Mojave Trail & Baja (Part 3)

After our successful rescue, we were back on the move and debated whether to head due east across the lake bed in hopes of intersecting the road which would take us south towards San Felipe.  It was a gamble taking the lake bed across to the east as we weren't sure exactly where it would bring us out, or if it even would.  We opted to backtrack the way we came in but this was now going to require us to go back through Mexicali to reach Mex 5 which would take us south again.  Our destination for the day was going to be Bahia de Los Angeles.  From there we'd get back on dirt and head south towards Pancho's place and San Franciscito.  I've been through this stretch several times.  It's always a fun experience stopping in and hanging out with a Baja icon, Pancho.  We planned to camp on the beach just down from his place and hang out for a few days. We ran out of daylight well before Bahia de Los Angeles and found an arroyo to drive up where we wouldn't be seen from the road.  One of my cardinal rules when in Baja is to not drive at night.  It's just not worth it considering the road conditions and the real chance of livestock or burros on the road.We camped in the arroyo for the night and broke camp early the following morning continuing down through Puerticitos, past CoCo's Place and then on to Bahia de Los Angeles, where one always has to stop for fish tacos.  I also ran into the store to pick up a bottle of Tequila and dog food for Pancho.  He lives about 40 miles from the nearest store so anytime someone brings some goodies he's very appreciative of it.  The remainder of the day was spent slogging along the rough ass dirt road south to Pancho's place.  We set up camp, hung out and did much of nothing for the next three days. A few fishermen and Pancho were the only others we saw and we had the beach to ourselves.  At night Pancho would come down for a beer or two and hang out by the fire with us.  With his limited English and our limited Spanish, we mostly sat around the fire, sipped on cold beer and listened to the coyotes back in the dunes.  One thing I was able to get out of Pancho was that the Tequila that I had just given him the previous day was.....finito!  Life in Baja!  More info about Pancho can be read here Pancho from an earlier post. 

View of Bahia de Los Angeles

Pancho

View from the beach looking towards Pancho's place.  He doesn't have much of a dwelling but oh the view and solitude.

Set up camp and stayed for three nights.

 Ike lounging around camp as the fishermen were heading out.

Launching early one morning.

Couple of fishermen came to camp one evening in search of water.  Their captain had left them for the night and forgot to leave any water.  Not that they needed to but they gave us this nice fish for some water and sodas.  I filleted it out and Wayne cooked it up for supper that night.

 A short hike over the beach dunes from camp and you could watch the sunset to the west.

An area of concern to me here was the boldness and quantity of Coyotes in the area.  Ike was constantly chasing them away from camp but I had to keep a close eye on Petey.  He could easily be snatched by a Coyote.  They were a constant around camp and would patrol the beach early each morning.

After three nights at Pancho's, we continued south where we spent one night at San Francisquito before turning west away from the Sea of Cortez.  The Baja 1000 race had just utilized this road the previous month and the trophy trucks had really done a number on it in places.  It was slow going until we reached San Francisquito. We had decided to cross back over to the Pacific side.  On the way, we viewed one of the most impressive caves with paintings I have ever come across.  I've seen many in Baja, but this one was special.  Interesting hanging out here and pondering what must have transpired here hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago.  A local we met in Francisquito told us about it.  It's not marked on any maps and if you don't know what dirt road to turn down it would be really tough to just stumble on it.  You park and have to hike in about a 1/2 mile with a little climbing and there it is.  The view looking out over the valley was impressive as well.  

Next, some new ground that Wayne, nor I, had yet been to in Baja.