PaulW
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Sand dunes trip
On Friday a bunch of us drove to La Ventana north of San Felipe and stopped at the window then proceeded to the sand dunes. We do this trip every year
and noted that while there a few flowers on the dunes the area was noticeably dryer than the San Felipe area. Huge contrast for San Felipe to the area
north.
The pic shows the barren hills at the parking place for the window. The dunes had slightly more vegetation.
 
[Edited on 1-13-2019 by PaulW]
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4x4abc
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one of my favorite areas
and my favorite flowers
https://tinyurl.com/y92uj6fg
Harald Pietschmann
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Pacifico
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Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  | On Friday a bunch of us drove to La Ventana north of San Felipe and stopped at the window then proceeded to the sand dunes. We do this trip every year
and noted that while there a few flowers on the dunes the area was noticeably dryer than the San Felipe area. Huge contrast for San Felipe to the area
north.
The pic shows the barren hills at the parking place for the window. The dunes had slightly more vegetation.
[Edited on 1-13-2019 by PaulW] |
What is "The window"? A hole in a rock or something?
Nice pics, Harald!
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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PaulW
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The window (La Ventana) is about 10'x10'. A short hike with lots of loose rock.
 
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Pacifico
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Nice... thanks, Paul!
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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David K
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Nice photo!
The original La Ventana (so they say) was a window rock that looked south to the mountain at San Felipe.
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PaulW
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David. So how I have located two of the windows on ridge lines near La Ventana. I have only documented the one above so far. Turns out there are many
of these holes, but most of them are not close to a ridge line and while I have pics of quite a few, I have discounted them all. My ground rule is I
have to see sky to make one real.
I never got around to finding either Bruce Barber's or the historical window. Access to Bruce's window is blocked by the pipeline without a long hike,
so I have approached from the other side of the ridge. Anyway I do not think his window has merit, but I will eventually look again.
Maybe I should put my search back on my to do list and do further investigation. The issue of finding the historical window is the new road ruined the
easy access, however Friday I noted that the storms have removed the fences and access via the wash will be possible.
For the curious reader David and I are writing about the historical Gerhard & Gulick report (1956).
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David K
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Thanks Paul... I sure appreciate your sharing the explorations with us here. I also am glad I am not the only Nomad who likes to find places mentioned
in old books to see what they look like today!
| Quote: Originally posted by PaulW |
For the curious reader David and I are writing about the historical Gerhard & Gulick report (1956). |
I am fortunate to have all five editions of the Lower California Guidebook. The fifth edition (1975) was retitled 'Baja California Guidebook' and Walt
Wheelock (of La Siesta Press fame, and other Baja books he wrote) did the revisions to include the new paved roads and other changes in Baja.
So, I checked the earlier editions (1956, 1958, 1962, 1967) and it wasn't until the 3rd edition that La Ventana was mentioned. Perhaps because the gas
station was built after 1958 and before 1962? In any case, Gulick learned about the history of the name and found the location it came from and added
it to his road log. I scanned that portion of the book (see below) and for the Nomads who don't have this great book from the '50s and '60s, you can
see a sample of Howard Gulick's great work. He drew the maps, as well. Mile 74.4 from Mexicali, 1.7 miles from the La Ventana gas station (no longer a
gas station). The Pole Line Road is also described here in the 3rd edition >>>
The 1962 3rd Edition Lower California Guidebook by Howard Gulick and Peter Gerhard
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PaulW
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I just checked my book is 1967 4th edition with notes. That edition was the only one found on the web.
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David K
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It's a great book, over 50 years after it was published. Gulick is one of my "Baja heroes"... I was lucky to have met him (I was about 8).
The third edition (1962) had a second printing in 1964. The fourth edition (1967) was identicle to the third other than update notes added. That's how
I learned about Montevideo. There was also a second printing of the 4th edition in 1970.
With all the new road and highway construction in the late 60s and early 70s it was deemed a total rewrite was in order. Howard was not up to all that
effort but a fellow Baja author who also worked with Howard at the City of Glendale was, Walt Wheelock. When Walt was finished researching, Howard
took the manuscript and checked it in Baja before it was printed.
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Barry A.
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Wonderful pictures!!!!
You mention "dust" inside your vehicle as being annoying. I close all the windows, and turn up the heater fan to max. with the heat turned off and
the "outside air" selected, and WALA, no dust inside at all if no dust blowing around outside. If it gets stuffy, turn on some AC too. I have a
pass-through from cab to small camper and this described procedure even keeps the camper dust free. It's called "positive air pressure" inside the
vehicle.
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PaulW
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Some Pics from the Ventana dunes trip
 
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bajatrailrider
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How was this run Paul tuff or easy or? Looks like fun
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fishbuck
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Looke easy in a Jeep
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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PaulW
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Full throttle in any 4x4 with low tire pressure works (4 High for speed). The Suzuki did not have enough HP at the top steep place and the others that
went around did not low tire pressures (no ability to re-inflate).
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