top of page

Kino Trail to San Juanico, Scorpion Bay

One-way cross peninsula trips from Mulege/Loreto to San Isidro, La Purisima & San Juanico on the Baja 1000/NORAD trail north of Loreto. 

This route through the Sierras los Gigantes was the first cross-peninsula route done in Baja by Spanish explorers, when Padre Kino first organized an expedition led by indigenous guides along this path in the late 1600s. 

Kino found many oasis points and small lakes along this route, which later became ranches to support the various Missions of the region. Today many of those ranches are still active and run by the same families that inherited them from colonial times. 

 

We’ll enjoy majestic high desert plateaus, tall canyon traverses, steep climbs, high mountain vistas and surprisingly abundant greenery and wildlife.

 

After a challenging, steep and rough climb we’ll take a break at a ranch at the high point on the pass. 

 

Then we’ll enjoy a slow, careful steep descent down the mountains toward San Isidro and La Purisima, which has a 60km long “ribbon oasis” with a beautiful flowing river and two of Baja’s most vibrant remote ranchero villages. 

 

After an arrachera/fish taco lunch at an oasis vineyard on the river in La Purisima we’ll take a break to enjoy the river. 

 

Then we’ll continue the drive west and then north across the river along the original road to San Juanico. This road has been “closed” for years but is passable with a good 4x4 or dirtbike and an experienced driver. Some quick trail work and/or tow-assist may be necessary at some of the washed out arroyo-crossing points. 

 

Our guided trip ends in San Juanico, where we can recommend outstanding food and lodging options for you. From there you can continue your journey north along the coastal sand-flats trail to San Ignacio, or you can take the new paved road south to Insurgentes (and back to Loreto or south to La Paz), or you can turn around and go back to Mulege the way we came. 

 

This day-trip is more expensive than most trips because of expenses for our Mulege-based guides to return to Mulege. 

​

Prices per person (2 person minimum):

  • $5500 pesos for “Follow guide in your own 4x4 or UTV”

  • $6000 pesos per 4x4 Ride-along

  • $6500 pesos per motorcycle rider/guide with 4x4 sherpa

  • Discounts for groups of 6 to 10 people

bottom of page