cymeryss
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 12-20-2004
Location: San Diego
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Mood: So much to see, so little time...
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Matomi Canyon - 04/01
I figured I will post a short trip report, since I have asked several of you questions on the Puertocitos to SF beach drive, and also wanted to share
my experiences. So here ya go.
We left for Matomi from SD around 3pm, and with all of the stops got to the beach around 9pm. We camped out past Los Olivos in one of the arroyos
(30?30.158, 114?38.205). Definitely needed to deflate to pass through some of the sand dunes but nothing a 4wd 4runner won't handle. On the way we
probably got 5 minutes of rain (drizzle) between Mexicali and SF, but once we got to the camp it all cleared up and the weather was great until the
end. We left around 8am and headed for one of the arroyos north of "The Well" in order to get on the Baja racetrack that follows the Matomi bed. The
road to Matomi ranch is approx. 33 miles, and it leads through couple of narrower canyons but also travels through many sand washes and 4WD is
recommended. Since it was just my finance, myself and our dog I would definitely not go with 2WD and chance getting stuck. From the junction which
heads north to valle Chico the 'road' becomes more gravel/rock like and in my opinion provides a better drive.
We got to the Matomi ranch around 12 or so. Except a black dog, two horses, and several cows nobody else there. The road looks like nobody has
traveled on it for at least couple of days. We were able to continue further for maybe .25 of a mile and camped at (30?27.344, 115?05.258). We
packed and went down to the canyon to hike as far as we could until dawn. Unfortunately, my better half could not stand too much rock climbing and
being scratched by bushes and all sorts of thing so we did not get very far. We got to (30?27.053, 115?06.043) for those interested. On the other
hand, our dog could not go any further as well, and he is still tired (laying in his bed all day) up till now. We got back from the hike and spent
the night at the camp, taking a nice cold swim in the night and the morning at one of the larger pools.
Traveling back took us 3 hours, so it averages about 11mph. From there we hit the beach and campo Christina and took a beach drive all the way to
Laguna percebu. It was definitely worth it and I have to say that maybe 1 out of 10 houses is occupied at the moment. What a waste!!!
Anyways, I will post some pictures later on, and thanks for all of the info on attractions. The road to Matomi is very similar to the Parral (fence)
road although in my opinion much more interesting. Matomi ranch/canyon area is definitely worth going to, very beautiful, and I will go up there
again (leave my lady with $100 bucks at home) and actually try hitting Matomi peak. Maybe the hike from La Huerita is easier. Alright back to work
and planning my next trip.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
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Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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Thanks Canyon Hiker! Glad you had a good time.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64946
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks for the trip report...
Getting to Matomi is one of my favorite off road trips from our camps south of San Felipe...
The first Baja Internet group campout and off road caravan was over President's Day weekend, 2001: http://vivabaja.com/matomi
Our caravan heading toward's Matomi via Valle Chico from El Camote's place (that's elgatoloco on his camper, Diablo moutain in the distance):
My son and I were the only ones brave enough to swim in the icy water!
A reunion campout and Matomi caravan happened President's Day weekend, 2004: http://vivabaja.com/204
Our caravan near the sulfur mine, as we used Ca?ada el Parral and lower Valle Chico to reach Matomi's oasis... (both times we exited via Arroyo Matomi
to Mex. 5):
The oasis pool below the ranch house:
This time it was GeoRock who jumped in!!!
Our group at Matomi ranch, 2-04:
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Roberto
Banned
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Registered: 9-5-2003
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The man just posted a trip report - why does that require pictures from YOUR trip(s)? Pictures that have been posted umpteen times, by the way? Is
this the DavidK channel? All David, all the time? 
David, once again, get a clue!
And, cymeryss, thanks for the trip report!
[Edited on 4-5-2006 by Roberto]
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Your recent GPS post was the first good one I have seen here, in fact. I was holding out high expectations that you were going to start posting Baja
travel info, like me, for a change! |
Oh, something to aspire to in my old age!
And, as I have tried to explain to you before, my name is not Robert - or are you having trouble spelling that as well.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Great pics, David--------
----thanks for posting them so that we might remember Matomi-----it has been several years since I have been there. I am guessing that there are many
who have not seen them before, and who have never been to the upper reaches of Matomi Wash.
Keep up the good work.
Barry
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I was looking at El Camote's vidio of that trip a couple days ago - about time ho head up there again.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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BOLABOUND
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 1-25-2006
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Mood: wish I was lost in deep BAJA
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Thanks David for the pics I didnt know what it looked like and I cannt wait to see more pics from cymeryss...
Some people are just born to rip others.....
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Az/Ca/Baja
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great shot of the pools...I bet they feel good on a hot day
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cymeryss
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 12-20-2004
Location: San Diego
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Mood: So much to see, so little time...
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Thanks for all of the the great reponses regarding my trip. Here are a couple of shots from the trip, I have plenty but can't include them all in
this post. Hope you guys like them.
Camp view from the canyon:
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cymeryss
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 12-20-2004
Location: San Diego
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Mood: So much to see, so little time...
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Some animal shots from the ranch and arroyo matomi drive:
Brothers?????
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Tomas Tierra
Super Nomad
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Location: oxnard, ca
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Ok... in the cow photo, is that a yucca stalk or.....
Great photos!!! sounds like a great trip!!
What a beutiful area...
And yes, seen the DK photos before but who cares! Thet are great for comparison to the above..
calma te Robertotito!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64946
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Great great photos!!! Thank you Cymeryss...!!
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Some great pictures - thanks
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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