Huatulco 2022 Monte Cruz trail to Playa Cacaluta New Years Eve Day Solo Ride

This was my first ever solo journey from the highway entrance of the Monte Cruz trail to Playa Cacaluta.  The trail is reasonably safe but it is always better to enter the jungle with friends.  Things can happen and there is no cellphone coverage.

Travelling from downtown Crucecita in the direction of Pochutla for about 2 kms, you'll find this roadside sign indicating the entrance.  Other than the sign, which motorists could easily miss, it is rather discreet.

Make sure the traffic is clear before crossing.  This is the highway and some drivers are in an awful hurry to get to the beach.  

Not far from the entrance, you will come to this gate.  It's there to stop motorized traffic.  Just pull your bike through one of the gaps.

Most  of the trail is a smooth dirt road with a few rough spots where the rain has dug runnels.  

The advantage of taking the highway route is that it is a gradual climb from downtown and the trail is mostly downhill freewheeling.  But keep both hands on the handlebars, near the break and don't accelerate too much.  There are lots of surprises and a few sharp bends. 

This is the park rangers station.  I didn't see anyone that morning but the sun was barely up when I arrived and hadn't penetrated the trees yet.

 There's a good reason to wear a helmet.  Duck.

At this intersection, turning left takes you back to town and the right leads to Playa Cacaluta. 

This feels more like a trail at this point.  You might squeeze an ATV through here but parts of it are extremely narrow.

On this part in particular, the trail hugs the embankment of the dry riverbed and there's no room to get off and walk beside your walk.  You have to push it in front of you. 

Cross the river here.

Follow other people's bike tracks and you'll rejoin the trail here.

On this route, it is easy to pass right on by the sign because you're facing the wrong way.  Take a look back at every fork you pass so you don't miss it.

This road takes you the rest of the way, getting sandier and sandier the closer you get to the beach until you need to hop off your bike and push.

 

And we made it.

See the trail in motion.

Earlier visits

https://alackofcleardirection.blogspot.com/2015/10/cruz-del-monte-trail-sendero-cruz-del.html

https://alackofcleardirection.blogspot.com/2016/12/return-to-sendero-cruz-del-monte.html

https://alackofcleardirection.blogspot.com/2021/03/adventure-night-ride-to-cacaluta.html