Northern Sierra de Guadalupe

South of San Ignacio [1] and Santa Rosalía [2] and west of Mulegé, the Sierra de Guadalupe rises to 1,200- to 1,500-meter peaks in a stretch of mountains that measures 128 kilometers long and 30–48 kilometers wide.

The Jesuits found the terrain suitable for mission life and the Misión Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Huasinapi operated from 1720 until 1795 as one of the most remote settlements on the peninsula. And in the early 20th century, mining company El Boleo bought and established numerous ranches throughout the northern part of the range to support its growing community of workers.

Two scenic roads leave the highway near San Bruno, heading into the mountains, but you’ll need four-wheel drive to negotiate the twists and turns and rocks along the way. At Km. 188, south of the state prison, a 12-kilometer graded road heads west to Santa Agueda.

Local ranchers may be available to guide you to some of the closer cave painting sites, such as La Candelaria, San Antonio, or Los Gatos; however, you’ll need to arrange for a permit in San Ignacio before you go.

The second access road leaves Mexico 1 at Km. 169, south of San Bruno, and leads to the remote farming community of San José de Magdalena, 14 kilometers west. After San José, the road continues another 48 kilometers to several ranchos and the mission ruins. There is little to see at the former mission site except parts of the foundation and adobe walls. This three-hour journey is best left to serious mission trail travelers.