TRAVEL ALERT: Cañón del Tajo / El Gran Trono Blanco, Baja California, September 2025

TRAVEL ALERT :  Cañón del Tajo / El Gran Trono Blanco, Baja California, México    September 2025  (also posted under Southern California) 

The season for climbing will arrive at the end of September, so I am posting the latest news.

Cartel violence intensified in April & May in the small town of La Rumorosa on highway Mex 2. This is the where the dirt road begins when driving to Cañón del Tajo from the north. https://newsweekespanol.com/2025/05/09/inseguridad-la-rumorosa-guardia-estatal-crimen  Dozens of residents of La Rumorosa have "disappeared" (a Mexican euphemism for kidnapped or killed by cartels). A cartel burial pit, with 10 or more bodies, was found in La Rumorosa. Other residents were intimidated and threatened by cartel thugs. They were afraid to leave their homes, and there was a curfew imposed for a short time. A friend was beaten by thugs armed with "cuernos de chivo" (goat horns), the AK-47 assault rifle preferred by cartels. 

The other route, when driving from Ensenada, passes through Laguna Hanson, which also had violence in April to early May.  https://benjaminpena.com.mx/2025/05/10/operativo-condor-2/  

Cartel violence intensified due to turf battles. The Sinaloa Cartel is at war with the New Generation Jalisco Cartel. The Sinaloa cartel fractured with the takedown of "El Chapo" Guzman and sons into the Chapitos and the Mayos. One faction aligned with the Rusos of Mexicali, the other aligned with the remnants of the Arellano-Felix Tijuana cartel. La Rumorosa is caught in the middle, as it is geographically located between Mexicali and Tijuana.

The good news is that the violence has calmed during July and August. 

Two weeks ago, an estadounidense (USA citizen) climber's vehicle was intentionally disabled and vandalized at basecamp by armed men. They were said to have arrived on two consecutive days, The climber was in hiding and heard gunshots. That seems to be a clear warning to stay away. At this time, it is only the reason for the incident is only speculation. The yuca (agave) poachers carry machetes, but are also known to carry guns. The marihuana growers may be within a month or two of harvest time, but any year-round water source for cultivation is at least 3 miles from basecamp. Clandestine temporary meth labs have been found in these mountains. One was discovered by the Army 2 or 3 years ago, about 8 miles from basecamp. The Sierra de Juárez wilderness dirt roads avoid the paved highways and have long been a route for smuggling drugs. 

Not knowing the source or cause of this perplexing incident is disquieting. The local ranchers have no information about the perpetrators. I will make contact with one or two of the ejidos (farming/ranching cooperatives). Basecamp is located exactly at the intersection of three vast ejidos. If there is any news, I will update this post. Let's hope that it is an isolated incident, and not repeated.

Thanks for the update. Sad to hear. All the folks I met in that area back in 2014 were wonderful. 

Thanks for the update!

¡Hola Harrington! The latest news is that the situation in La Rumorosa has improved. The residents seem to have less concern and it is business as usual in town. Three weeks ago, a youth rodeo was attended by hundreds, as if the cartel violence was a distant memory. 

There have been no new incidents at basecamp that i am aware of. A few ecotourism groups have parked, then hiked to the summit of Trono Blanco without problem.

That is great to hear!!! Hope to make it down again this spring!