ChrisLaPaz
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Registered: 2-13-2024
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Gates and private property
I ride around the area outside of La Paz on my motorcycle frequently in rather remote areas. I come across a lot of roads on the map that are signed
as private property or have a gate across them, some locked others not.
I’ve read on the forum about going through gates as long as you close them behind you but I’ve only done that once when I came to a gate and
fencing 50 meters from the highway where I was headed. Otherwise, I’ve felt like I should respect people’s property and turn back or try to find
another route.
So, I was wondering about the etiquette concerning crossing private property. I don’t want to invade people’s privacy or pee someone off at some
remote Rancho.
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bajatrailrider
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I have been riding Baja since the 80s if no lock on gate and no sign. I pass gate if up close it same. Once passing by If I see rancho house I stop.
Asl if Ok tell them Im local in my case. Baja on east side Highway 1 . Most gates are locked but I have the keys and Ok
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geoffff
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I go through gates (leaving them as I found them) that don't say keep out or private property. There are lots of gates that are just there to keep the
cows in/out.
I do this in rural USA as well if I know I am on public land.
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David K
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Quote: Originally posted by geoffff  | I go through gates (leaving them as I found them) that don't say keep out or private property. There are lots of gates that are just there to keep the
cows in/out.
I do this in rural USA as well if I know I am on public land. |
Yes!
Unsigned and unlocked gates are for animal control.
Sometimes gates get locked, but don't remain that way... like this locked gate going to Mission San Fernando (in 2019) which was open in 2025... the
whole area was abandoned last trip.
[We had permission and a key, for filming America Unearthed 'Vikings in the Desert' https://vivabaja.com/p219/ ]
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bajatrailrider
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Same here David some gates only locked when cows there.
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ChrisLaPaz
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Thanks all. Thats kinda what I assumed but wanted to confirm.
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David K
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You must do what is comfortable for you and each situation can be different from another. Smiles and a good-guest attitude work well, I have
experienced.
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4x4abc
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gates are the new Baja
around La Paz and Los Cabos not much is left open to the public
I talked to many ranchers over the years
they did not mind people passing through
has been that way for hundreds of years
they did not mind visitors
they loved visitors
then the fast, disrespectful hobby racers appeared
first the MCs, then the ATVs
the SXSs broke the camel's back
the recent flood of campers is not helping
the ranchers are outright angry when they see Gringos
even popular Playa Puertito at Agua Verde has a gate now.
It is not locked yet - but it is big and strong,
designed to keep people out
I started recording the gates about 10 years ago
Harald Pietschmann
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lencho
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Not surprising; in my opinion, they've been exceedingly patient.
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is, by how stupid he thinks I
am."
"...they were careful of their demeanor that they not be thought to have opinions on what they heard for like most men skilled at their work they
were scornful of any least suggestion of knowing anything not learned at first hand."
Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses
"Be kind, be patient, help others." -- Isabel Allende
"My gas stove identifies as electric." Anonymous
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Don Jorge
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| Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc | gates are the new Baja
around La Paz and Los Cabos not much is left open to the public
I talked to many ranchers over the years
they did not mind people passing through
has been that way for hundreds of years
they did not mind visitors
they loved visitors
then the fast, disrespectful hobby racers appeared
first the MCs, then the ATVs
the SXSs broke the camel's back
the recent flood of campers is not helping
the ranchers are outright angry when they see Gringos |
Can relate to these observations. Too many self entitled people with too much money and little to no understanding of what locals, what Baja ranchers
live like day to day, year to year, generation to generation.
In Baja there are still places untouched with no gates, no fences. Many are on the Pacific side and most are best or only accessed involving some
transit on the Pacific ocean. The great Pacific has a way of separating the men with tools from the boys with toys.
No one we know is sharing these places ever again on social mediocracy. We swap stories using an old fashioned telephone call, person to person or
over and around a campfire.
To answer the OP, we dinosaurs were taught to leave gates, and everything else if possible, exactly as we found them.
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"Until a person learns to respect nature and talk to the animal world, he will never know his true role on Earth." Enzo Mallorca
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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bajatrailrider
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc | gates are the new Baja
around La Paz and Los Cabos not much is left open to the public
I talked to many ranchers over the years
they did not mind people passing through
has been that way for hundreds of years
they did not mind visitors
they loved visitors
then the fast, disrespectful hobby racers appeared
first the MCs, then the ATVs
the SXSs broke the camel's back
the recent flood of campers is not helping
the ranchers are outright angry when they see Gringos
even popular Playa Puertito at Agua Verde has a gate now.
It is not locked yet - but it is big and strong,
designed to keep people out
In Baja on beach side its because baja races .They never repair roads. East side always locked gates I asked ranchos
why? Cattel rustlers we ride motos ,sxs,pre runners. We do not tear up the place or drive like the Mexicans do. With me having the keys to so many
ranchos one owner told me. A Mexican you now have keys . I dont ever want to see any machine with GPS . Most important dont ever bring Mexicans on
your rides  |
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