yorm
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Hiking in Sierra de la Laguna
Hello,
Two friends and I are hoping to backpack up to La Laguna next week and I was wondering if anyone could help me with directions from Todos Santos. My
Moon handbook is a little light on the details.
Also, if anyone has general recommendations or advice on this hike I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!
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Osprey
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Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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How far do you wish to hike? Gonna stay overnight?
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yorm
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Thanks for the quick reply!
Yes - we're hoping to make it up to the meadow and camp overnight. My book describe it as 5-8 hours up, depending on your pace.
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Osprey
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If it was me I would drive to Santiago, have lunch with Sergio at the Palomar ask him to draw a map from Rancho San Dionisio to where you want to
camp. You can park at the last ranch on the San Dionisio road, pay the ranchero and he'll watch your car. It's all pretty, it's all good except
Henriette greened it all up, made lots of muddy cliffsides -- sooo cuidado.
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jackdan
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The easiest way up is to drive to La Burerra, leave your vehcile at the entrance and hike up. The turn off is about one mile south of Todos Santos and
is clearly marked with signs pointing to the Sierra de la Laguna. The hiking trail begins about a mile past the locked gate. From there to the meadow
is a 1200 meter gain over 10 km - fairly easy except for a couple of steep sections. some runners have made the trip in under two hours, but most
mortals need four to six hours. stop and enjoy the vistas. carry a couple of litres of water and stash another in your vehcile. there is potable water
on the meadow. take iot from the same source the ranchers use (follow the black hose) Don't try and walk in from San Dionisio. I was on the trail two
years ago and it was in tough shape. it hasn't been brushed in several years and is very sketchy in spots and easy to lose. In any event, it's 12-18
hours of hard walking from rancho san dionisio to the meadow, and a map is of no use. the only way to navigate the trails in the sierra (i know three
others and there are one or two more that i haven't walked yet) is by sight. happy trails!
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yorm
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Hey, thanks very much. If you don't mind, I have a few more questions:
Is La Burerra a village? Will it be obvious when we reach it?
Can you recommend a spot to camp once we reach the meadow or is just about anywhere good? Is it legal/acceptable to build a fire up there? I know
it's a protected area and wouldn't want to do any damage.
Thanks again.
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jackdan
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the sign says "ramal" and there are several small ranches tucked away near the arroyo, but it is not like the more established mountain villages like
el rosario. but it will be obvious when you arrive because the road ends at a locked gate. there is a small shelter at the entrance which is sometimes
staffed, but usually not. if there is someone there, they will ask for admission, 15 pesos a day, and give you a ticket. otherwise, carry on. it's
common to leave vehciles at the gate and i have not heard of any theft or vandalism. most campers stay on the meadow, which can get frosty at night
because the surrounding ridges trap trap and hold cold air in the valley. i have watched frost form on my sleeping bag after the sun set. for that
reason, i seek out camping spots on higher ground. In fair weather, the summit is good, but it can be breezy and there is barely room for two people.
the meadow has plenty of firewood and water. you need is a bag good to minus 5 and a ground sheet - unless it's raining. then you will need a tent or
tarp to stay dry.
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jackdan
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my hikes were made in winter, when it is likely to be dry and cooler, and started in early morning or in mid-afternoon. the idea is to avoid the
mid-day heat on the west face where there is little shade. the arroyo at la burerra will be running with Henrietta and all the creeks will be full.
approach shoes or trail runners are all you need, although a pole is nice - but remember that palo de arco is off limits. otherwise, firewood is
plentiful. a light, portable stove comes is handy for hot drinks or dehydrated food. the trail is in several distinct sections, starting from the
locked gate a sandy road follows the arroyo for a klick or so through an arcade of cactus, oak fragrant with palo de arco in bloom. A sign marks the
beginning of the climb over a steep foothill coursed with small streams. from the top of the ridge you can see the summit. it looks to be no more than
an hour away, but the fun is just starting. the trail decends to a small river to a large oak and a rest area, equipped with the skuzziest heads i've
ever seen. From that point it is up the naked west face, to another small oak grove. And up again a steep, narrow, and deeply eroded track to a summit
cloaked in pine. It lopes along a shaded ridge, the turns abruptly east and descends to the first valley. if you're out of water, this is the first
chance to refill. a trail branches off there for el picacho - a pleasant hike of about 5 km, through a mature forest of oak, pine, madrone and giant
yucca. the views are across the mountain range, to the Sea of Cortes. The main trail continues down to the second valley, a feature that you can
observe on goog earth.
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yorm
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Thanks again - this info will be very helpful. We leave for Baja tomorrow morning!
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