1. *
Along this stretch at the bottom of the hill and as the trail begins to climb are primarily Creosote Bushes (Larrea tridentata), known locally as Gobernadora.
Beginning of trail near Marker 1
Entering cut through the old sea floorEntering the cut through the old seabed (limestone)
The ascent begins The ascent begins.
Next steep part of trail
Caliche cliff
2.
On the hill above the caliche cliff face: Old-man Cactus (Lophocereus schottii), Torote Colorado (Bursera microphylla), Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana), Maguey (Agave cerulata var. subcerulata), Palo Adán or Tree Ocotillo (Fouquieria diguetii), Limberbush (Jatropha cuneata) and Creosote Bush.  Along the trail: Brittlebush or Incienso (Encelia farinosa), Limberbush, Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus peninsulae), Pitaya Agria (Stenocereus gummosus), and Creosote.
3.
At the top of the climb, facing the talus slopes of Cerro Tepeyac, look in the foreground for Cholla Barbona (Cylindropuntia alcahes), Casa Rata (Grusonia invicta) and Ruellia (Ruellia californica). In the mid distance, look for Cardón (Pachycereus pringlei), Torote Colorado, Limberbush, and Mesquite.  Farther up the hill are Organpipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi), Cardón, Torote Colorado, Cholla Barbona and Limberbush.  Also nearby the marker are Ragweed (Ambrosia bryantii), Euphorbia tomentulosa, Rock Hibiscus (Hibiscus denudatus), Fishhook cactus (Mammillaria dioica), Casa Rata, and Creosote Bush.
Looking back down along trail and caliche
More of the old seabed (caliche, limestone layer)
Looking back down trail and caliche
Looking back down the trail from limestone cut
Vista from calicheView of San Ignacio from limestone cut
Continuing along trail
Continuing up the trail.
Continuing up the trail, close to top
Another view back down trail at out at townView of town from slightly higher position.
Climbing through lava flowApproaching top of trail across a lava flow
Vista of San Ignacio from near top of trailView of San Ignacio from top of trail
Lava flow at top of trailTop of the climb, across lava flow
Looking up slope at Cerro Tepayac
Panorams of San Ignacio from El Camino Trail
Flat hill on left is the western section of Mesa Rincón (Malpaisal and Arrecife trails).
The Mission is the white building near horizon towards right side.
4.
Look on the uphill edge of the trail for a Cardón, Torote Colorado and Palo Adán in a close embrace, with Organpipe cactus and Cholla Barbona nearby.  On the opposite side of the trail is Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota), Casa Rata, Hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus brandegeei), Palo Adán and Brittlebush. While continuing along the trail, look on the uphill side of the trail in the talus for Torote Colorado and Cardón.  Higher up the slope are a few large Palo Verde trees (Parkinsonia microphylla).
5
Just before the junction on the uphill side is a Cardón and Mesquite.  Right near the rock cairn is a Pitaya Agria.  And on the up side of the trail junction opposite the cairn is Palo Adán, Torote Colorado, and Cholla Barbona.  On the down side of the trail junction is a Pitaya Agria and a small Mesquite.
Looking uphill from Marker 4To right of previous photo, view of Cerro Tepayac
Looking at Cerro Tepayac
Ridge where turkey vultures roostTurkey vultures can often be seen perched on
the rocks just below the top of the ridge.
At the rock cairn (Los Corralitos trailhead) are Rock Hibiscus, Torote Colorado, Ejotón and a small, unbranched Cardón.  Just beyond that junction, in the middle of the Camino Real trail, is a small Ironwood.

8.
At this junction with Los Corralitos, across the trail from the cairn are a small Cardón, Palo Verde, Ejotón, and two Torote Colorado. A Barrel cactus is on the trail at the rock edge. 
Looking along trail from Marker 4From Marker 4, the trail ahead towards south
Looking back along trail from Marker 4Looking back along trail toward Marker 4
Near Vista del Canon junctionAn imperfect panorama, starting with photo to left
Near Vista del Canon junctionLooking back, but nearing Vista del Cañon junct.
Near Vista del Canon junctionand continuing to here, looking uphill from trail.

Photo of trail at Marker 5 Looking back down the trail to the
crossroads with Vista del Cañon Trail


# 5 to #6 Side trip on the Vista del Cañon Trail > >

#7 Side trip to the Virgen de Guadalupe Shrine > >

Basalt ridge and talus slopeThe basalt ridge and talus slope below it.

Continue on Los Corralitos > >
Marker 8 at junction with Los Corralitos
Looking back from Los Corralitos trail headLooking back down the trail from near the
junction with Los Corralitios Trail head.
Looking back from Los Corralitos trailheadLooking back down the trail just a few yards from
the Los Corralitos trail head
The marker 8 at Corralitos trailhead
All text, images and files are copyrighted © 2012 by LasEcomujeres.com unless otherwise credited. To obtain permission for personal, academic, commercial, or other uses, or to inquire about high resolution images, prints, fees, or licensing, or if you have other questions, contact: info@lasecomujeres.org The thumbnail photos on this page may be freely used for personal or academic purposes without prior permission under the Fair Use provisions of US copyright law as long as the photo is clearly credited with Copyright © 2009 LasEcomujeres.com For other uses, contact us.

info@lasecomujeres.org
02-Jul-2012
Logo ESPAÑOL
Plants by Trail Marker
El Camino Real          (follow photos left to right along the trail, click on photos to enlarge)