Loreto Mesquite Canyon Hiking

 Loreto Mesquite Canyon Hiking

Mequite Canyon

Well, I try to throw in some adventure - on a daily basis - and so I keep my ears tuned into people saying things like: "That is too dangerous", "Someone broke their leg...", "Don't go there without a guide!"

Mesquite canyon is a spring fed canyon in the local mountains, "Sierra de la Giganta", that has been carved over the millennia. Hurricanes in the wet season must also contribute to the erosion that creates these smooth walls.

As usual, I get butterflys and self doubt. Will I be able to even find the exit to the dirt road through the excavation, past the barbed wire gates, and navigate the multitude of off shoot jeep tracks? What if I get hurt? What if someone steals the dirtbike? OMG, the thoughts I have to push down.

Typical cattle barriers. Unhook, go through, Rehook.

...in the distance...

Prime shade parking!

This is the entrance to Mesquite Canyon.

After the 30 min highway and the 30 minute desert wandering, I arrive, change into my bathing suit and running shoes and mentally prepare for the unknown.

The beginning had me scramble up and around an unclimable smooth waterfall. It was a bit confusing and frankly, sketchy, as the fall from the top would have been 20m! Once past, the walking and navigation was straight forward. My only fear was the temperature of the water. I actually had thoughts that since the rain had not been here for a while, I'd stay dry. Boy, was I wrong. This canyon is spring fed and the pools ranged from very cold to frigid!

At the top of the canyon, you have the option to climb up to the rim and desert walk home. I opted to retrace my steps and keep this as a wet hike. Going back took the unknown out of the hike, I was already wet and I had an idea about how deep the pools were.

But...

While at the upper end, I bumped into a group from SanFrancisco and they convinced me to continue a bit with them. It involved swimming through 2 pools, about 50m each. Shitballs that was cold. I needed to lay on the warm rocks to stop my violent shaking. I could really use a layer of fat...?

Anyways, here is a 9 minute video, some slow, some sped up. 

Enjoy my fear of cold water.