EVER beachcombing in the world!

Well, I wish I was there back in the 70s, or at least sometime before plastic.

I've been there a few times, and all the plastic bottles have been a bit of a downer.

-- Geoff

geoffff - 10-1-2021 at 09:46 AM

This is the most interesting thing I've found at Malarrimo:

willardguy - 10-1-2021 at 09:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by geoffff

This is the most interesting thing I've found at Malarrimo:

Willie Peter, these are whats responsible for the UFO's often seen between Rosarito and the Coronado's

on edit all we've ever found there is garbage :no:

[Edited on 10-1-2021 by willardguy]

TMW - 10-1-2021 at 03:28 PM

Several of us NOMADS did a trip that included going out to Malarrimo from San Jose de Castro in Jan. of 2015. At that time there were millions or close to it of flip flops, all colors and sizes take your pick.

Trip report on Baja Nomad
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=77391

David K - 10-1-2021 at 03:55 PM

Thanks Tom... Great to see 'The squarecircle' having fun with you guys!