Laguna Salada

My original plan was to explore Laguna Salada by driving on the dry lake bed (playa) surface — but it did not turn out to be dry. Instead, I headed south on the dirt road along the west side of Laguna Salada, which starts at a place called Ejido Luchadores del Desierto ("Fighters of the Desert"). See in Google Maps  See on a USGS topographic map  See in Google Earth   32.5719, -115.7943 

Looking East - Sign says, "Ejido Luchadores del Desierto" Laguna Salada - Wet

I stopped at a rocky "island" in the lake bed to survey the area. There were quite a few offroading vehicles at the north end of Laguna Salada. See in Google Maps  See on a USGS topographic map  See in Google Earth   32.4584, -115.7919 

Laguna Salada Laguna Salada - Motorcycles & Offroad VW Bug Laguna Salada

I decided to try a detour east back onto the lake bed to test its surface, but the main route was still impassibly wet.

Laguna Salada - Mud Laguna Salada - Mud Laguna Salada - Mud - Sportsmobile Laguna Salada - Mud

Continuing south, I stopped to camp at some rocks near Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs to see if I could find some of the rock art that was marked on my map . I never did find any petroglyphs that evening, but I did have fun climbing on the rocks, investigating countless holes and caves.

Laguna Salada - Sign for Mexicali - Sportsmobile Cañon Guadalupe Area Cañon Guadalupe Area - Sunset Cañon Guadalupe Area - Beetle Cañon Guadalupe Area - Grotto Cañon Guadalupe Area - Sunset - Rock Cañon Guadalupe Area - Grotto Cañon Guadalupe Area - Sunrise - Grotto Cañon Guadalupe Area - Grotto Cañon Guadalupe Area - Sunrise Cañon Guadalupe Area Cañon Guadalupe Area

The next day, I tried following what looked like the most popular tire tracks in the sand, and they lead me to a canyon with a seeping spring, palm trees, and some rock art! There I also found a grinding hole. I'm told there are many other nearby petroglyph and pictograph areas, but at least I found one site!

Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Grinding Rock Hole Cañon Guadalupe Area - Palm Trees Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Palm Trees Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Petroglyphs Cañon Guadalupe Area - Palm Trees

An olive tree plantation at the Cañon Guadalupe road turn-off — lots of very dry olives on the sand. See in Google Maps  See on a USGS topographic map  See in Google Earth   32.2014, -115.7099 

Laguna Salada - Olive Plantation - Tree Laguna Salada - Olive Plantation Laguna Salada - Olive Plantation - Olives Laguna Salada - Olive Plantation - Olives Laguna Salada - Signs - Cañon del Palomar - Cañon Guadalupe - Sportsmobile

An abandoned vineyard See in Google Maps  See on a USGS topographic map  See in Google Earth   32.1327, -115.6356 

Laguna Salada - Abandoned Vineyard Laguna Salada - Abandoned Vineyard Laguna Salada - Abandoned Vineyard

I tried to find a road heading east, over to Highway 5, but ended up on a bumpy race trail instead. See in Google Maps  See on a USGS topographic map  See in Google Earth   32.0085, -115.4986  The little "CODE" race signs were everywhere. The race trail was painful to drive — because of the bumps, my van would become airborne if I exceeded 15 MPH. For a couple hours, I crept along, until I ran into Mick and his buddies (Americans living in the Mexicali area) who explained how to get back to pavement. Mick also gave me some ideas of other Baja locations to visit. Thanks, Mick!

Laguna Salada - Race Course Marker Sign - "CODE" Off Road Laguna Salada - Race Course Marker Sign - "CODE" Off Road Laguna Salada - Race Route - Sportsmobile Laguna Salada - Race Route Laguna Salada - Race Route - Mick

A lunch break before heading north and east over the lake bed, with mud that was only partially dry. See in Google Maps  See on a USGS topographic map  See in Google Earth   32.0630, -115.4263 

Laguna Salada - Lunch - Sportsmobile Laguna Salada - Sportsmobile Laguna Salada - Too muddy to cross - Geoff Laguna Salada - Crossing water - Geoff

By mid-afternoon, I made it to Highway 5! Heading south towards San Felipe, I passed through my first of many military checkpoints on this trip.

Highway 5 - Military Checkpoint Highway 5 - Military Checkpoint Highway 5 - Military Checkpoint Highway 5 - San Felipe - Feliz Año 2009