Trail Overview
Starting from the road to Rancho Santa Marta, this 12-mile route takes you through a picturesque desert landscape. Early on, you'll pass an old abandoned farm on the right within a small ejido. The trail is predominantly sandy, with sections where full-sized vehicles may brush against encroaching bushes and cacti, though the path remains manageable. Some sandy stretches reach 3 to 4 inches deep, but overall, the route is relatively easy to navigate. Midway, you'll pass Rancho Santa Elena, where motorcyclists should be cautious of loose dogs. Compared to more heavily traveled routes, this road is smoother, though occasional washboard sections make airing down your tires a good idea for a more comfortable ride. The scenery includes a variety of desert vegetation, from small shrubs to towering cacti, and common wildlife such as rabbits, lizards, and ground squirrels, with the occasional sighting of a fox or desert cat. The route ends at a small church, where a right turn leads to Bahia de Los Angeles and a left turn connects to Highway 1.
Difficulty
While this route is generally not considered very challenging, it does include sections with sand depths of 4 inches or more, which may require four-wheel drive for some vehicles. The difficulty rating assumes dry conditions, and airing down your tires is highly recommended to improve traction and ensure a smoother, more comfortable ride through the sandy stretches.
