El Golfo-El Pinacate - Sonora, Mexico 11/15~16/2003 - Trip Report

[JackSilb]

YukonBob said...

I'm back from the short version. Al and Dave should be resting comforably in the Pinacate tonight. I left them at 6:15 this morning.

I think I've found my new most favorite beach. Thirty-five miles of spectacular drivable beach. In that thirty-five miles there were a total of six small groups camping, including ours. The weather was picture perfect.

On my first trip, we went inland because Al hadnot donethat part. This trip we stayed on the beach because I had not done it. Al and I agree that once for the inland road is probably enough. We spent some time locating access from the beach to the inland road at all the major spots including the road to Puerto Penasco. I'd still like to map all the roads in the area so I'll be inland again but for pleasure I'll be on the beach. It's the kind of place I could plant myself for a while and a journey junkie doesn't say that too often.

I've posted five pictures, that don't do the place justice, on the forum, but I know you need to see something. They are eg1 to eg5 (http://www.rxtx.com:8085/4wdtrips/photogallery/details.php?image_id=904).


<!-- Edit -->
Post Edited (YukonBob) : 11/17/2003 5:54:54 AM GMT

</div>


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net


Post Edited (JackSilb) : 11/17/2003 6:39:05 AM GMT

[expeditionswest]

Bob,

That area is wonderfuly addicting! I am glad that you had a chance to see the beach, and the cliffs.http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/yeah.gif Isnt that road through the Altar Desert along the tracksawesome. Glad you had a good time...

Scotthttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/smilewinkgrin.gif

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[YukonBob]

Yes, the road along the tracks is really something. The inland road is also something but as Al put it so well it's not the beach. The drive along the beach really made an impact on me.</div>



I've posted a satellite map (http://www.artless.net/yuma/0311%20ElGolfo.jpg)of some of our travels. The eastern part of the beach to Bahia Adair. The red line is a record of our travels on Saturday and the black line is from the trip last July. As you can see from the red line, our journey to find the road north was not without missteps. Those with sharp eyes may be able to find the bypass along the cliffs around Rocky Point (necessary at higher tides) and our camp spot. </div>



Speaking of tides:</div>



You need to be aware of and pay attention to the tides. We had low tides and were able to penetrate pretty far into the bay. High tides can cut off your exit and strand you for hours. Even worse, getting stuck at low tide can turn your vehicle into a reef. That would be tough to explain on the forum.</div>

[JackSilb]

Bob,

Nice pictures and nice tip on the tides. I almost could imagine the Yukon Reff.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

Bob,
Did you camp between the two fish camps below the cliffs? Did you save your route as a track / route, etc.? I am curious how close it was to ours.

I think about that place almost every day...
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/35mm/images/camp2_jpg.jpg

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/El_Golfo_Day2.html

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[YukonBob]

Our camp was a ways northwest of yours. It looks like you camped right at the eastern end of the bypass road around Rocky Point. You were just a few hundred yards from the road that lead north to the railroad tracks and Puerto Penasco. </div>
Isn't techology great?http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/smilewinkgrin.gif </div>

[expeditionswest]

Thanks Bob! Great map.

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[JackSilb]

Was the watter warm?

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[BajaTaco]

http://home.rochester.rr.com/abbysues/AbbySues1/originalimages/red%20cry.gif


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[YukonBob]

Baja said...
http://home.rochester.rr.com/abbysues/AbbySues1/originalimages/red%20cry.gif
Nobody to blame but yourself. It was really good.




Jack said...
Was the watter warm?

Sorry Jack. I haven't gotten to that water temperature sensor on the wheels mod yet. This was a driving trip with three guys trying not to get too close to water.

[BajaTaco]

http://home.rochester.rr.com/abbysues/AbbySues1/originalimages/red%20cry.gif

http://home.rochester.rr.com/abbysues/AbbySues1/originalimages/red%20cry.gif

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cry.gifhttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/shakehead.gif

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/yousuck.gif


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[WhiteThaiGer]

BajaTaco said...
http://home.rochester.rr.com/abbysues/AbbySues1/originalimages/red%20cry.gif

http://home.rochester.rr.com/abbysues/AbbySues1/originalimages/red%20cry.gif

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cry.gifhttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/shakehead.gif

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/yousuck.gif
</div>Nothing to add. And Bob, I blame others http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/smashfreakb.gif http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/hitting.gif and everything!


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[BajaTaco]

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/baja_rofl.gif Bob, Al and Dave better watch out this weekend! http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/smashfreakb.gif


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[YukonBob]

Al, Dave

Loosen up your fingers and let us know what you saw. I'm sure the stories are good.

Scott

I've found a map source conversion program and I was going to overlay your route on the maps with ours. The only thing that responded on your website was the text version. Are the map source versions available?

[expeditionswest]

Bob,

Sorry about the mapsource files. They are uploaded to the site now.

What is the conversion program that you have found. I am salivating... It would be great to meet you, and have you show me Oziexplorer, etc. That (or similar) program is the only way to go in Mexico.

Thanks,
Scott

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[WhiteThaiGer]

[quote]

Scott Brady said...
Bob,

Sorry about the mapsource files. They are uploaded to the site now.

What is the conversion program that you have found. I am salivating... It would be great to meet you, and have you show me Oziexplorer, etc. That (or similar) program is the only way to go in Mexico.

Yeah Bob, how come you keep the name of the program secret? http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/wink.gif

Scott, if Jack would have allowed the notebook on our trip to Zafari I could have shown you Ozi. I'll have it on the Thanksgiving trip and maybe we can get Bob on that trip too, he is the Ozi expert, I'm more of a regular user http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/smilewinkgrin.gif


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[AlWalter]

Finally got some time to post my version. Some of this might be a little repetitive from what Bob already posted.

I'm sorry to say, there were only 3 people on this trip, vehicles included 2 Tacos &amp; a Yukon. We left the motel in Yuma by 7 am PST, stopped at Brownies Cafe fora heartybreakfast, fueled up &amp; headed east for Algodones. Border crossing was uneventful, after making 1 wrong turn we were heading south for San Luis, made a left on Mex 2, crossed the Colorado River, paid a 10 peso toll, bypassed San Luis &amp; headed for El Golfo. We hit minimal traffic, the military check point at El Doctor was unmanned &amp; we breezed down the highway. We came across around 20-30 vehicles pulled over were the graded road to the fishcamps meets the highway. We never saw them again, so I assume they were staying near town versus traveling on the beach. Our only stop in town was the El Capitan Cantina for refreshmentshttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/beertoast.gif. before hitting the beach.

The tides were relatively low with less than a 1 meter differential. We headed south on the beach, without having to use any of the high tide bypasses. We came to 2 large fish camps, probably 30 plus boats, that were not there last May. Kind of got my bearing a little screwed up at first. The first fishcamp was at one of the roads that heads in to the railroad &amp; goes out to the Desierto de Altar dunes. We had to back track to locate it in the event we decided to make this side trip. We continued south past El Tornillal, Rocky Point, the salt flats &amp; the light house for about another 1.5 miles to lands end.

We back tracked to check out the light house, located the road from the beach (also a dormant fish camp site) that goes up to the railroad at Lopez Callada (route tp Puerto Penasco) &amp; Bob took the bypass route around Rocky Point. He came back down to the beach at the other new fishcamp site. We continued north &amp; found a nice camp site in the dunes, with a great ocean viewabout 2 miles south of El Tornillal. We kicked back with cervesa snacks &amp; grilled marinated pork loin for dinner. Dave was going to build a camp fire but forget the wood, we had to settle for a propane lantern to stare at. We discussed Bob's departure for San Clemente the next morning &amp; Dave &amp; my plans for Puerto Penasco. It cooled down pretty good that night &amp; with no fire we all kind of turned in early.

TBC

[JackSilb]

Al,

Sounds like a very nice trip.
I am sure next time we will all make an extra effort to make it.
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[YukonBob]

Nice job Al. I really like your report for the part of the trip I was on. The part I missed should be twice as good.</div>






Uwe said...
(Yeah Bob, how come you keep the name of the program secret? http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/wink.gif BecauseI want to make sure it works. http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/notme.gif If you do a google on mapsource and oziexplorer you shold be able to make your own discovery.http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/idea.gif . What happened to KOFA? I think Al is still out scouting trails.




Scott said...
It would be great to meet you, and have you show me Oziexplorer
You should be at the 4WDtrips party this Saturday.http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/yeah.gif But if you can't be, we can get together sometime on one of your trips to Southern California. We're locatedoff I-10 at Beaumont. Leave a little extra time and we'll get together. If not, I'm sure the "regular user" will be able to show you everything you need to know.http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/smilewinkgrin.gif

[AlWalter]

We awoke Sunday to agray overcast, never really saw the sun until mid afternoon. Bob got underway back to his party in San Clemente around 615 am. Dave &amp; I had our coffee &amp; breakfast &amp; were underway by 730 am. We headedsouth onthe beach for another 15 miles or so, took the rocky point bypass &amp; headed north thru the salt flats to Lopez Callada where we intersected the railroad. The road had a few wet spots, I assume from a previous storm, a couple of bad washboard areas but 4 wheel drive is not needed. I think on my next trip there, I'm goining to check out the rancho &amp; other buildings that were used when the salt recovery operation was going on about a mile north of the beach. On this trip we were running low on fuel &amp; time to do much exploring. The 38 mile run along the railroad bed into Puerto Penasco went by pretty quickly. There were 4-6 areas of deep loose sand, but otherwise 4 wheel drive is not needed. I would say being familiar with this road &amp; with proper tires &amp; pressure, 2 wd is no problem.

Arrived in Puerto Penasco around 1130 am, fueled up &amp; headed for the Malecon for fish tacos &amp; a shrimp dinnerwith refresh-mentshttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/beertoast.gif. Got back underway &amp; checked in at the El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve office around 130 pm (by the way, all times are PST). You are required to complete an application form, but no fee is collected.

We headed north on the main road making stops at Crater Elegante, which was quite impressive, the Tecolte campground which is in the northern part of the Reserve, then looped over to Cerro Colorado (also a crater) before headingback to Red Cone to set up camp. They've had some rain lately &amp; the flora was spectacular, Creosote bush, Brittle bush, Elephant trees, Saguaro cactus, Barrel cactus, Cottontop cactus, Oldman cactus, Palo Verde, Mesquite trees to name a few, there was a lot of small ground cover in bloom (white, purple &amp; yellow). The drive into Red Cone heads west &amp; it was a real chore at 430 pm heading directly into the sun. We had the campground, which does have a 1 hole outhouse, all to ourselves or so we thought.
At about 8 pm we heard a vehicle approach &amp; finally saw headlights. In came an F250 Crewcab and out piled 6 young fellows. We made our greetings, they got busy setting up 1 large tent for all to sleep in, grilled dinner &amp; had a few cervesas. They appeared to be students &amp; were very pleasant. We went to bed &amp; were not disturbed throughout the night.

TBC

[YukonBob]

Keep up the good work Al. Were the six fellows mummies?

Post Edited (YukonBob) : 11/24/2003 2:08:14 AM GMT

[AlWalter]

Monday morning bright & early, our campground companions were up & on the trail up to Picacho Pinacate. It was right at 6 am when they took off. Dave & I did our coffee & breakfast & again were on the road before 730 am. We took the road north to Mex 2, turned west for about 10 miles & reentered the Reserve in the northwest area. We headed south past a microwave antenna site & on to Rancho Guadalupe Victoria. Our first stop was MacDougal crater & then on to Molina crater (Trebol). About 2 miles south of Molina we crossed a wash. The main road went straight but we saw a road to the southwest which I took for about 4 miles to check it out. We need to go back & explore this road & others. We continued on south to Tinaja de los Papagos, this looks like a good camping spot & also has a road heading south that needs exploration. We went on to Sykes crater, which I think is the most spectacular within the Reserve. The views in all directions was impressive. The last quarter mile or so hike to the rim is pretty steep & made me rest a couple of times before reaching the top. The rest of the loop road back north was very scenic & crossed several miles of lava flow.

We got back to Mex 2 about 1 pm & after airing up headed west for Algodones & the border crossing. We had about a 10 minute wait at the border & crossed about 330 pm & headed for El Centro for fuel (vehicle & body) before going our seperate ways home.

As an aside, Dave did have wood for us to have a fire 1 night. It lasted about 2 hours Sunday at the Red Cone campground. I was surprised, Dave was up before 630 am every day. My final comment is,
Dave salsa & chips.

[JackSilb]

Some pictures would go a long way. I guess not having the pictures increase our curiosity.

But I liked your report.

Thanks,
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[AlWalter]

JackSilb said...
Some pictures would go a long way. I guess not having the pictures increase our curiosity.

But I liked your report.

Thanks,
-JACK
</div>Bob already posted some pictures. What few I have you can see tomorrow.

[YukonBob]

Nice reports Al. Thanks. </div>
The smugglers roads lookinviting don't they? I'm glad you got in all the way. Did you get to explore Tinajas De Los Papagos? Did the interesting looking area on the way to Red Cone pan out? I guess I can ask all the questions tomorrow.</div>

[YukonBob]

The mapsourse conversion program seems to work pretty well. I thought I'd start with an overview from El Golfo to Bahia Adair that shows three trips through the area now that I can include Scott's. This is a wide angle view but you can certainly see some differences in the routes. You can also see where the routes merge and take the same path because the colors merge into one. I'll make maps of smaller areas so you can see more details of different routes.

Scott took the route north from El Golfo like Al and I but then cut across to the inland road. There are a couple of places that you can do this. Al wanted to go north to the railroad tracks and the old station there. This is access to dunes to the north.

Scott and Doron took a route northeast from El Golfo and I would be interested in knowing what they found there or why they went up that direction and if there was access out.

[JackSilb]

Cool,

Very nice. This is getting good.
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

Bob,</o:p></div>
That is a great map! </o:p></div>
The route we took northeast of El Golfo was our camp for night one. With the right vehicle you might be able to make it all the way to the main trail heading east. We were limited with the trailers. I got with ¾ mile without the trailer, and decided to turn around because it was getting too narrow. We would not have been able to turn around if we had trailers attached. </o:p></div>
Regardless, it was a very nice area, with extensive erosion (rill and gully erosion). It is a good spot for a camp.</o:p></div>




http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/images/DSC00391_JPG.jpg</div>

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[YukonBob]

Thanks for the picture. It looks like a good area to explorer.


I've attached a new map of Bahia Adair. It shows your trip in red and our July trip in blue. You can also see some of the November trip in yellow.


The beauty of moving map software is that you get to see everywhere you travel. Al and I followed the railroad tracks. Where the red and blue split is the difference in our trips. You made a thurst south to the beach and came back to the tracks. It looks like you traveled on the south side of the tracks for a while and went back to the beach and traveled along the beach for a while until you went back to the tracks.


I'm going to guess that it isa beach that not too many people visit. Any comments about your beach exploration?


Looks like you camped along Sandy Beach near Cholla Bay. Al andI went into town.

Post Edited (YukonBob) : 11/25/2003 7:41:23 AM GMT

[expeditionswest]

Wow! Very cool GIS images. </o:p></div>
</o:p></div>
Doron and I knew we wanted to explore along the beach as much as possible. The third night, after driving along the tracks, we were looking for a good beach site. We took a tip from a local, and headed south over the ridge at the first big train stop (several houses and families living there). The beach was nice, but the tide was far out leaving 300 yards of mud flats. We decided to explore further. We decided to drive south of the tracks, and found another road over the hill. This area was more developed, with houses (vacant), etc. This area was a little better for the tide, and had a few camping ramadas, but the mosquitoes were bad! So we headed back out and off to rocky point. The road from the last attempted beach camp was very good, and we made excellent time. We stopped at an RV/Camp area called the "Reef" They have a good section of the rock shore-line, and we found a campsite at the extreme west end of their property. It turned out to be a great find! I went to get food and a few cervesashttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/beertoast.gif and we turned in early. </div>
</o:p></div>
The best part about the “reef” campsite was the snorkeling. It was so much fun, that I am committed to get my divers license now!</div>
</div>
The "Reef" campsite</div>
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/images/P1010062_JPG.jpg</div>
</div>
underwater at the "Reef" Note: I have a waterproof digital camera for these http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/images/DSC00474_JPG.jpg</div>
</div>
</div>


Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[WhiteThaiGer]

Scott Brady said...


</o:p>
The best part about the “reef” campsite was the snorkeling. It was so much fun, that I am committed to get my divers license now!


underwater at the "Reef" Note: I have a waterproof digital camera for these http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif


Okay, that does it, we got to go there and snorkel!</div>
What digi cam do you use? Did you get a housing for it? We got the little Canon A70, I think they make a housing for that, not sure up to what depth it's good, but snorkeling should not be a problem. Srisuda would love that</div>


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[BajaTaco]

Snorkeling is one of my favorite things... it's easy to get hooked on it

Great maps, photos and trip report guys


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[JackSilb]

> Snorkeling is one of my favorite things... it's easy to get hooked on it

One more reason to come to Brazil with me in 12/2004. Summer ...

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

The camera is the new Sony Cyber-shot U DSC-U60 waterproof. I think it is rated to 2 meters, but I had it to at least 3 meters without incident. It does not use a housing, the camera itself is waterproof. It also has an underwater mode that compensates the exposure. It is 2 megapixel, and has a fixel focal length lens.

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg