.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: 2.5 (1-5 scale)

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.

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

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
Jump 1 Video (1.3mb) Jump 2 Video (1.8mb)
Climb Video | Caravan Video	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 an 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 lilly. It was totally breathtaking! We were also treated to an Osprey and it's 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 came 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

GO TO DAY 2