Jake
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 5-24-2007
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Mountain Biking Baja
I am planning a mountain bike across baja, with some carrying of the bike due to terrain. My general route of travel is across Laguna Salada, up
Guadalupe pass, San Luis, north of Lake Hansen, Pantelones, San Pedro, San Juan, El Chapo, Santa Clara, Italia, La Zorra, La Casita, La Mission,
Does anyone have any advice about tranversing this area? (friendliness of ranchos, camping availability, water sources, animals, satellite phone
coverage, terrain, etc.?)
Any helpful hints would be appreciated.
Jake
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Do a Nomad search on Rancho San Luis, posted by 'Baja Cat'... and perhaps posts by 'jide' (who negotiated the trail down into Guadalupe Canyon)... Not
for mountain bikes!!
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1335
Registered: 9-2-2006
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Lots of good trails in the hills around Los Barilles and a local champ (try the barman at Playa del Sol for details).
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 2-9-2004
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A lot of that area in Sierra Juarez is fenced, and at the sides of the dirt roads, due to periodic grading, is mounded loose dirt. This necessitates
you ride more in the middle of the road, and of course, vehicles regularly use these roads so you'll have that hazard. It's also agriculture land
after you come out of the mountains, so trucks will be kicking up the dust. It's a loooonng downhill ride coming out of the mountains, so that would
be fun, but in some places, because it is downhill, rainwater flows create erosions across the road - sometimes deep. Water is available at stream
crossings and there are little outposts near ranches that sell basics, and at each little puebla on the map will have some place to buy water.
Camping is great in the Sierra Juarez, but again, a lot of fencing so you can't just pull over anytime you want. There are a lot of dirt roads off
the main road that lead, Lord knows where, but afford an exit spot so you don't have to navigate thorough the dense mesquite. Once near the small
agriculture pueblas, camping opportunities won't be so available because it's more populated and private property. There aren't any animals except a
few deer in the higher elevations, and the occasional coyote and squirrels. You might consider starting in the National Park instead of climbing the
pass. IMO, lugging a bicycle through a boulder-strewn pass might prove problematic.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18404
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Jake
I am planning a mountain bike across baja, with some carrying of the bike due to terrain. My general route of travel is across Laguna Salada, up
Guadalupe pass, San Luis, north of Lake Hansen, Pantelones, San Pedro, San Juan, El Chapo, Santa Clara, Italia, La Zorra, La Casita, La Mission,
Does anyone have any advice about tranversing this area? (friendliness of ranchos, camping availability, water sources, animals, satellite phone
coverage, terrain, etc.?)
Any helpful hints would be appreciated.
Jake |
I would recommend you cross via San Pedro Martir. The road from the park to the pacific coast has very little traffic, and some dirt road
alternatives exist. There are two canyons you could backpack your bike up or down the eastern escarpment (probably could not ride some sections).
One canyon is located south of Pichacho del diablo (cant remember name), but I think it has some stock trails in part of the canyon. Other canyon is
located north of park, it angles northeastward (cant remember name of canyon) and appears to have stock trails down the canyon for much of it.
An adventure endurance race (hike,, bike, kayak) periodically does a route across Baja via the park. If you ask them, maybe you could get a route map
for their bike route.
I recommend you hike the canyons on the east escarpment, and have someone shuttle your bikes via car.
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