David K
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LAS PINTAS PETRO & FOSSIL GROTTO 2005 (Part 1 of 2)
On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005...
A visit to the Las Pintas site, southeast of El Rosario (Baja Almanac Map 15, X-5).
This is another one of those great magic places Baja has so many of... A jumble of huge boulder in a box canyon, way off the beaten path of most
motorists.
Geologically, it is an exposure of ancient sea floor with many shell fish (clams, oysters, lobsters) petrified in the stone. A seasonal stream flows
through the rocks and waterfalls to the desert floor... A great photo is in Walt Petersen's The Baja Adventure Book (3rd edition, page 132) of the
waterfall. Alas, I have only visited in summer and it has been dry each time.
Indians must have found this a wonderfull place, with its many caves, crawlways, and hiding places... an ancient Disneyland! Petroglyphs adorn many
rock faces... Unfortunately, modern grafitti has also been added...
Fill you gas tank at Baja Cactus' Pemex, El Rosario and set your trip odometer to 0.0 and head south on Hwy. 1...
Pass the Km. 80 marker and note the clearing on your right, a battered road sign, and a graded road... Just ahead the highway makes a sharp curve
right an a second graded dirt road (joins the previous) turns off to the right at Mile 14.6 (just before Km. 81). GPS (NAD27): 30-01.59', 115-32.05'
Reset odometer for the dirt road portion. This is the graded road to Punta San Carlos (36 miles)... We go almost half way there.
The other road joins in from the right (this is the safer way to exit, on your way back)... and about 1/2 mile from Hwy. 1 you will see a dirt road
going to the right. This is an access to see a section of the El Camino Real, 1.4 miles away (details at http://vivabaja.com/1104/page5.html).
5.9 mi. from Hwy.1, 11 min. drive (Tacoma speed) the older road south from El Rosario joins in from the right... It has been graded in the past:
29-57.36', 115-34.21'.
Pass some ranching buildings... Emiliano Zapata in the Almanac... A road along the fence after the ranch, on the left may be the other route to Las
Pintas, as shown in the Almanac and described by Petersen... I will try it another time!
Pass through some cardons and note a small road to the left at Mile 17.4 (41 min. from Hwy. 1) or GPS 29-49.64', 115-28.42' TURN LEFT off the graded
road. IF you pass this, no worries... the next thing along the graded road will be a ranch house on the RIGHT... and a second road to Las Pintas turns
left and joins the first! The graded road will next cross Arroyo San Fernando... and you have gone way too far.
This minor road follows the San Fernando arroyo valley and passes three small ranchos (2 look abandoned), called Malvar in the Almanac. Then, the road
will make an 'S' turn and drop into the big arroyo at Mile 20.3 (2.9 miles from the graded road, 53 min. from Hwy. 1), GPS: 29-51.05', 115-26.59'
Just 0.6 mile more, at Mile 20.9 come to a possibly closed gate... please always re-close after passing through.
Mile 22.6 TURN LEFT, leaving Arroyo San Fernando (5.2 from graded road, 1:05 hrs. from Hwy. 1), GPS: 29-52.53', 115-25.22' Some brush will scratch
your rig in this side arroyo... not for Hummers!
Mile 22.8 TURN RIGHT, out of gully road (ahead leads to other access road mentioned above and parking on the top of Las Pintas, will check on another
trip). GPS is 29-52.69', 115-25.26' (5.4 mi. from graded road, 1:08 hrs. from Hwy. 1).
Mile 24.6 LAS PINTAS parking area. Take trail to the right leading up to the top, then work over to the other side and come back down... then go
straight in and enjoy the crawlways in the shade. GPS is 29-53.90', 115-24.48', elev. 755'. 7.2 miles from graded road and 1:17 hrs. from Hwy. 1.
Photo of graded Punta San Carlos road...
[Edited on 9-20-2005 by David K]
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David K
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The road, near Rancho Malvar leading up the Arroyo San Fernando valley (taken on my way out)...
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David K
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Arrived at Las Pintas...
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David K
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Lots of petros...
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David K
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more...
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David K
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Near the top...
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David K
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This was a billboard!
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David K
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Was this porno?
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David K
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Neat caves...
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David K
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Cardon looks like a big hand!
Continues on Part 2 (lots more photos): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=12897
[Edited on 9-20-2005 by David K]
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