wilderone - 1-24-2022 at 03:57 PM
Going through my notes, I found that San Jose de Magdelena (inland between Santa Rosalia and Mulege) has a good little museum, the "best" graveyard,
and an arroyo where water runs all the time. I'm thinking it might be an interesting stop, and camp overnight near the water (for birdwatching)?
Does anyone have more information on this?
The next morning I'd like to see the San Borjitas (La Trinidad) cave paintings. Has anyone driven the road out to Rancho Las Tinajas recently and can
comment on condition (for a Honda CRV)?
David K - 1-25-2022 at 08:32 AM
Wish I had more for you, Cindi...
In 2019, we breezed through San José de Magdalena with only a brief stop at the cemetery. Next we took the road from Hwy. 1 (by Palo Verde) to San
Borjitas.
It was very fast and easy driving then (in Ford Raptors) all the way (18 miles in to Las Tinajas, from Km. 156). There, you pay the fee and get the
guide who will have you drive back a mile or so to the locked gate and then go a couple miles on a rougher road up the San Borjitas canyon. The final
1/4+ mile is a steep, rocky foot trail. It is so worth it, however!
La Trinidad is a different place and a different painted site, west from Mulegé (see the trip report from 'geoffff' who hiked in from above).
wilderone - 1-25-2022 at 11:07 AM
I was aware there were two sites, but I thought they were closer together in the same general area. And I see Las Tinajitas in both places. I
don’t see a Rancho Las Tinajas. So the easiest trip to do myself is the San Borjitas with no road issues? If the other trip is dicey for my car,
I’m willing to do a tour out of Mulege with the guide (I have that contact info). That tour also includes: “organic citrus farm, then you enter
the boundaries of the Rancho La Trinidad, which encompasses 5,500 beautiful acres and produces goat and cattle for cheese, milk, beef, and leather
products. The next stop is to explain and identify the various plants and cacti (some 400 years old) before continuing on to observe goat cheese
production, as well as the making of lassos and whips, and the process of tanning leather.” So I’m up for that.
This is the way - turnoff just about ½ mi. north of Palo Verde?
David K - 1-25-2022 at 02:08 PM
Palo Verde village is only 1/2 kilometer south of the San Borjitas road (you can see it).
The road is signed and right at the Km. 156 post.
Las Tinajas is a popular ranch name, they are all ranchos, and yes... two different places with the same name is pretty common in Mexico (La Bocana,
Agua Caliente, San Pedro, etc.).
La Trinidad is a bit rougher (I found) to get to (in 2017) compared to San Borjitas (in 2019). Flash floods change everything.
San Borjitas is by far a way way more impressive painted site.
wilderone - 1-25-2022 at 02:42 PM
Thanks a bunch, David.