Sierra de la Laguna

The road signed San Antonio de la Sierra was a nice drive... we went with Jimmy Smith way back in December of 2001. A good, graded road. Jimmy wanted to show us some güéribo trees after we saw the mill and oven of the Real de Santa Ana (California's oldest mine), also off that road. Km. 147:





[Edited on 1-26-2022 by David K]

From Santiago, you can go north once in town - you'll see many signs at the junction - left, right, straight. There is a sign for San Dionisio (straight), which is the last point for further excursion into Sierra de la Laguna (maybe 12 mi. from the junction). You could also go left - to Sol de Mayo - and start hiking from there. Looks like Santa Amalia is another 3 miles past Sol de Mayo - end of the road. I went to Sol de Mayo in a standard sedan. I have notes from a truck transverse of Sierra de la Laguna - started off Mex. 1 at a sign "Presa La Palma" which is north of San Bartolo. It's 33 mi. on that route to Mex. 19 on the other side (reported took about 3 hrs). I have more info on this route if you want it.

there are hundreds of trails crossing Sierra La Laguna
only 2 are drivable -
Los Naranjos
Los Potrerillos/Valle Perdido

pretty much all organized hiking concentrates on reaching La Laguna, a 5,700 ft mountain meadow
the 2 classic east routes are from Santiago/San Dionisio and San Antonio de la Sierra/La Victoria

the farthest you can get into Sierra La Laguna with a car is the San Antonio de la Sierra route to Rancho San Venancio - 38 km
that same road takes you to the Rancho La Victoria hiking starting point

I just visited the ranch people at Rancho San Venancio
it is a 6 hour pavement to pavement trip (km 147)
some very steep grades on lose ground

the Los Potrerillos/Valle Perdido crossing also starts at km 147
very scenic route
about 4 hours from km 147 on MEX1 to km 17 on MEX 19
allow time for exploring the mine ruins at Valle Perdido



Teresa at San Venancio



some of the canyons have jungle like vegetation

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

I have notes from a truck transverse of Sierra de la Laguna - started off Mex. 1 at a sign "Presa La Palma" which is north of San Bartolo. It's 33 mi. on that route to Mex. 19 on the other side (reported took about 3 hrs). I have more info on this route if you want it.