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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Sierra San Francisco Cave Paintings Trip 10/2021
Just a quick report about our trip to see the cave paintings. While a trip has been on my mind, this was definitely a last minute adventure. My wife
and I were in the process of finding someone in Vizcaino to build some circular stairs for our new addition (we found an awesome guy from Oaxaca) when
my buddy Beto reached out to me about my contacts up in SSF.
Beto found out he had a week off from work and wanted to finally see the cave paintings for his birthday. I looked at my lovely, beautiful wife and
without hesitation she insisted the kids and I join Beto. My wife just picked up two teaching gigs and had to stay behind.
I had three days to prepare our meals and get packed. Beto drove down from Ensenada and arrived at our place in Bahia Asuncion on Sunday. We
normally stay the night before at Santa Teresa but the cabins are not available. I'm not sure but I think this might have to do with Covid. We woke
up early and made the 2.5 hour drive my place. The sunrise was awesome!
This was my third trip down into the canyon but Beto's first. My kids rode mulas while Beto and I hiked. The trail was really rough due to the
recent rains, lack of trips, and that they normally clean the trail in January. I was surprised when my friend/guide Chico told me he hadn't been
down into the canyon in over two years.
In all we spent three days in the canyon. The weather was perfect and we had a blast. In addition to our two guides, Chico's son Rodrigo joined us.
My kids had played with him before but it was wonderful to watch Chico teach his son how to guide.
I'm just going to leave a link to our photo album. It's long but I figured some might enjoy it. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tFWaijeiyFUucRKs7
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Super time, indeed... Great photos, Zac!
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4289
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Location: La Paz, BCS
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Mood: happy - always
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great pics!
Harald Pietschmann
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TMW
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Wow what a wonderful trip. Pictures are great, thanks.
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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Those photos are EPIC!
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Thanks everyone. Fyi, it's 250 pesos per day per mula/burro and 500 pesos per day per guide. There is a small entrance fee and charge for each
camera.
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Great report and pics. Love the burro with the cooler (beer burro?).
Bummer about the guide having no trips for 2 years.
What kind of food did you prepare?
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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Bajaboy
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Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher  | Great report and pics. Love the burro with the cooler (beer burro?).
Bummer about the guide having no trips for 2 years.
What kind of food did you prepare? |
We learned after our first trip to take more beer than we think we'll need.
For breakfast, we took Costco muffins and coffee. In the past, we made a big breakfast but we realized it took valuable time away from the day. For
lunch, my kids made pizzas and I made a smoked marlin pasta salad. For dinner the first night, we had chicken chili and the second night a hearty red
lentil with Italian sausage stew. Costco cookies were a hit for after dinner. Oh, Amiga Paulina suggested we make our meals in advance and freeze
them. This is a wonderful suggestion both for keeping beer cold but also for ease of preparation.
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advrider
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Registered: 10-2-2015
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Amazing photos and information! The hiking part really got my attention, I'm an avid hike but don't care much for horses, they feel the same about me.
My wife on the other hand is a 5th generation cattle rancher and loves horses, This could be the perfect trip for us.
Thanks for posting.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by advrider | Amazing photos and information! The hiking part really got my attention, I'm an avid hike but don't care much for horses, they feel the same about me.
My wife on the other hand is a 5th generation cattle rancher and loves horses, This could be the perfect trip for us.
Thanks for posting. |
It's just over 6 miles from Guadalupe, where you drop off your car, to camp. The climb out is about 2.5 miles and climbs 1300 ft. If you're in good
shape and feel comfortable on rocky terrain, go for it!
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Mulege Canuck
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Registered: 11-27-2016
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I am going to have to put that place on my list.
Great report
Thanks
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-27-2003
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Thanks Zac, those are great photos and glad to hear things are re-opening. Good idea to post the fees, but what's the deal with a camera fee?
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6027
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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| Quote: Originally posted by Santiago | | Thanks Zac, those are great photos and glad to hear things are re-opening. Good idea to post the fees, but what's the deal with a camera fee?
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Really....and does a smart phone count as a camera?
Aside from taking pictures or selfies, I can't think of a better time and place to leave the phone behind!
[Edited on 10-17-2021 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by Santiago | | Thanks Zac, those are great photos and glad to hear things are re-opening. Good idea to post the fees, but what's the deal with a camera fee?
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In 2019, with Cameron's Trail of Missions Recon trip TV team, we were informed about the camera fee and had to negotiate or limit the cameras at San
Francisco de la Sierra (Cueva del Ratón). They also had a rule about one guide needed for every 6(?) people (we had three guides).
Down near Mulegé, same trip, I don't think we had a camera restriction at San Borjitas and one guide was all that was required.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 545
Registered: 6-4-2012
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Baja Nomad comes through again thanks to Zak and the generous people here.
New bucket list item for the future.
After driving myself and some old college day friends to Cuevas Raton, and later guided by Zihul, thanks again to Shari, to Cuevas Del Carmen, this
burro trip has sparked a further desire to see what the world was like thousands of years ago from this particular perspective.
That these opportunities are available again, with certain requirements that should respected, is a blessing for us and for those who live in these
purposely insulated back country locales. Somehow they knew to back off for the time when they could be reassured to not have to suffer the pandemics
consequences.
May it only continue to be so. Vaccinate, if not for yourselves, consider any who you come into contact with. These people of the earth deserve
nothing less from us.
Rant over, for all the good it will do to some. Peace out.
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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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I have done the Cueva Pintada trip endless times the last 35 years
not enough cold drinks was always the problem
one time we convinced some guys from Rancho Santa Teresa to go get beer for us
they ran up the canyon wall
they were back in 3 hours
the beer wasn't cold - but divine nonetheless
trip about 25 images in
https://carlosnpainter.smugmug.com/Travel/Baja-California-Ma...
Harald Pietschmann
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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A bargain at any price! IMEO. 
True on beer. 
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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shari
Select Nomad
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Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Thanks for the trip report amigo! This is something that everyone should do at least once in their life! It is an experience like no other.
Great tip about freezing meals to use as ice in the cooler...brilliant!
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bike4mee
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 9-5-2017
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If we drive up the road to guadalupe will there be
1. A place to camp
2. safe place to leave truck camper while we hike to cave paintings
3. Local guides to hire
4. Should we set this up before driving up the road
gracias
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nbentley1
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 9-16-2016
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Great report and certainly been of the bucket list for a few years now.
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