David K
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Baja Weekend: Shell Island & Matomi Canyon (Part 2 of 3)
Continued from Part 1 at http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=17882
Sunday morning, after breakfast at Marina's (Km. 35, Ejido Delicias... see Restaurant Review forum, later) we headed south for Arroyo Matomi, which
crosses Hwy. 5 about 10 miles north of Puertecitos/ 45 miles south of San Felipe.
The new pavement ended just beyond the entrance to El Coloradito, after the highway curves inland and heads for higher ground.
The Matomi road is also the San Felipe 250 race course and is very chewed up sand/ gravel... Suggest 4WD and de-aired tires... mine at 25 PSI.
Mile 0.0: Leave Hwy. 5 at (GPS NAD27) 30-29.78', 114-39.99', elev. 112'.
Mile 12.1: Junction north to Llanos de San Fermin and on to the area near the sulfur mine, on the north side of Arroyo Matomi: 30-29.78', 114-50.12',
elev. 736'.
Mile 27.2: Junction with the road north to Valle Chico and San Felipe: 30-29.63', 115-01.52', elev. 1,937'. This is the route we took out...
Just east of the above junction is a fork... going in we went straight, but found it a tad difficult with many exsposed big rocks... returning we
tried the left branch and it was better... going in, it curves over to the left side of the arroyo, briefly heading downstream, which makes it seem
like a wrong choice.
Mile 32.3 Rancho Matomi: 30-27.40', 115-04.82', elev. 2,466'
It was again occupied by Rene and another cowboy. Rene claimed to be the owner and knew Rodrigo who we met here in 2001... said he was an employee of
his. Anyway, we offered them cold Pacificos and they invited us to park right there and enjoy the oasis pool in the gorge just below.
A new corral was made, and the short trail to the oasis pool is now reached by walking around the far side of the big corral. The trail that decends
right below the ranch house can be used, but is longer with some boulder hopping.
Baja Angel and I had a nice dip in the clear, refreshing water... the air temp. was 115 degrees, by the way. The water fall had less flow than I had
seen before... but it was 'working'!
The trip north with road log to San Felipe will follow, later today...
Here's the lower Matomi arroyo, not far from Hwy. 5...
NOTE: PHOTOS on new web page: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum1/618
[Edited on 9-24-2006 by David K]
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David K
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Elizabeth and I with a blooming smoke tree in the background...
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David K
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Interesting cliff is passed shortly after exiting the lower Matomi canyon...
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David K
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A large inland desert lies between the lower Matomi canyon and the Matomi narrows...
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David K
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Nearing the Matomi Narrows...
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David K
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Hence the name 'Narrows'... about 25 miles east of Hwy. 5...
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David K
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Rancho El Matomi...
My first time here was in 1978, and an old fellow with the name Tomas Dowling was the resident.
In 2001, we met Rodrigo from Sonora... a Yaqui Indian working for the land owner.
This trip we met Rene who was that owner.
Of interest, I have been communicating with a fellow from Mexicali named Julio who claimed to have bought the land here... even sent me photos of his
wife and he, fixing up the ranch house. He is hoping to turn it into a hunting lodge... lot's of big horn in the area! Julio also owns Rancho Cimarron
near Laguna Hanson...
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David K
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The reason for the long, tough trip...
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David K
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Another new place Baja Angel has heard so much about, she finally gets to see!
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David K
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When I continue, I will have photos of the road out, via Valle Chico... STAY TUNED!
Here is the link to Part 3: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=17900
[Edited on 6-21-2006 by David K]
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leadmoto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
When I continue, I will have photos of the road out, via Valle Chico... STAY TUNED! |
Thanks for sharing your trip. It's always a good read.
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Debra
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Thanks for the great report David, must be nice to live so close that you can do all these weekend trips......at least I get to read about them.
Thanks again!
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Bob H
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Great report David. Wow, not much water flowing and not much water in the pool area. All of that area was under water when we all went there a few
years ago.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
Great report David. Wow, not much water flowing and not much water in the pool area. All of that area was under water when we all went there a few
years ago. |
It was Feb. 2004 Bob... Here you are on the far left of our group photo...
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