Un Borracho en Baja

[Katoom119]

Originally Posted by WoodWorks

I thought about staying in Cataviña and photographing the boulder fields at sunset. But every asshat within 1,000 miles had spray painted his name on every boulder in sight, so I just kept going to El Rosario.

I swear, I hate people.

The more I deal with society the more I like a bumper sticker I saw the other day: "I'm not anti-social, I just hate everyone."

Another personal favorite was one on the back of an Army Shooting Team member's car: "Stupid people shouldn't breed."



Yep. That about sums it up.

[David13]

There were thousands of the rocks with spray paint on them. Ugly. But some people were telling me that they had found some that had been painted many years ago, like by the indians long ago. I didn't see any of that.
But in my room at the Mision in Catavina, I found on the wall a painting that got it just right.
dc

[WoodWorks]

My last day in Baja dawned cold and foggy, with a marine layer sweeping well inland. As I rode north toward Ensenada, I closed the vents in my jacket and turned on the heated grips for the first time since I left Ashland a week ago.



From San Quintin north Highway 1 is pretty much one long string of dog patch settlements punctuated by Pemex stations. I think of it as the New Jersey of Baja (no offense to you Jerseyites). So I didn't stop for anything but gas before veering back east on Highway 3 toward Ojos Negros.

And inmate here had clued me in to this dirt road that goes from there to El Hongo, near Tecate. And since I found myself well ahead of my original schedule, I figured it was worth a look. It didn't disappoint.

The road rises quickly from a few hundred feet above sea level to just above 4,500 ft., and the air temperature drops as you climb.



It has obviously seen a grader during my lifetime, and I made pretty good speed over the summit.



There were isolated groves of oak and pine up on top.



And even fields of wildflowers. A much different scene from what I had ridden through just a few days before.



There was the odd sand patch, a few ruts, and some mud holes. But none of the obstacles were difficult to overcome. A real pleasant ride.

The border crossing at Tecate took all of ten minutes, and I made it as far as Norwalk before LA traffic made me call it a day.

The next day I rode from there, 700 miles all the way home up I-5.



I stopped here, exactly one hour from my house for the final picture of this report. I hope you enjoyed it. I sure enjoyed riding it, and can't wait to get down there again.

[gsstampeder]

Thanks for taking the time to share. Always love seeing Baja from someone else's view.

[ozmoses]

Thanks! Never been to Baja, always wanted to...

[yamalama]

Thanks. Good stuff.

[fudgypup]

Originally Posted by David13

There were thousands of the rocks with spray paint on them. Ugly. But some people were telling me that they had found some that had been painted many years ago, like by the indians long ago. I didn't see any of that.
But in my room at the Mision in Catavina, I found on the wall a painting that got it just right.
dc

Must have been the same room I was in or they have the same artwork throughout. I think I was in 119 or 120 the night before you. Hope you didn't slip on that wet Mexican tile like Mark did.

[satchmo3]

Good stuff David, thanks for sharing. I posted a RR on my trip but since in was only 4 days it was moved to day trippin.
BTW I am from NJ and had similar thoughts about Mex 1 and San Quintin.

[Dos Moto]

Thanks for sharing,really enjoyed the RR.We rode Baja in Jan 2012,also stopping in at Coco's,great idea with the black and white photo of Coco,excellent shot!

[Eciof800gs]

Excellente, thanks great trip , better report.

[tricepilot]

Read it again

[alexem]

@ ferkel:
Nice report !!!!!!

Btw. Do you know what „ferkel“ means in german ??

[WoodWorks]

Originally Posted by alexem

Btw. Do you know what „ferkel“ means in german ??

Ja, natürlich! Denken Sie Ich kenne kein Deutsch?

[alexem]

ok dann ist ja gut.

[motoged]

WW,
Great ride....there IS a road up and along the east peninsula of Bahia Concepcion that goes to the northern tip....the area at the bay's south end (you were there) is your entry point and is easy riding for the most part....

some pics from my last ride there:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666961








A bit of beach riding was needed....




Halfway up there was a NOLS group...




And one of several fish camps...






And at the north end, a canyon trail heads a few miles over to the Sea of Cortez side....





And half-way there is a very cool rancho....









And another bonus .....from the bay's south end, you can ride over to a few cool places on the Sea of Cortez side and then come out fro San Nicholas to the highway....










Next time .....