Santa Rosalia, San Ignacio Lagoon
We awoke a little early this morning to find the Sea Bird pulling dockside in Santa Rosalia. A copper mine that was founded in the 1800s, the town still displays its European flavor. Our plan was to travel across the peninsula to the fishing camp of Laguna San Ignacio. Boarding the motor coaches, we were taken up “Cuesta del Infierno” or “Grade of Hell.” This stretch of seven miles outside of Santa Rosalia is full of weaving switchbacks and tight turns. It is also the steepest grade of the entire highway on the peninsula. We also had views of “Las Tres Virgenes” (the Three Virgins), three volcanoes that reach over 6,000 feet in the air. Arriving in San Ignacio, we stretched our legs and traded in our coaches for smaller vans that can travel the remaining distance to the lagoons. Laguna San Ignacio lies at the end of the 40-mile washboard dirt road.
Gray whales, which were thought to be extinct twice, come to the lagoons in Baja California for their winter birthing and mating grounds. San Ignacio lagoon is the only non-developed birthing site for these massive mammals. We boarded our pangas, and eagerly awaited our close encounters of these gentle giants.
After departing the lagoon we again stopped at the town of San Ignacio. This town of about 2,000 people is known for its friendliness and hospitality. The San Ignacio mission is found at the center of the village. Completed in 1786 it is one of Baja California’s finest missions.
We awoke a little early this morning to find the Sea Bird pulling dockside in Santa Rosalia. A copper mine that was founded in the 1800s, the town still displays its European flavor. Our plan was to travel across the peninsula to the fishing camp of Laguna San Ignacio. Boarding the motor coaches, we were taken up “Cuesta del Infierno” or “Grade of Hell.” This stretch of seven miles outside of Santa Rosalia is full of weaving switchbacks and tight turns. It is also the steepest grade of the entire highway on the peninsula. We also had views of “Las Tres Virgenes” (the Three Virgins), three volcanoes that reach over 6,000 feet in the air. Arriving in San Ignacio, we stretched our legs and traded in our coaches for smaller vans that can travel the remaining distance to the lagoons. Laguna San Ignacio lies at the end of the 40-mile washboard dirt road.
Gray whales, which were thought to be extinct twice, come to the lagoons in Baja California for their winter birthing and mating grounds. San Ignacio lagoon is the only non-developed birthing site for these massive mammals. We boarded our pangas, and eagerly awaited our close encounters of these gentle giants.
After departing the lagoon we again stopped at the town of San Ignacio. This town of about 2,000 people is known for its friendliness and hospitality. The San Ignacio mission is found at the center of the village. Completed in 1786 it is one of Baja California’s finest missions.
