Laguna Hanson
 Laguna Hanson | |
| Trail in Google Maps | |
|---|---|
| creator: | Jeremy Edgar (edgear) |
| Dates: | September 2008 |
| Distance: | 59 miles / 95 kilometers |
| Trail time: | 5 hours |
| Difficulty (1-5): | 1.5 |
| Vehicle classes: | 4WD High-clearance 2WD |
Photos
Location details
México, Baja California Norte, Sierra Juárez, Parque Nacional la Constitución de 1857, La Rumorosa, Ojos Negros
Summary
This is a fairly maintained dirt road connecting the MEX2 and MEX3 highways, heading into the Sierra de Juárez mountain range up to almost 6,000 ft. elevation.
Detailed description
This is one of two places in Baja to see pine trees. That, coupled with the granite boulders and sometimes-perennial body of water, makes for a truly unique site in a region that most think of as only desert & beaches. Laguna Hanson is one of the two largest lakes in Baja (second to Laguna Salada near Méxicali). Depending on the annual rainfall, the lake is only about 1 mile across.
Forest Rangers live onsite at the national park. Rooms are available for rent in a large lodge, or you can rent a separate log cabin. Surrounding the lake are established campsites with tables and fire rings.
The lake is much closer to MEX3 than it is to MEX2. The road in and out is not very technically challenging, but is very scenic. Some corrugations exist, depending on how recently maintenance was last performed. Several working ranches are in the area, so be aware of possible cattle in the road.
Terrain type / brush factor
The terrain is mostly hard packed dirt and decomposed granite, with some areas of sand.
Low brush factor.
Permits? Fees? Seasonal closures?
There is a fee to camp in designated campsites around the lagoon, or you can pay to rent a room in the lodge or log cabins. I believe there is no fee to just drive through the park. There could be snow in the winter time, which could possibly cause closures.
Attendees (vehicles/people)
2004 Toyota Tacoma / Jeremy Edgar (edgear)
History, geology, etc.
The lake is named after J.B. Hanson (some sources state he is from Norway; others from America), who was a settler in the area back in the late 1800’s. At the time he owned much of the land in the present-day national park, and was the first Westerner to discover the lake. The area around the lake was made into a national park by the Mexican government in 1962.
General considerations
One of the most popular times for people to visit Laguna Hanson is Easter week, so it may be difficult to find a place to camp during that time.
The nearest fuel to the north entrance is at a Pemex in La Rumorosa. There is another Pemex in Ojos Negros, which is about 10 miles to the west of the trailhead on MEX3.
Resources/links
GPS units/laptops used for tracking/navigation: Garmin eTrex, MacBook
Navigation software used for planning/navigation: Baja Navigator & Baja Expeditioner from lbmaps.com
Books/maps used for planning: The Baja Adventure Book by Walt Peterson
Baja North adventure map from National Geographic
Baja Quest website decent description of the Laguna Hanson area
Important waypoints as coordinates
Northern trailhead: 32.520514° -116.067402°
Important turns:
Head east into park: 32.052889° -115.911023°
Laguna Hanson: 32.041304° -115.922542°
Head south at the Y: 31.901421° -116.100208°
Southern trailhead: 31.864243° -116.115499°
Pemex (fuel):
La Rumorosa: 32.522405° -116.063803°
Ojos Negros: 31.889515° -116.278581°
