BajaNomad

Mike's Sky Ranch to San Pedro Matir

bajagregg - 7-1-2022 at 01:00 PM

Hi All. I am planning a trip next month from Hwy 3 to Mike's Sky Ranch and then on to San Pedro Martir. Does anybody have a recent report on the road condition from Mike's to Baja Dark Skys and then on to the park access road?

David K - 7-1-2022 at 01:26 PM

Mike's to Dark Skies Inn is (still) 4WD, high clearance stuff from last reports I saw. Great high country!

Best to ask the people (Lucy) there (some links):
https://www.facebook.com/BajaDarkSkies
bajadarkskies@gmail.com
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/42315999

Bajazly - 7-1-2022 at 01:42 PM

I pre ran the Mikes section for the 500 last month and if you are heading up the hill out of Mikes it's pretty beat to hell. I never low ranged it on any section but certainly could have. Steep and rocky to the top but better from there to where you would turn off.

David K - 7-1-2022 at 02:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
I pre ran the Mikes section for the 500 last month and if you are heading up the hill out of Mikes it's pretty beat to hell. I never low ranged it on any section but certainly could have. Steep and rocky to the top but better from there to where you would turn off.


That sounds like the old main road south, via El Coyote?

There is the 'other road' (often used by Score) that goes east along the river before turning south towards Baja Dark Skies Inn (El Concepción on some maps). The road may be gated and locked at their property line so do contact the caretaker or owner of the Inn to make sure you can get through if you have a rock-crawler-type 4x4.

From the Inn to the Observatory highway, the road is good, re-bulldozed last November. It reaches the pavement at Km. 67+, about 17 kms up from the Meling Ranch road.

Udo - 7-1-2022 at 02:35 PM

I will second the beat up section of the road.
Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
I pre ran the Mikes section for the 500 last month and if you are heading up the hill out of Mikes it's pretty beat to hell. I never low ranged it on any section but certainly could have. Steep and rocky to the top but better from there to where you would turn off.

bajatrailrider - 7-1-2022 at 02:52 PM

If your in front of Mikes looking North . Go right east then south no go even hard on moto. Go Lt west out of Mikes very beat up but doable after hill climb rock pile. Few miles you will see road to Lt Going down hill into big trees. Stay to left dont take Rt side roads. The gate is locked before dark skys As david said try get hold of them If they will open gate. One third way but tuff one is from the way I told you past trees to stay LT . You do go Rt west then it heads south No gates. Takes you below Dark Sky to pavement. Not for full size 4x4

bajagregg - 7-1-2022 at 06:14 PM

Thanks everybody, I sure appreciate all this great feedback. I think I am going to skip this route since I am rolling solo in my 4wd SUV this trip. Happy travels to all!

bajatrailrider - 7-1-2022 at 08:49 PM

You made a good call could get in lot of problems there

bajatrailrider - 7-2-2022 at 07:32 AM

David I cant remember the abandon rancho below dark sky. I think its LA Joya was owned by Meling El Coyote .Then sold to other Melings they invested lot of money. Tried to make a camping fishing place. Wonder if any Nomads been on that route 4X4 or moto? From Mikes it comes out same road to get to Dark Sky. No locked gates I have not done it in years. Looking forward to run it from El Coyotes . As recently no more locked gate from Rancho Meling. Not sure if they where taken to court again. Or help walked off job anyway nice its open again.

David K - 7-2-2022 at 10:40 AM

Yes, La Joya and Dark Skies use the same road off the observatory highway. Great if you can get to La Joya from Mike's and bypass Dark Skies.

bajatrailrider - 7-3-2022 at 10:59 AM

Yes you can on my next run on Moto i will ck and report . If ok for 4 wheels years back . When rancho built new houses and invested money. They claim dark skies cut off most of there water ending there rancho. Only talk from one party so dont know if true.