Isla San Jose & Puerto Gato
Serenity set the tone after a golden sunrise over still waters provided a backdrop to a group of morning stretchers. We held the peaceful warrior pose and were mesmerized by the glassy surface on this warm spring day in the Sea of Cortez. Having made our way into San Jose Channel, we anticipated what the day would bring. After a briefing on kayaking and the varying hikes offered on San Jose, one of the larger islands of the gulf, we headed off to shore.
No matter how far one hiked, whether it be to the distant ridges or just along the shore, all were rewarded with many delights. The moisture of the winter had released the odors of sweet desert lavender and pungent rama parda. The red flowers of the palo adan, the elusive Costa’s and endemic Xantus’s hummingbirds. The twists and turns into the arroyo narrowed, giving us shade against tall gray-white conglomerate walls and many species of trees. The vista at the top of our climb awarded us with views of three bays and a thick cardon forest to the south.
As if to outdo our ice cream sundaes, long-beaked common dolphins called us to the bow in what appeared to be a feeding of their own, glistening in the afternoon sun while playfully leaping and gliding through the waters as only dolphins do! On shore for the afternoon, we had a party of our own with kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, scrambling on the rocks and chair massages! Beautiful Puerto Gato provided the backdrop to this perfect ending with amphitheater-like red cliffs that came ablaze as the sun set. Echoes bounced back from the walls as we gathered around the bonfire listening to the Mexican story of creation and folk songs by staff.
Serenity set the tone after a golden sunrise over still waters provided a backdrop to a group of morning stretchers. We held the peaceful warrior pose and were mesmerized by the glassy surface on this warm spring day in the Sea of Cortez. Having made our way into San Jose Channel, we anticipated what the day would bring. After a briefing on kayaking and the varying hikes offered on San Jose, one of the larger islands of the gulf, we headed off to shore.
No matter how far one hiked, whether it be to the distant ridges or just along the shore, all were rewarded with many delights. The moisture of the winter had released the odors of sweet desert lavender and pungent rama parda. The red flowers of the palo adan, the elusive Costa’s and endemic Xantus’s hummingbirds. The twists and turns into the arroyo narrowed, giving us shade against tall gray-white conglomerate walls and many species of trees. The vista at the top of our climb awarded us with views of three bays and a thick cardon forest to the south.
As if to outdo our ice cream sundaes, long-beaked common dolphins called us to the bow in what appeared to be a feeding of their own, glistening in the afternoon sun while playfully leaping and gliding through the waters as only dolphins do! On shore for the afternoon, we had a party of our own with kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, scrambling on the rocks and chair massages! Beautiful Puerto Gato provided the backdrop to this perfect ending with amphitheater-like red cliffs that came ablaze as the sun set. Echoes bounced back from the walls as we gathered around the bonfire listening to the Mexican story of creation and folk songs by staff.
