Cave Painting

Sierra de San Francisco Cave Murals Expedition, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Saturday – Friday, March 29 – April 4, 2008
$600.00

Phone: (619) 594-7271

Email: jim.lustig@sdsu.edu

Outings List, Dates, and Prices

SIERRA de SAN FRANCISCO CAVE MURALS EXPEDITION APPLICATION

Online Registration


DESCRIPTION WELCOME!

Baja Trips (pdf)

Thank you for your interest in what has been a “trip of a lifetime” for our small groups of Baja Adventurers over the past seven years. We pride ourselves on leading safe, enjoyable cave mural expeditions to Baja California and are committed to small groups and friendly atmosphere. Eight adults plus two leaders travel together in one 15-passenger Ford van. The information that follows will give you a clear picture of the type of adventure you can expect. We hope you will join us.

ABOUT THIS TRIP

The Sierra de San Francisco region is a very remote area of Baja California. The first dirt road leading into this region was built about twelve years ago. Before that time, access to the area was only possible on pack animal or on foot. The small ranches of this region are spread out and the populations are small - the populations of Rancho San Francisco and Rancho Guadalupe are 60 and 30 respectively. The trip from Rancho Guadalupe to the cave murals is physically demanding and includes a 2000-foot descent into the remote canyon.

Although this trip takes place in a region little more than a day’s drive from San Diego, the small ranching communities of the Sierra de San Francisco may give the feeling of stepping back 100 years in time. The 6,000-year-old cave paintings and artifacts that we have come to see will not disappoint. At some sites, entire walls will be covered, many of them life-size. Archeologists and anthropologists have many theories on the paintings that we hope to share with you throughout the trip. This is a rare opportunity to glimpse a world that no longer exists and to learn more about the original inhabitants who once thrived in this beautiful region.

Aztec Adventures offers a unique opportunity to visit a very special area – Canyon San Gregorio. Most travelers to this area visit Canyon Santa Teresa. In fact, we have taken groups to Santa Teresa for many years. However, it is our goal to minimize the impact on this delicate resource and we feel Canyon Santa Teresa is receiving too much visitor impact. If this is your first time to the cave mural region, then you may not appreciate the difference. San Gregorio is a little more challenging to reach, but the cave murals have been visited much less. In the words of Harry Crosby, “the walls of the Arroyo San Gregorio are lined with more art than those of any other natural avenue in and out of the Sierra de San Francisco”. Unlike Santa Teresa, we will not find wooden boardwalks, railings and signs in each of the caves—thus giving us a more pristine and authentic feel. In addition, the small ranch in Canyon San Gregorio is one of the oldest in the region and supports an amazing fruit orchard. The leather crafts and agricultural practices of this 300-year old ranch family are truly fascinating.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WEATHER

Expect the highs to be in the 80’s and the lows in the 50’s. Rain is not common at this time of year, but we will expect the best and plan for the worst. Because most of our time will be spent down in the Canyon, wind should not be a problem.

COST

Included in the Cost:

The fee includes two professional leaders, all special permits and entrance fees, round trip transportation via air conditioned 15-passenger van, 8 meals (4 breakfast, 4 lunches & 4 dinners/desserts), complete personal outfitting and group camping gear (see equipment lists), pack animal fees, and two night’s motel lodging at beginning and end of trip (based on quadruple occupancy).

NOT Included in the Cost:

Out-of-pocket expenses include six road meals, two hours of whale watching at Laguna Ojo de Liebre (approx. $60), favorite snack foods to supplement your diet between meals, and a $22 tourist card fee. Additional expenses may include motel fees if single or double supplement is desired and pack mule fees if you do not desire to carry a heavy backpack.

GRATUITIES

If you feel that our local cave painting guides have done a good job, a monetary gratuity is always appreciated. Better yet, the families of the guides often have leather crafts for sale and by purchasing these you are contributing to their continued craftsmanship and their local economy.

CANCELLATION POLICY: PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING FOR AN OUTING

  1. If you cancel from an outing twenty (20) working days (M-F) prior to the pre-trip meeting (or outing departure date if there is no pre-trip meeting), you are entitled to a refund less a twenty-five percent (25%) handling fee or a credit voucher good for the full amount which can be used toward another outing. Credit vouchers are valid through the end of the academic year. Note: transferring from one trip to another constitutes a cancellation and must be done within the aforementioned deadline to avoid loss of fee.
  2. If you must cancel from an outing after the aforementioned deadline (above), you may receive a refund (less a 25% handling fee) or a credit voucher good for the full amount ONLY IF WE CAN FILL YOUR VACATED SPOT. Please note that all other spaces must be filled before we can fill your space. If we are unable to fill your vacated spot, you will not be entitled to a credit voucher or refund. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  3. Sometimes, we must cancel an outing due to low enrollment. In such a situation, we try to contact enrolled participants either by the Monday prior to the outing or the day of the pre-trip meeting. Enrolled participants will be eligible for a full refund or credit voucher.
  4. In the event of cancellation due to unforeseeable circumstances on the part of Aztec Adventures (bad weather, natural disaster, or instructor illness for example), we will make every attempt to reschedule the outing or issue a full refund or credit voucher.

RISKS/ HAZARDS/ SAFETY

Practically speaking, the nearest medical facilities are here in San Diego—600 miles away. The only realistic way to get back to San Diego is to drive. Everyone on this trip must make a conscious effort at all times to be safe. One person’s disdain for safety will always result in more hardship for the rest of the group. The rough terrain of the Sierras is filled with cactus and wildlife as dangerous as rattlesnakes. If there is an accident or injury that requires medical attention beyond the scope of our leader's experience, the trip is immediately over without refund. Everyone will also be asked to help with the evacuation. Our leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders and are highly trained to administer first aid in this environment. However, while they can treat injuries, they cannot always prevent them. Included in your confirmation packet will be a brochure for short term travel insurance—please take advantage of the low cost if you have any concerns.

 

Hiking

OUR EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

This trip is designed for people who are self-motivated and want to make the most of their Cave Mural experience. Plan on being a contributing member of a group of twelve. The leaders will often need to make decisions based on the needs of the group – not the special needs of one individual. This is a group experience and everyone is expected to help with all the camping tasks such as: cooking meals and clean-up, setting up camp, and organizing gear. No drugs or alcohol will be allowed while we are camping. It has been our experience that people who drink alcohol become inflexible as well as a danger to others on the trip. In addition the local ranch communities strive to be alcohol and drug free. Come on the trip to enjoy the sights of the Canyon and the company of your fellow trip members.

HEALTH/PHYSICAL CONDITIONING

This trip is strenuous and treacherous. Trail conditions are primitive at best (loose rock and cactus everywhere). In order to access some of the caves, scrambling over boulders and climbing steep slopes is required. We will be hiking for up to five hours at a time. Staying well hydrated, taking your time, resting when necessary (but not for too long) and keeping your energy level high is essential. Again, one of the reasons these cave paintings are so well preserved is that they are hard to reach. The hike in and out of the canyon has a similar “steepness” to Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Regional Park. If you can comfortably hike up and down Cowles twice in a matter of several hours with a 15-pound daypack—consider yourself prepared for this trip. If you have any reservations about participating, PLEASE, on behalf of all of your fellow group members, check with your health care professional and our trip leaders before committing to this trip.

FOOD/COOKING

Plan on this aspect of the trip being very rewarding. We hope you will be amazed (as many of our trip members have been) by some of the delicious dishes we will prepare together. Examples of common dinner meals include: pasta and cheese, vegetarian chili and cornbread, chicken and rice, enchiladas, stir-fry; and for breakfast, granola, oatmeal, fruit, cream of wheat, and muffins. Drinks and desserts include: cocoa, coffee, tea, lemonade, soup, brownies, cakes, and cobbler. Lunch food is salami, cheese, bagels, peanut butter, jelly, hummus, carrots, granola bars, and snack mix. All trip members will be asked to assist equally with preparing and clean up of all meals.

CAMPING

While enroute to and from the Caves, we will be staying in a small motel in the town of Guerrero Negro. Our canyon campsites, however, are as primitive as they get. The only water available is from a small stream. Camping will be on the hard ground or in a sandy wash. Cactus of amazing variety abounds. Because we wish to safeguard this very fragile resource, we will camp within close proximity to one another—in other words, the opportunity to spread out for privacy reasons is not an option.

STEWARDSHIP

It is important to the Aztec Adventures program to minimize our impact on the natural environment and resources from which we derive so much enjoyment and knowledge. We will require that everyone pack out all trash from the Canyon. In addition, to protect the water sources it is important to clean our equipment and our bodies at an appropriate distance. Included in your confirmation packet will be a handout on specific minimum impact essentials. We require that you not only read it, but also agree to practice all of the techniques.

ABOUT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

The small ranchos in the Sierra raise goats for their subsistence. These beautiful people are very poor financially, but live a very simple and pure life. It is very important that we show our respect and humility when visiting with them. Specifically, we should not expect to be welcomed with open arms and made to feel at home. We are visitors only. Some visitors are appalled by the living conditions of the community; however, they are very happy and caring people—we should only be so fortunate. It is important to the Aztec Adventures Outdoor Program to give something back to the places and communities from which we derive so much enjoyment and knowledge. When we visit the small ranchos in the Sierra, we bring with us durable clothes such as jeans, jackets, shoes and especially children’s clothing. These fine people struggle economically and a generous donation of clothing is always appreciated over money. Other helpful items are old cookware and utensils. We hope you will go through your closet for items you no longer wear or use and bring them on the trip.

YOUR TRIP LEADERS

The two leaders on this trip have extensive experience traveling in Baja California. They are seasoned veterans of many amazing adventures both in Baja California and all over our country. They have led trips well beyond the scope of this one. However, most of all, they hope to share this amazing experience with a small group of friendly and considerate people.

CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT

Each person will be required to carry a backpack large enough to hold all of your personal clothing and camping gear. We will use pack animals or “burros” to pack in our group equipment such as food and cook gear. Although these animals are very strong and agile, the less we bring, the less these beasts of burden will have to carry. (Also, these animals are not domesticated pets and should not be approached by anyone other than our guides.) No one will be allowed to ride a mule unless afflicted by serious injury or illness.) If you prefer to have a burro carry your personal gear, this can be arranged for an additional $40 per day.

Clothing:

Personal Equipment:

***Your duffel bag will be transported on top of the van and difficult to access once we depart. Therefore, please pack your “essential items” in your daypack so that you may keep them with you in the van.

Personal Equipment that Aztec Adventures will Provide:

Group Equipment that Aztec Adventures will Provide:

 

Man looking at Cave

ITINERARY

Pre-Trip Meeting:

A required pre-trip meeting will be held Thursday, March 24, at 7:00pm at the Aztec Recreation Center on 55th Street adjacent to the Cox Arena. Directions and a parking permit will be provided with your confirmation.

Saturday, March 29

Depart from San Diego State at 5:30 am. It is a very long and challenging day of driving. We will make rest stops in Ensenada, San Quintin, Catavina and wherever else necessary for the comfort of the group. Keep in mind that we will need to be efficient--long delays will put us in danger of driving after dark. Our expectation is to arrive at the Motel Don Gus in the town of Guerrero Negro at dusk. Dinner is on your own at nearby restaurant.

Sunday, March 30

Drive to Laguna Ojo de Liebre for a morning of whale watching at your own expense (you can go out in a panga with professional guide for approx. $60 or you can view whales from a distance hiking along shoreline). Depart approx. 11am and back on the road to the town of San Ignacio. We will spend the afternoon visiting the museum, Mission and enjoying town. We will camp near the Oasis for the night. Dinner will be on your own in town.

Monday, March 31

Up early and back on road to Rancho San Francisco to check in with Don Enrique Arces and move on to Rancho Guadalupe to meet our guide Ramon and the pack animals. Quickly and efficiently load up our gear and hike approx 3 hours into Canyon Santa Teresa for first night’s stay. There will be toilets and piped water source at this campsite.

Tuesday, April 1

On trail after breakfast hiking approx. two hours to our first cave site: Cueva La Soledad. From La Soledad it is a short scramble/descent down to Cueva La Pintada. After sufficient viewing and appreciation of these two sites and lunch break in between—we will make our way to Cacarizo for our second night stay. This camp site is primitive in that it has no toilet facilities. However, it has nice tent/sleeping areas as well as a protected area for the cooking meals.

Wednesday, April 2

Secure camp and day hike to Cueva La Musica and the Petroglyph Site—approx. one hour’s walk. Then on to Boca San Julio to visit another mural site and enjoy lunch by the creek—with the opportunity to cool off in the beautiful pools. When everyone has had their fill, hike approx. one hour back to Cacarizo for another night.

Thursday, April 3

On trail after early breakfast for 2 hour hike back to Santa Teresa stopping to visit the very interesting Cueva Las Flechas. Eat lunch at Santa Teresa before hiking the 2-3 hours out of the canyon to Rancho Guadalupe . Visit with families and say our goodbyes. Drive to Guerrero Negro and stay at Motel. Dinner is on your own at nearby restaurant.

Friday, April 4

Depart from Guerrero Negro at 5:30 am. It is a very long and challenging day of driving. Breakfast on your own in El Rosario. Lunch on your own in Ensenada or Rosarito (if necessary). Hopefully, we will be back to SDSU no later than 7:00 pm.

REGISTRATION OR OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have questions that can’t wait or concerns about the trip, please call or email:

Jim Lustig, Aztec Adventures at SDSU
Phone: (619) 594-7271
Email: jim.lustig@sdsu.edu

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(619) 594-6958
aztecadventures@ sdsu.edu