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| Moderated by: gwbuild, bartmanaz | ||
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jeffwilh Member
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Are there any hiking trails around San Carlos for the beginner/ intermediate hiker? My experience is limited to the hiking trails around Phoenix. |
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Jimmy Member 
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There are millions, this is a rural area in the Sonora desert. Others will probably chime in with more details. See SC on Google Earth. |
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mesa Member
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This is to clarify the last post a bit. What is correct is that that are lots and lots of places to hike but it is not correct that there are prepared hiking trails of the sort found around US cities with signs saying xxx is 2 miles, yyy is 4.3 miles, maps, etc. The poster probably didn't mean that but you might read that into the post. Here there are lots of canyons and hills with fairly open creek bottoms, cattle trails and in some cases, dirt roads. Just pick a spot that looks interesting and head out. If you go off the dirt roads onto cattle trails, etc, you will likely end up doing some bushwacking from time to time. Many of the desert plants have thorns so depending on you tolerance for scratches and blood, dress appropriately. Many of the canyons are fenced but the locals don't seem to mind people hopping the fences, just NEVER open a gate. Also there are several herds of cattle wandering around but they don't seem to be bothered by hikers. |
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Dickrep Member 
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Mesa, is absolutely correct: I'm not aware of any "trails" similar to the US, but there are many places to hike. Here are three of them: 1/Nacapule Canyon...georgeous scenery, and mostly a walk up the boulder strewn riverbed. There used to be somewhat of a trail that was destroyed with the floods of Hurricane Jimena. 2/"the Waterfall"...perhaps a 45 minute hike. This is a little difficult to find without some guidance, but you must follow the road past two of the La Manga villages and then take a right turn which will put you up against a gate (was closed the last time we were there) of a ranch property. Walk through the ranch and you will find a guy who collects approx 50 pesos a person to hike up the side of the hill until you reach the waterfall. You will find more birds if you go early in the morning. 3/Tetakawi...a strenuous hike up the back side of our famous landmark. I haven't done it myself but I'm told the view is spectacular. happy hiking...Dick |
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Jimmy Member
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Thanks for clarifying. Like was mentioned above, no formal hiking paths "like back home". We're are in Mexico for Gods' sake. I think it is still classified as a 3rd world country. Just enjoy the freedom, (you can still camp and have a fire on the beach!) and hardships, while you are here. Pretty much the desert around San Carlos is similar to what you have around Phx. We also have Miles and Miles of beach to walk too. I suggest once again, research the area with Google Earth (it is free). You will see trails and primitive roads, areas of interest, and there are a LOT of photos of the area on Google earth. Have fun, be safe. Last edited on Wed Mar 10th, 2010 03:56 pm by Jimmy |
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gwbuild Member 
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Another hike of note. Like was said... not official maintained hiking trails. Across from Algodones beach just past the Palmar bridge is 'Rancho el Mar'. They have a small sign on the road advertising horse riding, and homemade cheese. If you pull into their ranch, you can ask to drive up their road which is a couple miles of dirt road. Expect to pay a small fee, maybe $5 per vehicle. At the end of the road is a simple short walk to a beautiful Oasis poket canyon. I personally feel it is the best (easily accessed) in the area now that Nacapule has washed out and dried up. A great place for anyone to spend some time enjoying shade and beauty. Very easy access, short 3-5 minute walk. But the real hike is up the canyon to the Northeast. Head up into the canyon and stay left. It will split, stay left working your way thru on the main cattle trail. About 40-60 minutes in, you reach a couple of incredibly beautiful swimming holes. In the states the area would be considered a "narrows". All tree shaded, spectacular colored rocks. This hike isn't a simple walk-in like Nacapule, but for anyone looking for an afternoon adventure, it can't be beat. |
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lucydmot Member
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I'm in the area through the end of April and looking for folks I can hike and/or kayak with. Are there groups or individuals? I'm 55 years old and a easy to moderate hikes... one to four miles is good - carry my camera. Kayaking - I went alone from Marina Terra Beach to honeymoon island on my own the other day... so that's about my skill level there. Thx, Lucy |
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Ian948 Member 
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Lucy - There is an informal Sea Kayak club meets every couple weeks - next is provisionally planned for the 24th - I believe Fern will announce when plans firmed up, on both boards. Last Sunday was great fun out at the Estuary. Your skill set above mine :-) !! |
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lucydmot Member
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Great I'll hold the date. I have to rent a kayak. Don't have my own. |
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Ian948 Member
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Pretty sure Brian will be renting some - I have to rent as well ! |
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Ian948 Member
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Just in case I misled anyone with the wrong date here is what Fern posted on viva. The Sefarin' Kayakers Group, sponsored by the San Carlos Yacht Club, but welcoming to all, will be doing their next adventure on Thursday, March 25. We plan to leave from the Puesta del Sol area and kayak up to La Manga (hopefully we'll be able to get some lunch but BYOB). We'll meet in the parking lot in front of Barricuda Bob's at 8:30 am and caravan on up. I'll post additional info on this web. If canceled because of weather, I'll post that early Thursday morning. Fern |
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bartmanaz Administrator 
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AlS Member
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I want to publish hikes around San Carlos. Can I get more information from you about hikes you like? Information that would help: - where does it start (description or GPS)? - where does it end? - difficulty? - what do you like about it? - is there a visible path? - what can you see along the way or at the destination? I am starting to write a free San Carlos guide APP. Initially it will be on Android. Initially, it will be aimed at visitors. It will be map and GPS based. I think that there will be several base maps. One certainly will be topographic based. What I hope to do with your information is: 1) Walk the trail myself, tracking it with a GPS (unless you already have a GPS track!) 2) Take the GPS track and put it on the San Carlos map along with pictures and descriptions 3) Share early versions with you. Along with Hiking trails, I think early points of interest will include: 1) free WiFi spots (good for the visitor with cell phone plans up north) 2) Places to rent equipment for activities (bicycle, kayak, scooter, ATV) 3) scenic spots including areas for viewing interesting animals and plants 4) bicycle routes through the desert 5) Gyms with short term rates and facilities You can either post here, or, email me at asjogren1 (at) yahoo (dot) com Thanks for sharing with our community! |
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gwbuild Member
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Great idea. Go for it! Would downloads from say a Garmin watch to the MyGarmin webpage work for the system you intend to use? Where a URL is generated which is overlaid onto a satellite image (or viewable in Google Earth). Or do you need actual GPS waypoints which have been manually designated along a hiking/biking trail with a more "hand-on" style GPS unit? I've been wanting to find a way to get some of the Algodones area mountain bike rides and hikes out to the public. Most people don't realize there's a single-track/trail network which has been layed out in that area.... just a few of the more serious local mtn bikers and trail runners know about them. |
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AlS Member
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gwbuild: However you wish to communicate your trail. Either enough information for me to retrace your steps, or, actual GPS tracks in whatever format you have. |
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gwbuild Member
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Wasn't sure how your mapping system would work. If it is just going off a GPS overlay on a map, that's not enough detail in my mind to make sure someone is able to follow a correct trail. One of these days I'll get a real GPS out on those trails with waypoints, turns and such... |
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AlS Member
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gwbuild, My initial thought is that I draw the track on the custom map and give waypoints, description, and possibly pictures. And the map would exist at several zoom levels - with different details available at each zoom level. Someone with an Android device with GPS can actually follow along and see if their track deviates from the published track. The map would be embedded with the application. Frankly, I think that just having a list of hiking trails and a general route on a map would be a huge improvement. Cairns could mark the more popular routes. I am interested in your concern, gwbuild. |
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AlS Member
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Perhaps I can publish hikes additionally in a format better suited to hikers/bicyclers. Would a GPX file of the hikes around San Carlos be useful as a secondary deliverable? Or, is there another way you would prefer to see these trails? |
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AlS Member
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I already have Topo maps of the area 1:50,000 - and I can buy Digital Raster Maps at that same scale. Are there 1:20,000 Topo maps of the area available anywhere? I looked, but did not find any. |
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gwbuild Member
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Where did you find topos for the area? |
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AlS Member
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Several years ago I bought paper 1:50,000 Topos of Guaymas, San Carlos, and a couple of quadrangles northwest along the coast. I bought them from Omni and had them delivered to Seattle. San Carlos is quadrangle G12A19. http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/mex-map.htm Recently I found a source for Digital Raster Maps that you can buy. I have not tried it. In fact, I cannot figure out if they deliver the DRG file electronically or via the postal service. http://www.mexicomaps.com/mexico_topographic_maps.lasso?-session=mmid:181325021de8e24A6AgINOF4B974 |
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canamex Member
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Hello, I've hiked quite a few areas around San Carlos. Mostly just bush wacking and animal trails but also Teta Kawi a few times, and all the trails you mentioned. I've been up to several ridges and view spots from high hills. I'd be interested in going with anyone on some more of these exploratory hikes. I usually carry a garbage bag to take out litter so I am a little concerned about making some of the easier walks more available. Seems the grafitti /basura crowd has done enough damage at the beaches and Nacapule etc. Anyway, I'm around until May 2011 so PM me or reply to this thread. Thanks, Michael PS I'm reasonably fit, 60...and kayak and mountain bike as well. |
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AlS Member
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News: I just got topographic base map data for the Guaymas/ San Carlos area. The source of the data is US NASA - so there are NO restrictions on use or distribution. It was well hidden, took a lot of manipulation, and still needs a bit of cleanup and field verification. The contour interval is 20 meters - although it is currently displayed in feet. It is in a vector format - so it is easy to add anything to it - trails, landmarks, roads, gates that block access. Currently it is ONLY contours. Definitely a work in progress. When more complete it can easily be added to Garmin devices, PC/Mac viewers, Android, iPad/iPhone/iTouch, or print sections at specific zoom levels. Lots of others are possible too. |
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AlS Member
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Michael (CanaMex), I would like to join you for some hikes. I'm 58, but perhaps not quite as buff. We returned to Seattle for the holidays and will be back Jan 7. asjogren1 (at) yahoo (dot) com |
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canamex Member
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Hello, Sure, get in touch when you get back to San Carlos. I'm not "buff" either. I just really like to get out in the desert and I find its more rewarding when I actually climb a big hill or get a different view. Usually an hour or so getting someplace is about right. Then, stop and enjoy the birds, plants and ... back home, maybe for a siesta ;-) email me with PM when you like. Thanks, Michael Last edited on Mon Jan 3rd, 2011 09:29 pm by canamex |
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AlS Member
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SunDial, El Tomate, & Desert Trails Gates. Where are they? Are they legal? Is there "toll"? I am building a custom map of San Carlos/Guaymas and want to collect and publish so visitors and residents can enjoy all that this wonderful place has to offer. Saturday I visited the SunDial for the first time in 5 years. Obviously, the electronic gate is new since my last visit. By trial and error I found a route along the shore, behind the gate, and simply walked to the historic site. I have GPS track of how to bypass the gate. I can publish this track. But, I am not certain that I should. I don't know if the gate is legal. And neither do I know if the bypass is legal. The number of gates blocking access to hikes and bicycle routes is increasing. I remember the SunDial was a wonderful spot to take visitors. It was an easy 10 minute walk that most people could easily negotiate. And the views were spectacular. The bypass of the gate is NOT for everyone. One needs to scramble over questionable terrain. It is very sad that the SunDial is now unavailable to the majority of visitors and residents. Have the local government authorities said anything about this? Is that gate legal? Should that gate be opened during daylight hours, or modified, so that hikers can again enjoy the spot donated to the community many, many years ago? Where are all these other gates? Are there conditions that allow traversal? Is a "toll" required? Are only certain classes of travel allowed? Are there specific hours of operation? I plan to incorporate any of this information in the custom map. And make that map available for free for non-commercial use for the visitors and residents of San Carlos. If we share the information we know about San Carlos, more of us will be able to enjoy this wonderful place. asjogren1 (at) yahoo (dot) com |
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bjbritton Member
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Thanks for your information on these hikes. Do you anyone who is a hiking tour guide? I would like to hire someone to guide several of us up to the "narrows" you mentioned. I did it several years back and couldn't find it again without a guide! But, I remember the 60-minute one-way hike up in the mountains was worth it. |
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AlS Member
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BJBritto - We have run into someone from Gary's Dive Shop that does some hiking tours. We ran into him and his clients at Nacapule Canyon. We have talked with people who have used him and they told us that they were impressed. We don't remember his name. But, the Dive Shop should be a good place to start. |
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bjbritton Member
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Thank you! I will give it a try. |
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gwbuild Member
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There was some... er... heated discussion on the sun dial gate on the other forum. Some felt the gate was not legal, but unless the police get involved, it is there to stay and opened only at will by whomever installed it. You can go over to the beach club and hike out to the sundial. Its unfortunate that to do this you have to pass some sketchy terrain along the cliff side and (at least to me) are made to feel like a trespasser as you go by the houses on the cliff. But technically there would be space enough for a public corridor along the cliffs to allow access. Maybe a community effort to actually construct a safe trail along the side would be the way to go. Seeing such an effort, maybe the gate owners would create a walking space at their gate instead of wanting a full blown trail to be built between their house and the water. This is definitely a touchy subject in some circles though... |
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AlS Member
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The east side of the peninsula is easier to navigate along the rocky beach to bypass the gate to the sun dial. |
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FredR Member
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It's a year later and we ran into a locked gate - any updates? This place has a very special meaning for us. So much so, that in the "pre-gate" years we collected garbage to keep it tidy. |
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canamex Member
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The gate is a shame and I doubt the legality of blocking access. I've just climbed over on the left side and also just rolled under it (it is about 12" or more clearance and easy). Keep picking up the litter please. I do it on all my walks. There are loads of great places to hike and some of the ranchers are happy with a 50 peso fee to cross their land. They appreciate a cold drink, a candy bar, and friendly folks trying to speak Spanish. Most of the hills are an hour or two max and worth the effort to enjoy the view. Many of the canyons and arroyos are amazing too. Enjoy, Canamex |
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FredR Member
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You are agile. You can climb and roll :-) That's not an option for many including me. Using the precedent of this subdivsion, it may be plausible for any other subdivision to do the same. That sure would make a mokery out of the intent of the law to provide access to the coastline for all. Let's hope it does not come to that. The sun dial has been a popular tourist attraction for many years and it appears that it is now lost in favor of private rights established long after the sun dial was built... Thanks for the tips anyway. |
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WRodriquez Member
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AlS wrote: The east side of the peninsula is easier to navigate along the rocky beach to bypass the gate to the sun dial.By "easy to navigate" do you mean that the path is straightforward, or that the trail is not inclined or uneven? I am trying to figure out what people mean when they talk about the skill level for a hike? Is an expert hike long, include actual climbing, dangerous in some way? I would like to get out more, but I am not sure what to expect with some of these hikes. |
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AlS Member
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I have not hiked this for about 5 years, so it might have changed. Mid-tide or lower allowed a fairly easy hike along the beach on the east side until I found a way upwards (west) to the subdivision. I wore old tennis shoes and carried no walking stick. As a reference for ability - I have hiked Tetakowi from the road side. I found it easy, but strenuous going up. Descent was tense for me. |
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WRodriquez Member
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Why was going down tense? Is this because the incline was so severe going up? |
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AlS Member
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Why tense? Loose material. And perhaps bifocal glasses that make depth perception when looking down different. |
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