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RICHARDH
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-15-2006
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Natural wilderness areas
Most of the reading material I've found on visiting Baja seems to want to steer visitors to the many "tourist traps" in Baja, however economical some
of them may be.
However, I think it is probably best to think of my planned visit to Baja as that of a "visitor interested in natural wilderness" rather than as a
"tourist", even though I will be visiting by use a "tourist visa/card".
Can anyone please indicate where I can find (non-"tourist") information on visiting Baja for Baja's natural wilderness values?
I really do want to learn a lot about Baja's natural wilderness areas, including those that may be very little known to most tourists (or even
long-term Nortamericano residents/visitors of Baja).
[Edited on 11-16-2006 by RICHARDH]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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richard-
welcome to the best place to get what you seek. use the search feature for all of the places you wanna go, or have heard of. also, just sit back and
absorb for a month or so and i'm sure something will pop up that interests you. when that happens, jump in and fire away. there are ALOT of good folks
here willing to share!
see ya on the beach-
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
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So how long have you been a Sierra Club member ??  
Give us some more idea of how long you have to travel, what you'd like to see, do you want to be on the water or in the desert, what your offroad
capabilities are, etc. There are remote islands that you need permits to camp on and many other desert, high country and hard-to-reach beaches.
Also lots of books to Google on Baja winderness and remote camping.
.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Location: South of the broder
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Been wondering when you'd get here, Richard.
This site has lots of archives, so use the search function and it'll give you a big start.
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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RICHARDH
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-15-2006
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Presently, I'm planning a visit for about 6 months beginning in January or February of this next year. That plan is based on a recommendation that I
visit the area of Baja Sur spanning from about Mulege to Loreto beginning in Feb or March.
At the time the recommendation was made I probably said I was interested in visiting areas with very few tourists and other crowds. But what I'm
really interested in is Baja's natural wilderness.
I will be driving a (two-wheel drive) 1984 Ford Ranger mini-pickup with slide-in camper and perhaps I may be towing a small, enclosed utility trailer
made from the bed and chassis of a mini-pickup. (I am rather experienced at driving on "primitive" backroads, including a few 4WD roads/trails with
these and other vehicles.)
So I am especially interested in camping in the style that in the US is typically called "remote" camping -- in particular, free camping outside of
any campgrounds.
To give you an idea of the approach to wilderness visits and camping that's typical for me, you might take a look at my web site http://haneyR.blogspot.com and search on "Quinn" to peruse regarding my visits to the Quinn Canyon Range in south central Nevada. (I recommend
using Internet Explorer for smoother transitions in the slideshows.) The web page has additional pointers on how best to view the photos.
I anticipate using my pickup/camper as a base camp and then sometimes backpacking perhaps a mile or two to get deeper into natural wilderness. I may
want to then take a good deal of time getting familiar with the details of the local flora and fauna and the comings and goings of the local wildlife.
So far I've read most of John Robinson's book *Camping and Climbing in Baja* (La Siesta Press, 1989) and so come May or later I will probably want to
visit Laguna Hansen and take with me some detailed maps of the local backroads and trails and then do some exploring in the area.
I also understand that the central desert is an especially interesting area for natural desert wilderness. So I will probably want to visit that area
early in my visit to Baja.
But I need some more detailed information about that area, especially good maps and other information about backroads and such in that area. I
understand that there is a highly recommended tourist campground in Catavina. So I'm thinking I may spend one night there as a stepping-stone or
jumping-off place to no-fee camping and wilderness visits in the central desert.
I know very little (natural-wilderness-wise) about the area from San Ignacio to Loreto, and would like to learn more about any natural wilderness in
that general area.
I've read some about the upper forests of the Sierra de la Laguna, but have very little specific information relevant to visiting that area on my own,
which is what I'd probably prefer to do.
Finally, I suppose there may be a lot of other natural wilderness on the peninsula that I have not heard about yet. So I don't want to "snub" those
areas out of pure ignorance.
As for the Sierra Club, although my official membership is not current, I've been actively participating in the Club's wilderness advocacy activities
and wilderness volunteer field work in California and Nevada for about 15 years now.
I hope this gives you a good idea for recommending sources of information.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
So how long have you been a Sierra Club member ??
Give us some more idea of how long you have to travel, what you'd like to see, do you want to be on the water or in the desert, what your offroad
capabilities are, etc. There are remote islands that you need permits to camp on and many other desert, high country and hard-to-reach beaches.
Also lots of books to Google on Baja winderness and remote camping.
. |
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Richard-
There are so many areas to explore...the Vizcaino Biosphere, the Catavina area, Tres Virgenes region, the mountains above Cabo San Lucas...I mean the
list goes on and on.....Baja Sur has a lot of areas as does the north.
Here is a link to an expedition to one part of Baja by 30 scientists a few years back: http://www.sdnhm.org/research/aguaverde/index.html
It's one of my favorite parts of Baja Sur.
Narrow down your area of interest and I guarantee a Nomad has expertise.
Zac
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
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Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
Richard-
There are so many areas to explore...the Vizcaino Biosphere, the Catavina area, Tres Virgenes region, the mountains above Cabo San Lucas...I mean the
list goes on and on.....
Zac |
Don't forget the San Pedro Martir, in BCN Go there and you will think you are in the pine forests of the California Sierra Nevada, just without as
much water or peolpe.
Plus, you can climb the 2nd highest peak in Baja and get a great view of the highest peak (10,000+’), and if lucky see both the Pacific and the Gulf
form the same spot.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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Most of Baja is natural wilderness. Most of the side roads are on the Baja Almanac maps. So you can take a secondary road, drive about 10 miles or
so, and backpack from that point away from the dirt road. Check out El Volcan, Las Pintas, Mission Santa Maria, La Bocana (petroglyphs), in the
Norte. You'll love Rio San Ignacio. Lucky you - six months. Get a book called The Baja Adventure Book by Walt Peterson. Older publication, but a
must-have for you.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
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Walt Peterson's 'Baja Adventure Book' is a must read for you. It's full of ideas and personal experiences:
http://www.amazon.com/Baja-Adventure-Book-Walt-Peterson/dp/0899972314
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Martyman
Super Nomad
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The Baja Catch (fishing guide) has led my friends and I to many remote beach camping areas
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RICHARDH
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-15-2006
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Many thanks, Zac.
I've started reading the excursion link. It's fabulous. These suggestions give me some rather interesting ideas to work on.
Richard
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
Richard-
There are so many areas to explore...the Vizcaino Biosphere, the Catavina area, Tres Virgenes region, the mountains above Cabo San Lucas...I mean the
list goes on and on.....Baja Sur has a lot of areas as does the north.
Here is a link to an expedition to one part of Baja by 30 scientists a few years back: http://www.sdnhm.org/research/aguaverde/index.html
It's one of my favorite parts of Baja Sur.
Narrow down your area of interest and I guarantee a Nomad has expertise.
Zac |
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RICHARDH
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-15-2006
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I considered the San Pedro Martir, but the road in from the west is said to be rather rough beyond the Meling Ranch. I'll be driving a 2WD 1984 Ford
Ranger mini-pickup with slide-in camper and perhaps also towing a small enclosed utility trailer.
So far, I have my doubts about how my "rig" would do on that road.
Probably the main issue would be unusually steep grades -- or even "normally" steep grades if the road is at all choppy or somewhat narrow, or winding
hairpins, etc. I think my rig can probably handle 10% grades quite well if the road is sufficiently smooth, and maybe even if it's fairly bumpy.
Rough roads can turn the inside of my camper into a mixmaster. So I'd rather not have to rely on speed and momentum to get past any steep spots,
especially if the road is rough there.
And I positively do not want to stall on a steep, winding grade. Very dangerous. Backing back down would be extremely difficult and hazerdous
because the power steering and power brakes would be gone, rear-view visibility is extremely limited (must use mirrors), and the front brakes have
been known to lock up on me with skidding and no steering as a result while the rear wheels roll.
At the very least I would probably disconnect my trailer and park it somewhere (if I'm towing it) before attempting to negotiate that road.
So is there a more accurate description of that road available?
Richard
| Quote: | Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Don't forget the San Pedro Martir, in BCN Go there and you will think you are in the pine forests of the California Sierra Nevada, just without as
much water or peolpe.
Plus, you can climb the 2nd highest peak in Baja and get a great view of the highest peak (10,000+’), and if lucky see both the Pacific and the Gulf
form the same spot. |
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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The road has been widened and paved.
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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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 11-18-2003
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Great ideas - buy a new rig - you are way too small and over loaded to visit the places you want to go - sorry - just being realistic -
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Richard-
The road to San Pedro Martir is now paved most of the way...only the last 6 miles or so are dirt. And by Baja standards, the road is great. I last
drove it about a month ago. In my opinion, you will find the washboard roads much more challenging that a few ruts in the road to SPM. I've been up
there three times now have only scratched the surface. Cut and paste the following links to see some pictures.
: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=zacjohnston@sbcglobal.ne...
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=zacjohnston@sbcglobal.ne...
Zac
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RICHARDH
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-15-2006
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Thanks, Zac,
It now seems abundantly clear that getting access to the San Pedro Martyr should be no problem at all. Many thanks for your photos.
So now there is the question: Where is all the natural wilderness to be found up there? I imagine with all that bulldozing and road-building and
grading and paving that there has been and is presently a significant increase in tourist visitation to the area. As is typical for places like that,
a typical consequence is that what was wilderness becomes gradually (and sometimes suddenly) highly impacted by humans unless special precautions are
taken to preserve the wilderness character in the area.
I can guess that maybe the essentially untrammeled wilderness up there known to humans may be areas that are only occasionally visited by vaqueros
looking for their stray cattle. And I would guess that there may be additional, even-more-rugged, untrammeled wilderness known only to some locals
who may have visited such areas in their youth as a result of youthful curiosity.
From what I've read, Picacho del Diablo, of course, appears to be a rather popular tourist destination now partly because it is a well-known, easily
identifiable landmark that appears on maps and because lots of middle-aged men want to prove (to themselves and others) that they can still tackle
such outdoor challenges -- it's cheaper than climbing Mt. Everest -- and it gives them something to brag about. And the fact that climbing the peak
tends to be a lot of fun doesn't detract at all from the idea.
Does anyone have some recent photos of natural, untrammeled wilderness in the San Pedro Martyr?
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
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Richard-
Each time I have been SPM, there has not been any other campers. In fact, the few people I've seen were either biologists, astronomers, or rangers.
Camping, for the most part, is limited to an area near the entrance. And, there is only one road in the park. If you can't find wilderness
there....well....you're not going to find it anywhere. I agree with your points but trust me when I say there is still plenty of open country there.
Definately, SPM is one of my favorite places to escape to.
Zac
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RICHARDH
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-15-2006
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Zac,
I don't doubt that visitation is as sparse as you say. It's just surprising, considering the well-built road going in, as shown in your photos. But
from your photos it looks like the road-building may have been very recent. So maybe tourists just have not had a chance yet to discover the new,
relatively easy access.
According to the AAA's *Mexico's Baja California*, the park in the Sierra Juarez is also sparsely visited -- except during Easter week -- and the
access road (when dry) is said to be fairly good for passenger vehicles. So that seems to be consistent with the sparse visitation in the San Pedro
Martyr.
It's also surprising there would be a cafe (Cafe Lupita) up there with visitation being so sparse. (Or is the cafe in a village on the way up?)
The other idea I was alluding to is that it seems people have been living and working in the San Pedro Martyr for quite a substantial number of years
now. And so I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't some (perhaps very small???) degree of human impact throughout the range, except perhaps for some
rather rugged, "remote" pockets of utterly pristine wilderness.
John Robinson's book mentions various impacts in several places, including a fenced-off meadow, cattle trails criss-crossing the upper plateau, a
cattle-abused meadow, and other references to cattle grazing. So I was trying to visualize the degree of human (including cattle) impacts in the
area.
As usual, a picture (of natural, untrammeled wilderness) is worth a thousand words, and several pictures are worth even more.
The density of conifers and the ruggedness of terrain suggested in your photo "parque nacional 3" looks especially interesting.
By the way, Zac, is dispersed car camping permitted elsewhere in the park or is car camping permitted only in the campground?
I would guess that backpacking camps are probably permitted pretty much everywhere in the park. Yes?
Richard
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
Richard-
Each time I have been SPM, there has not been any other campers. In fact, the few people I've seen were either biologists, astronomers, or rangers.
Camping, for the most part, is limited to an area near the entrance. And, there is only one road in the park. If you can't find wilderness
there....well....you're not going to find it anywhere. I agree with your points but trust me when I say there is still plenty of open country there.
Definately, SPM is one of my favorite places to escape to.
Zac |
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
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Richard,
After reading many of your posts; the doubting responses and questions; the search for more wilderness-like wilderness.......
Have you considered a trip to the moon ?? or Mars ??
(Oh yeh, man has been there also, it is probably spoiled.) 
(Oh yeh, you can't get to either planet in an old 2wd truck.) 
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
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:::::::Have you considered a trip to the moon ?? or Mars ??
(Oh yeh, man has been there also, it is probably spoiled.
(Oh yeh, you can't get to either planet in an old 2wd truck.
I wonder if his CB wiil will work down on the bottom of one of those moon craters. 
OH dont drink the water on Mars either I got Mars'tazuma's Revenge the last time I went there. Oh wait there's no water on Mars maybe it was the
rocks.
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