Sierra El Pinacate, Altar Desert Mexico Expedition
Dates: 2/13-16/2004
Trail Time: 3 Days
Location: Sonora Mexico
Mapping / GPS / Waypoint File: .GIF Map Image Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 / .MPS (Mapsource) Track File for day one only. Contact me if you would like additional navigation information on the extremely remote and rugged track for day 2 and 3
Maps available for Sonora:
Sonora Area Maps
Sonora GPS Maps
Topo Maps
Trail Rating (1-5 scale): 2.5
The difficulty of this trail is identified by Day:
Day 1: (2.5 rating) 4wd and low air pressure required, very deep sand along the beach to the salt flats. More deep sand and hills while traveling through the Desierto De Altar.
Day 2 and 3: (3 rating) Remote and rugged with rocks, sand, crossed axle terrain, etc. High clearance vehicle with good tires and low range gearing.
Major Obstacle: The major obstacle for this expedition was the remote location. If traveling unsupported, you could be required to walk 30+ miles to get help. (Note: It is particularly important to monitor the tides, as they can rise over two meters, and easily trap a vehicle. The salt flats can also be dangerous, as traveling even a few feet off of the compacted main trail will likely result in a stuck vehicle)
Attendees:
Scott and Stephanie- 1998 Isuzu Trooper with VenturCraft Trailer
Doron Strassman and Daughter- 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser UZJ100
BajaTaco and Wife in his 1998 Toyota Tacoma
Several other vehicles and riders from 4wdtrips.net
Day 1
The first day of our Sierra Pinacate adventure started with an early meeting location in Yuma before crossing the border at San Luis. The group crossed easily without any secondary inspections. Soon we were driving south on SON40 towards El Golfo de Santa Clara. We were waved through the military check point in El Doctor and drove the remaining 25 miles to the start of our trek. We topped off our gas tanks in El Golfo, and some in our party purchased fresh clams from the local fisherman.
As opposed to our inland route taken on our last trek through the Altar Desert, we followed the coast of the Sea of Cortez for about 23.5 miles, stopping for lunch and enjoying the view of the sea. After driving below a few miles of sharp cliffs (use caution in high tide), even requiring a few shallow water crossings, we made the turn NE towards the salt flats @ (N31 29 50.2 W114 09 39.2 NAD27 Datum). We drove the ~22 miles from the sea to the rail road tracks, having a little fun on the smaller dunes.
A little "air" time in the Altar
Doron's 100
Jack's 4Runner
Trooper and VenturCraft
Deep sand along the gulf
SE edge of the Altar
After taking the track NE along the salt flats towards the rail tracks, we took the road along the north side of the tracks heading east (N31 42 47.7 W113 59 16.4). There is signage for entering Gran Desierto De Pinacate Natural Park. The desert unfolded before us and we were treated with a beautiful array of wild flowers. The track held a completely different visual impact then our trip in October. There was a thick bouquet of primrose, Verbena, Globe mallow and Lily. It was totally breathtaking! We were also treated to an Osprey and its large nest.
Globe Mallow
Traversing the Altar
Primrose
We drove along the tracks for 12 miles, before exploring a side trail (N31 37 58.4 W113 49 14.6) to the south of the tracks. This side trail weaves through the salt flats and comes back the the main trail 8 miles later (it is much slower than the main track). We drove the short distance to the small rail station of Gustavo Sotelo, where we made camp along the beach that night (N31 32 37.2 W113 44 30.5). We were treated with a fantastic sunset over the Vermilion Sea.
The Altar
A cool VW Syncro 4x4
Part of the expedition
Sunset
Day 2
We broke camp, brewed hot tea for the day's journey, and left the sea and headed north into the Altar desert in search of a southern approach to the Sierra Pinacate. After exploring several roads, we selected a well defined track that went north towards the Volcan Santa Clara. This road began an eastward turn, and we were soon back onto MEX8. We were aware of another road into the Biosfera del Pinacate approximately 17 miles north of where we entered the highway. MEX8 is a very well maintained road that takes travelers to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point).
Shells at Camp 1
Desert Lily
Wild Horses
The Altar was in full bloom!
Trooper
Old Truck Door
Great subject
We drove NW into the Altar, south of the Volcan El Pinacate, on a narrow track of drivable terrain between the tall volcanic slopes and the 400' dunes of the desert. This watershed yielded incredible flowers, with some wildflowers nearly reaching the top of the truck. The recent rains had blessed the desert.
This route was one of the more challenging I have encountered in Sonora, and would require a high clearance 4wd with good tires due to the sharp rocks and deep gullies. We continued NW crossing several lava flows. The scenery held such amazing diversity, beyond what one could comprehend in this arid, rugged place.
We made camp 2 at the edge of the sand dunes with plenty of time to explore on foot. Taking advantage of the cool temperatures, we ventured into the dunes, climbing the tallest in the area at ~400'. From the top of the dune you could see the Tinijas Altas in US, and the Gulf of California.
Day 3
MacDougal Crater
The Volcan El Pinacate
We left camp early on day three, with our sights set on the massive craters South of Sierra Hornaday. We drove from our camp by the dunes through the massive lava flows, canyons and washes of the western watershed of the Pinacates. Route finding in this remote area proved challenging, and we were thankful for the 2M HF radios installed in our vehicles.
We drove north until reaching the Tinaja de los Papagos (Tanks) where we stopped for lunch and to explore these natural cisterns in the rocks of this narrow canyon. These tanks are one of the few year round water sources in the Pinacate range. There are several tanks that hold water up the canyon. This is an easy hike/scramble, but worth the trek (N31 55 07.3 W113 36 25.6).
A view down the canyon and of one of the Tinajas
Notice the grinding holes
Trebol Crater
After our break at the tanks, we drove the western loop trail towards the Trebol (Molina) Crater (31 57.900 N, 113 37.020 W, elev. 826 ft), with its three perfectly shaped volcanic craters. A short drive from Trebol is the MacDougal Crater (31 58.470 N, 113 37.090 W, elev. 853 ft). These craters are identified as a maar crater, when rising magma meets underground water sources, creating extreme pressure from the subsequent steam. This pressure builds until the ground explodes, leaving these beautiful craters.
After viewing the craters, we made the short drive to MEX2 at the northern end of the park. (N32 02 53.6 W113 33 21.2).
This was a fantastic trip, made even better by the blooming flowers and great companions!
View the entire main album here.
