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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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 Now you went and gave away my treasure location! The lost pearl ship of
the desert didn't beach itself in Laguna Salada or the Salton Sink!!! Yup Shell Island is the real Treasure Island!
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3823
Registered: 2-9-2004
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"Currently the mine past El Volcan, La Olividada, has been activated and there is all sorts of activity from Rt. 1 all the way to the onyx mine and
beyond. The effect of this is that, on one hand, the road beyond the onyx mine may be much improved but, on the other hand, you might get run over by
some giant truck on the way."
These posts from the past are history now. The effect of the road paving for trucks and machinery to work the Olividada mine has mercilessly changed
the terrain, adding dirt berms to either side, high dirt berms that block two-track roads that you can't get to now, there are trucks and hoses
sucking water out of the spring water pools, roads to the pools where none were before - only picturesque occotillo and elephant trees; the camp sites
at the intersection with the pools are obliterated and/or blocked with dirt berms (who'd want to camp there now anyway with huge, noisy trucks
rumbling by kicking up dust); there are pictographs and "sleeping circles" in this area - so much for protecting historically sensitive areas. Once a
fascinating destination for naturalists, campers and explorers - now a disappointment. My consolation is that I spent a few days here on 3 different
occasions and have wonderful memories.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yep, and some will say nothing about the Mexican road builders but harp on a few motorbike riders using a trail that has been obliterated in other
areas by such bulldozers! 
Cindi, when was your last time in Arroyo El Volcan?
I know you have a AWD Subaru and were there before the trip described above. In our larger 4WD trucks, there was no problem driving into the wash from
the new grading and berms created by it.
Thank you... El Volcan has been one of my favorite Baja spots to visit since my first time in 1974.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3823
Registered: 2-9-2004
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I was there a couple years ago - I was going to hike to the Rancho Elbeau site and post a sign; appalled at the destruction at El Volcan - wasn't even
able to park off the main road they made because of the dirt berm; then turned around and left. I took photos and posted here.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3823
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Here's the link
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=58676#pid7034...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks Cindi...
We may not like graded or paved roads and mining in our fun places to visit once a year or two, but Mexico needs to do what it needs to do, and it is
their country. It would be nice if the Valle de los Cirios was a preserve of some sort, but other than lots of signs, I am not sure how good a job the
government there is doing to preserve Baja's Natural wonders?
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3823
Registered: 2-9-2004
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"but Mexico needs to do what it needs to do, and it is their country"
How many are profiting from the Olividada mine operations? Is it worth the destruction of historical places? the ruination of valuable animal watering
holes? Mowing down flora that is hundreds of years old? And in the same area, families from El Rosario have chopped down countless agave to sell to
landscapers. I have personally witnessed and talked to these people - piles of agave stalks loaded into trucks. Do the Olividada miners own the
agave? The road to the mine? Is it theirs to perpetually change?
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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I knew DavidK was looking for the Lost Dutchman's mine. The whole mission thing was just a cover story.
"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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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  | "but Mexico needs to do what it needs to do, and it is their country"
How many are profiting from the Olividada mine operations? Is it worth the destruction of historical places? the ruination of valuable animal watering
holes? Mowing down flora that is hundreds of years old? And in the same area, families from El Rosario have chopped down countless agave to sell to
landscapers. I have personally witnessed and talked to these people - piles of agave stalks loaded into trucks. Do the Olividada miners own the
agave? The road to the mine? Is it theirs to perpetually change? |
The agaves are not for landscapers, they are not all dug up for replanting. They are for the shampoo and beauty industry! It is a shame they are not
harvesting from plantations but instead from the back country... again the "so-called" Valle de los Cirios reserve!
Some photos I took back in 2006, near Los Martires/ El Arenoso, east of El Rosario... note the caption, from http://vivabaja.com/406
Yucca trees are being chopped out of the desert for the cosmetic/ personal care industry.
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4289
Registered: 4-24-2009
Location: La Paz, BCS
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Mood: happy - always
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let's not forget the illegal charcoal pits - thousands of ancient mesquite trees are turned into BBQ fuel for backyard adventurers
Baja is not only raped by real estate developers
Harald Pietschmann
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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nor the Gringos driving across the desert complaining about the Mexicans
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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how ironic....if a reserve like the biosphere was set up...David could not drive in the Desert or on the beach.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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You really have nothing better to do than follow me around and talk smack? You are involved in off road racing but have some issue with a few people
on a casual desert ride... really?
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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yes. way better things to do than follow you around. went fishing, caught a couple of nice corvina...then went for a quad ride. what did you do
besides play with yourself. You absolutely do not get it (surprise, surprise)... lets hope that mexico saves there desert for more than a few
gringos wanting a play ground.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3823
Registered: 2-9-2004
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There are several biosphere preserves. The SCORE people drive through them. A pristine desert environment is more than a playground - and such a
place is for everyone to enjoy, regardless of nationality. It is the responsibility of the people where it is situated to be responsible stewards of
the land.
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paulb87
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 12-28-2007
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Elite.... Grow up and play with yourself.... your comments are nothing more than schoolyard bullying.... feliz navidad
Gringo from Canada...Hola Amigos
2007.5 Dodge Ram 6.7 Cummins Power
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Hi Paul, and welcome to Baja Nomad. It can be tough here. The Elite part is the Nomad User Rank, the person's Nomad name is just above that. Now you
can grow your numbers not only posting about Baja, but by following others here and making comments about what they post!
Newbie 0 Posts
Junior Nomad * 25 Posts
Nomad ** 100 Posts
Senior Nomad *** 500 Posts
Super Nomad **** 1000 Posts
Ultra Nomad ***** 2000 Posts
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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Ahhhh the hen house grows.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by wilderone | | There are several biosphere preserves. The SCORE people drive through them. A pristine desert environment is more than a playground - and such a
place is for everyone to enjoy, regardless of nationality. It is the responsibility of the people where it is situated to be responsible stewards of
the land. |
yes there are. and you must get permission to drive through them. This year SCORE did not get final approval to go through the Vizcaino biosphere and
is facing a large fine. I suspect they will now have even more problems next time.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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How does "permission" change anything... the vehicles (SCORE or general public) still driving on dirt roads... ??
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