Outlier Ridge to Tower
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.12 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,267 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 2,316 ft
- Max elevation
- 8,077 ft
- TrailRank
- 38
- Min elevation
- 6,010 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 4 hours 28 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1174
- Uploaded
- January 13, 2012
- Recorded
- January 2012
near Chapala, Jalisco (Mexico)
Viewed 2969 times, downloaded 18 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
OVERVIEW:
The main ridge in this area is a beautiful walk in a park-like environment with expansive views to the north and south. In places it is only fifteen feet wide with sharp drop offs on both sides. The challenge of this hike is in gaining the ridge and dropping back down by very steep, overgrown and poorly-defined goat trails.
TRAILHEAD:
To reach the trailhead go north on a gravel road just east of the Technical Institute on the Libramiento. After 1.5 km or so, there is a major gate and shortly afterward a branch to the left. Drive past a couple of shanty rancheros and park where large boulders are blocking a dirt road branching to the left. Begin by hiking west along this dirt road. However, first notice the bulldozer paths on the ridge to the north where the return path exits out of the bush near the highest of them.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
Follow the dirt road west up the Travesano ravine for approximately twenty minutes to find a clearing. There is a major trail here branching left that continues up the ravine but we continue on the dirt road as it bends right towards the north side of the main ridge. After five to ten minutes, take a well worn trail leaving the left side of the road. This leads up the steep side of the ravine. Keep to the right at branches where the trail splits. Eventually, arrive at the top of the ridge.
Follow the ridge west to the ridge high point at 8000 feet where there is a spectacular view to the south from a major clearing. An old communications tower, now fallen down, is here. After refreshment return east along the main ridge trail. Be careful not to branch left down the trail to Ixtlahuacan. This branch is just after a major dip in the ridge trail. Continue well beyond the trail junction where you came up the side of the ridge. The trail south down the ridge side is marked with a plastic bag. (Don't hesitate to explore a short distance further along the ridge to a major clearing with awesome views.)
The first 100 feet down the side of the ridge requires bush whacking. Look for red ribbons at a good trail going east at first and then swinging south. You can see your car parked below. Use your navigation skills to choose the best goat trails to end up at the bulldozer tracks you noticed before leaving the trailhead. Finally follow the tracks down to your car.
The main ridge in this area is a beautiful walk in a park-like environment with expansive views to the north and south. In places it is only fifteen feet wide with sharp drop offs on both sides. The challenge of this hike is in gaining the ridge and dropping back down by very steep, overgrown and poorly-defined goat trails.
TRAILHEAD:
To reach the trailhead go north on a gravel road just east of the Technical Institute on the Libramiento. After 1.5 km or so, there is a major gate and shortly afterward a branch to the left. Drive past a couple of shanty rancheros and park where large boulders are blocking a dirt road branching to the left. Begin by hiking west along this dirt road. However, first notice the bulldozer paths on the ridge to the north where the return path exits out of the bush near the highest of them.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
Follow the dirt road west up the Travesano ravine for approximately twenty minutes to find a clearing. There is a major trail here branching left that continues up the ravine but we continue on the dirt road as it bends right towards the north side of the main ridge. After five to ten minutes, take a well worn trail leaving the left side of the road. This leads up the steep side of the ravine. Keep to the right at branches where the trail splits. Eventually, arrive at the top of the ridge.
Follow the ridge west to the ridge high point at 8000 feet where there is a spectacular view to the south from a major clearing. An old communications tower, now fallen down, is here. After refreshment return east along the main ridge trail. Be careful not to branch left down the trail to Ixtlahuacan. This branch is just after a major dip in the ridge trail. Continue well beyond the trail junction where you came up the side of the ridge. The trail south down the ridge side is marked with a plastic bag. (Don't hesitate to explore a short distance further along the ridge to a major clearing with awesome views.)
The first 100 feet down the side of the ridge requires bush whacking. Look for red ribbons at a good trail going east at first and then swinging south. You can see your car parked below. Use your navigation skills to choose the best goat trails to end up at the bulldozer tracks you noticed before leaving the trailhead. Finally follow the tracks down to your car.
Comments (2)
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Got it see my email
Mr. Green, you my friend must be half mountain goat or something. I tried to follow this route this past weekend and I found it quite impossible to follow, but thanks for sharing it, it served me as inspiration to make my own route. Great views from the ridge!