Rancho El Papalote Road

Trail Overview

After leaving the paved road to the observatory, you'll find yourself on a well-maintained dirt road leading to Rancho El Papalote. Despite the road's upkeep, the initial stretch features rough washboard sections, so it's advisable to air down your tires now if you plan to continue beyond the ranch road. This road is accessible to most vehicles with decent clearance, though you'll encounter a narrow, tree-lined passage near another ranch. When you reach the gate at Rancho El Papalote, it's typically latched but not locked, unless the owner, Senor Alfredo, is away, which is rare. If it is locked, the adventure ends here. Be sure to close and latch the gate behind you. Senor Alfredo is usually on-site with his wife and ranch hands, and you can ask his permission to pass through another gate near the ranch house, which he will gladly grant. Take a moment to chat with Senor Alfredo--his life is fascinating, and building a good relationship is crucial for keeping these trails open. Beyond his ranch, you'll encounter two more gates, after which the road becomes much more challenging, marking the start of a tougher adventure. There is a fork to the right after the main gate, as shown in the images. This fork bypasses the ranch house and eventually merges with the longer trail, but its passage or difficulty was not confirmed on this run.

Photos of Rancho El Papalote Road

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Difficulty

This is a maintained road that is accessible by any vehicle with high clearance.

Technical Rating