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| Tropic of Cancer Monument BCS |
Pointing our compass north our trail veered us off the east cape coast at La Ribera as we passed Santa Cruz we came to a raised intersection above an arroyo on MEX 1. Right was north to Los Barriles and left south towards Santiago, Miraflores, Tropic of Cancer and finally back to San Jose del Cabo. We decided to go south to Miraflores past the Tropic of Cancer and Santiago. Our goal was to hit the back roads traveling north and check out some natural hot springs at Santa Rita Hot Springs. Then continue over to Canon de la Zorra a 10 meter waterfall cascading into natural pools. As we cruised south down MEX 1 we passed the turn off to Santiago a few kilometers beyond that we crossed over the Tropic of Cancer boundary and stopped at the monument for a photo opt, seems no one else did.
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| Heading out of Miraflores north to the hot springs |
Pressing on we found the turn-off to
Miraflores and took the paved road into this pretty little village. Houses surrounded with lush gardens, palm trees and flowers going on vines. You can tell this little community has fresh water access. We took a dirt road out of town heading north in the direction of
Santa Rita Hot Springs.
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| Starting the climb to the hot springs |
The road twisted and turned while cattle and goats were milling about grazing. We started to climb in elevation when our track got rocky and a bit more challenging, finally we made our way to the hot springs. The small area for parking was full as we drove through a cattle and goat coral at the end of the road. We decide not to stay and then back tracked to the turn-off for the waterfall
Canon de la Zorra. Finding the turn off a few kilometers back we navigated the track and followed it to
Sole de Mayo the camp entrance to the
Canon de la Zorra.
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| Turn-off to Canon de la Zorra |
Set in the mountains at about 6800ft this place was fantastic. The grounds were well kept and they had all sorts of farm animals, turkeys, geese, rabbits; the size I never seen before, tortugas, peacocks and a hairless dog, not to mention quail, chickens, goats and cattle wearing respected bells as you hear them clanging about.
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| Trail shot looking down Canon de la Zorra |
We arrived in the mid-afternoon, we parked our rig and donned hiking shoes with swim gear and hiked our way down to the falls. The trail was well marked and the scenery was wonderful with every step. Our first glance at the falls was spectacular about 300ft above the top of the falls you got a birds eye view. With much anticipation we climbed down to the lush pools at the bottom of the falls.
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| Boulders lining the pools |
Cool, sweet and crystal clear the water was delicious as we soaked our dusty trail beaten bodies. All we could hear was the water cascading down the rock face of the falls while we soaked in silence peering around at the rocky sun beaten boulders surrounding us. We were the only ones there, a great choice from the crowded hot springs.
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| Base Camp made in-time for grub and fire |
Daylight was burning and we decided to hike back before dark to make camp and get some grub. That night with a campfire burning we enjoyed Quesadillas con queso y jamon, avocado, hummus with tortilla chips, cold beers and tequila shots, nice!!
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| Secluded pools above falls |
We slept sound as it cooled off during the starlight night 6800ft above sea level. Waking up in the morning to hot fresh coffee as we sat in the moment feeling refreshed, listening to the jangle of far off cowbells, we knew we came to the right spot! Just over the wire fence (to keep the live stock out of the campground) I spotted a small fox, with a reddish fury chest, we both stopped and stared down at each other, finally I couldn't help but smile, just as the fox turned and ran off, and the days just starting!
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| Sole de Mayo |
The air was clean and we were excited to get back to the pools and waterfall. Starting to get warm we donned our hiking shoes and followed the trail to the falls. This time we took an upper trail that goes above the falls into yet more natural secluded pools.
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| Hairless dog, Good Boy!! |
We soaked in solitude as we had seen and heard others making the pilgrimage to the bottom of the falls. We camped here for two nights making the hike twice in a day to soak and swim in the cool delicious natural pools, a slice of heaven for sure!!
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| Climbing out of the arroyo to Santiago |
Pulling up stakes we hit the trail towards
Santiago to get in a little small town feel before we head further north up to
Los Barriles on
Mar de Cortez. The dirt trail winds around following the top edge of the flowing river then down into the vast arroyo. As we climb to a panoramic perch you can see the water flowing from the upper 3 rivers as they converge to make
Santiago a green oasis.
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| Rivers converge overlooking Santiago |
Santiago a farming town with old growth trees clean streets busy with peoples daily routine it was a wonderful side trip before heading back on
MEX 1 north.
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| Overlooking Los Barriles on MEX 1 |
Driving back on
MEX 1 north was hot and dry about 37klm to
Los Barriles. As we drove into town the overall feel was very different, razors, side-by-sides, can-ams and ATV's running amuck around the narrow streets. The noise pollution was over the top not to mention the dust kicked up by these seemingly unnecessary vehicles.
Los Barriles had been taken over by hordes of entitled expats.
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| Kite surfing Los Barriles |
We needed to get showers provisions and fueled up, we found a RV park in town it was more like a retirement trailer park community. The amenities were well kept and we also needed to recharge our batteries after so many nights of dry camping.
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| Fresh local shrimp and asparagus |
We popped our
RTT plugged in and walked about this town that is known for kite-surfing. The beaches were nice except for the noisy ATV vehicles driving up and down on the beach. We had an ice cream shop close-by, of which we enjoyed the convenience.
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| Squash blossom quesadilla |
They had a Farmers market we bought some fresh local shrimp for our nights dinner and got a squash blossom quesadilla with mushrooms to munch as we walked around, both were tasty. We camped here for about 4 nights before pressing on north to
El Sargento, La Ventana and
Baja's Capital La Paz.
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| Thirsty Cruiser heading north |
I was more than ready to pull out of
Los Barriles to drive the coastal primitive road heading north. But before we did that, we loaded up with needed provisions, ice, beer, fuel, some shrimp tacos and a seedless watermelon which was super tasty.
Hope to see you on the Trail!!....
🚙.......
