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Ateo
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San Pedro Martir National Park
We bailed North County just after 5PM, missing Back To School Night (Teacher said that was FINE - as we'd be seeing a whole heck of a lot cooler
stuff) and got on the I-5 southbound. To my dismay, no traffic until we hit the South Bay where we encountered a truck fire.
Was this an omen? Would we lose our lives in a massive inferno at San Pedro Martir? The mystery of the Park would soon reveal itself.............but
first we stayed the night at our old dig in Ensenada -- Hotel Coronado. Look it up next time if you're looking for a cheap place to stay ($30). I
once left an ice chest full of beer in the parking lot on the way to Scorpion Bay. When I returned 10 days later, the owner had it waiting for me,
not one beer touched.
Unfortunately I didn't take any good pics but here's the view from the parking lot:
The next morning, we were amped to get going and see this new (to us) section of Baja. For years I had driven past the turnoff to the park, en route
to some other locale, never wondering what was up the road. In fact, this was the first Baja trip that I didn't bring a wetsuit and surfboard with
me. Actually, that's not true.......San Felipe and Tecate trips didn't have boards either.......oh well, it sounded right at first. Anyway, the
whole no surfboard thing kind of stung for a bit, because the biggest swell of the Summer was gonna be hitting while I was on top of a mountain.
Woody with a View tried to entice me over to his surf camp, but I held my ground, barely....................I'm glad I made my decision, as I
discovered a whole new Baja playground, full of awe, wonder and exploration.
The drive in was a definite highlight. I can't even imagine doing it before the pavement was there. Ok, I can imagine it, but I wouldn't want to do
it -- especially on the limited time that we had. Pay attention, as the road curves and winds and excessive speed will hurl you and your belongings
over a 2000 foot cliff, surely to your death. More photos:
Approaching the park:
Thanks for the mountain lion reminder park service.......I hate those suckers..... after hearing a story about a father/daughter mountain lion
encounter that didn't go well. Guess it's good to be aware though.....
No rangers were at the park entrance, so we came back the next morning and paid our fees.
We drove into the park and realized we were basically alone. We were alone in our campground, until Saturday night when 2 other families pulled in.
Still they were out of ear and eyesight.....we didn't even know they were there till we were leaving Sunday.
We set up camp and got in the rig to explore the park. It had rained a few hours ago and there was some debris on the roads.
We wre late for the Observatory. Only open 10AM to 1PM. We'll come back manana.
Mountain Lion protection.
As Graham and Astrobaja told me -- plenty of firewood around. Don't waste any space hauling firewood up the mountain.
We told the kids they could make a fire, but without matches or a lighter. It worked.
We ate a great dinner and entered dreamland shortly thereafter. We were awoken around 4AM by coyote howls, then barks. Sounded just like a dog.
Maybe 30 feet from the tent. This went on and on.....bark, bark, bark, bark, for 45 minutes. At one point I got out of the tent shouting and shining
my flashlight but that didn't do anything. Bark, bark, bark, bark. Finally it just stopped and we fell back to sleep.
The next day we headed back to the Observatory, arriving exactly at 10AM. We joined a Mexican family for an epic tour of the telescope.
This was the view of Picacho Del Diablo from the observatory. Diablo is the highest point in all of Baja at 10,157 feet. We'd see better views later
that day.....
The telescope
The view out the door at the top of the telescope. Someone fell to their death here a few years ago. I didn't venture outside.
The stairs leading up and down to the telescope. At that high altitude it was very hard climbing up......
Next, we headed over for a 8KM (total) hike to the Mirador El Altar. There some extreme steep grades heading up that required a few rests, but
overall anyone in average shape could do this hike.
Release zone for Condors.....
At the top we reached a meadow with tons of cattle.
We then hiked over the to the Mirador Picacho.
Coming down the mountain!
The museum was closed for our entire stay. The rangers were kind of vague about when it would be open.....Graham, any thoughts?
We left the kids at camp and decided to do another hike, just my wife and I. The trailhead was in our campground so we couldn't pass it up. We saw
deer, quail, and a coyote. See if you can see the little bugger in the photo.
Our time in the park was over. We were content and got our fill. There's still plenty more to see, and we'll do that next time............
We headed down the mountain. Next stop was Baja Dark Skies Inn. We passed thru scorched trees and chaparral on our way to the Inn. I remember
Astrobaja recently posting on Nomad regarding the fire that was close to his property. Boy was it close!!
The ride in to Baja Dark Skies Inn
We arrived and were instantly and kindly greeted by Mike and Pamela. They gave us a tour of the Inn and surrounding ranch. Nowhere the last 3 days
in the National Park did I see a body of water or stream, but they had one right in their backyard. All the H2O they would ever need. How valuable
in a place like Baja!
The guest house......so clean and great artwork inside.
600 year old oak tree (estimate). In 1412 this tree was a baby. No Columbus or Cortez in this part of the world yet either......
Mike and Pamela showing us around. They have a slice of heaven.
Tons of apples. May be used to flavor beer I hear????
Astrobaja's backyard view
The highlight at the Inn was getting to see the telescope. I can't wait to go back and look back 9 billion years into the past. That's the light
that this telescope can pick up. Light that left 9 billion years ago, entering the eyepiece, then to be interpreted by your brain. Pretty amazing
stuff.
I must again thank Mike and Pamela for showing us around. It was a pleasure to meet you both -- and we'll be back soon! It was nice talking
astronomy with you Astrobaja!
We headed out, back to the paved road, but not before stopping a few times to marvel at the beautiful landscape.
Nothing more to say, except it was a great trip. We stopped in Ensenada and got Carne Tortas at this place. Pretty damn good.
We headed to Tecate and had a 5 minute wait in the Ready Lane (Sunday afternoon).
Thanks Graham, Astrobaja, and other Nomads for the intel. You made the trip that much richer! Thanks.
-Ateo
[Edited on 9-8-2012 by Ateo]
[Edited on 9-8-2012 by Ateo]
[Edited on 9-8-2012 by Ateo]
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TMW
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Wow that was excellent, thanks. You had me out of wind on the hike.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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do they let you peer thru the telescope at night?
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
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Thanks TW. The view from the Mirador at the end of the hike was insane. Still does something to my stomach just looking at the picture.
| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
Wow that was excellent, thanks. You had me out of wind on the hike. |
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
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Not that I'm aware of. Maybe they have special times where they let the public in for viewing? Astrobaja would know.
| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
do they let you peer thru the telescope at night? |
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Bajaboy
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Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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excellent report
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
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Great pictures! I'm with TW on the hike up Mirador el Altar. Years past, I drove up that trail and into the aspen forest. Good exercise on foot,
though.
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J.P.
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We were allowed to go out on the upper most cat walk that goes around the structer, Fabolous 360 Viev I have a lot of pictures maybe some day I will
master loading them om this site.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
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Hey Ken,
I kept wondering if they used to allow vehicles on that trail. It was obvious there were old car tracks. I kind of figured the rangers still drive
up there often. I would've loved a lift in the Jeep......
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BornFisher
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Great report and pics, gracias!!
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woody with a view
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we almost came up to find you on saturday. detoured to the modelorama in your foto and returned to surf the brains out. looks like a cool trip. a good
friend went up to rancho coyote to set up a quail hunt later in the month. we were gonna tag along but the surf was calling.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8947
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Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Hey Ken,
I kept wondering if they used to allow vehicles on that trail. It was obvious there were old car tracks. I kind of figured the rangers still drive
up there often. I would've loved a lift in the Jeep...... |
The trail was not gated at the time. The gate at La Tasajera can be driven around in a Pinto. La Tasajera contains a nice meadow with a stream where
the endemic San Pedro Martir Trout can be seen.
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David K
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WINNER!!! I like what you posted Ateo... Glad you got the Photobucket issue worked out!
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bacquito
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Great report-I hope to return to the area some day soon.
bacquito
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
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Ken,
Thanks for that Trout link. Led me to some decent old stories of Baja.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Hey Ken,
I kept wondering if they used to allow vehicles on that trail. It was obvious there were old car tracks. I kind of figured the rangers still drive
up there often. I would've loved a lift in the Jeep...... |
The trail was not gated at the time. The gate at La Tasajera can be driven around in a Pinto. La Tasajera contains a nice meadow with a stream where
the endemic San Pedro Martir Trout can be seen. |
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Marc
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Fun report. Can I get there from Mex3 or Mex5? Or only from Mex1?
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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
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Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Ateo: thanks for a great trip report, and also for the kind words about our place here in the sierra! It was a real pleasure to meet you and your
family!! Look forward to showing you some celestial sights!
The observatorio national does not let the public look through any of their scopes at night, all of the telescope time is sold to astronomers from all
over the world. There are actually only a very few professional observatories that arrange special nights where the public can look through the giant
scopes. Kitt Peak is one, and I believe mount Wilson is another. McDonald observatory in west Texas has one night a year where you can look through
their 82 inch scope (I did it once, it was awesome). Most observatories have separate visitor centres with smaller instruments for public viewing. In
talking to the past and present director there are plans underway to construct such a spot, perhaps near the museum. BTW for the museum all you need
to do is ask and they will open it for you, especially if it is a larger group.
\"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.There is another theory which states that this has already happened\"
Douglas Adams
our website: http://bajadarkskies.com |
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wessongroup
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Thanks much for the "trip" ... really nice ...
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acadist
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Awesome pictures, looks like a great trip. Didn't know there was anywhere in Baja I didn't need to bring my own firewood
Dave
I moved to CO and they made me buy a little rod to make it feel like a real fish
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
Fun report. Can I get there from Mex3 or Mex5? Or only from Mex1? |
From Mex. 3 near San Matias is the road to Mike's Sky Rancho (20 mi.), beyond Mike's to the Observatory highway you should have an off road vehicle or
4WD.
From Mex. 5, you need to go to Mex. 3 and see the above note.
If you don't have a 4WD or wish to drive on a difficult road, then going around to Mex. 1 south of Colonet is the only option.
[Edited on 9-18-2012 by David K]
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