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TMW
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Here is a piece on La Trinidad from 2017.
http://www.hiddencorners.com.mx/cave
I believe there was an article on La Trinidad recently in the Discover Baja newsletter or maybe the Bajabound newsletter. I see if I can find it.
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David K
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January 2019 Baja Bound article by Nomad 'GregN': https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajafever/bajas_col...
Canyon de Trinidad, Mulegé
Farther to the south, in the mountains west of Mulegé, are several cave paintings notably in the Cañon de Trinidad. Mulegé hotels can hook you up
with a local guide, Salvador Castro or Ciro Cuesta to name two. Back in 2000, I set off one Sunday morning while unsettling rain clouds lingered on
the mountaintops.
I followed a good graded dirt road through suburbs of the tropical village of Mulegé, past palm groves, farms, orchards and ranches, up through
desert into the mountains on a marked road to San Eustancio. Just past a compact little rancho turn left at a small sign to “Rancho Trinidad.”
That last mile or so of the 17-mile journey from town is rougher and requires high clearance vehicles. There is one cattle gate which you must open
and then close behind you. Soon you arrive at a rustic rancho on a bluff with a magnificent view to the south, from a verdant valley to steep
mountains. In every direction are high rocky peaks dappled with green and white palo blanco trees perched on improbable overhangs and looking like
white-stemmed bunches of broccoli clinging tenaciously to steep hillsides.
Rancho Trinidad at road’s end has plenty of water, including a large cistern you could swim in, numerous trees and cattle. It is owned by a Santa
Rosalía doctor and managed by Placido Castro and his wife Armida Arce de Castro who raised four children during the 22 years they’ve been there.
I signed the official register, paid the minimal fee, and set off afoot with Placido. There are two cave painting sites in the Cañon de Trinidad
behind the rancho, one is about a 1½-mile round-trip on a good trail with some boulder hopping, and the other is about a three-hour round-trip from
the rancho.
Heading for the closer site, we crossed a makeshift dam and numerous pools of water. The steep canyon walls speckled with greenery gave the place an
ethereal look, like a set out of a “Lost Horizon” movie. Rounding a bend, we came to a cave the early people had obviously used for lodging.
Across the creek, a couple of locations offered some outstanding examples of cave art.
The murals included outlines of hands and many animals, including fish, deer and smaller game. One scene looked like a stag mounting a doe, denoting
the early people’s attention to animal husbandry. There was a hunter dancing in jubilation over the slain deer at his feet. There were even arrows
protruding from a human figure reminding current viewers of man’s affinity for warfare.
On the trail back and around the rancho are other reminders of early man’s time spent in the area. There are several wonderful petroglyphs etched
into boulders, and metates used for grinding grain.
Armida had been busy in her detached and open kitchen while we were gone. In true Baja hospitality, she offered me some machaca (dried beef). Imagine
the contrast with stepping out of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and being accosted by a vendor of over-priced hot dogs.
Forget the Louvre, the Prado, the Getty or the Met. The cave paintings of Baja California are wonderfully displayed in nature’s own magnificent art
gallery.
[Edited on 1-23-2019 by David K]
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TMW
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This is from Discover Baja and was in their 2018 Nov. Bulletin.
La Trinidad
Location: Sierra de Guadalupe, West of Mulegé, BCS
Why We Love It: This is another cave painting site that can be visited from Mulegé in a day trip, either venturing out on your own or by hiring a
guide from Mulegé.
What it’s Famous for: The paintings feature a collection of animal depictions, including a famous painting of a large orange deer with a
checkerboard pattern. The deer is a recurring theme in prehistoric rock art throughout Baja and the La Trinidad deer is known for being the best
example of the motif.
How to Visit: Visiting the cave paintings requires a permit from INAH and hiring a local guide. Guides can be hired from Mulegé or at Rancho La
Trinidad, located 29 kilometers west of Mulegé. The ranch can be reached by car and from there you will hike in with a guide to the cave paintings.
Most travelers hire a guide from Mulegé for the sake of convenience. For a guide from Mulegé, try Salvador Castro Drew (tel. 615/153-0232, cell tel.
615/103-5081, mulegetours@hotmail.com) or Ciro Cuesta (tel. 615/153-0566, cell tel. 615/106-8892)
DBTC Insider Tip: There are two groups of paintings at La Trinidad. It’s about a 45-minute hike to get to the first set and an extra hour to get to
the second set. Many guides only take visitors to the first set, so inquire ahead of time when making arrangements if you want to see both sets of
paintings.
Getting to La Trinidad cave paintings used to require a rigorous excursion of swimming through gorges and multiple river crossings. Since Hurricane
Odile in September 2014, the trek has been dry, but conditions could change at any time so be sure to inquire ahead of time.
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HeyMulegeScott
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Thanks, guys!
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HeyMulegeScott
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San Borjitas Cave paintings were awesome.
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