#1: [16-Mar-05] (incomplete)

23-Oct-2011 -- Background

The confluence is located in the state of Yucatán: about 40 kilometers northeast of Valladolid and 22 kilometers southwest of Tizimin. Prior to setting out we located the confluence on Google Earth and took some notes on potential routes. As it turns out, the confluence was easily reached by a combination of paved and dirt roads.

Travel

Our day started out in Merida, Yucatán. Prior to locating the confluence we visited the ancient Maya sites of Ikil and Popula as well as the colonial site of Mo Pila.

Once we were finished with those sites we headed to Valladolid where we turned north towards Tizimin. Just before the town of Calotmul we turned east and passed through the towns of Pocoboch and Nahbalam. At Nahbalam we stopped to take pictures of a beautiful church and then proceeded north. Leaving town the pavement ended. We drove about 6 kilometers on a dirt road before turning north at an abandoned ranch. We drove another 1.5 kilometers down a rough dirt road and parked the car. At this point we were only 3-400 meters from the confluence. We followed a trail to within 60 meters of the confluence and bushwhacked the rest of the way.

The Confluence

The confluence itself is in a secondary forest. The land is fairly flat and the general area is a combination of forest and small milpas (which is a traditional agricultural system in the Yucatán). The region could be could be characterized as rural and agricultural but not remote.

As it was late in the afternoon, we quickly took our photos and retraced our route back to Nahbalam-Calotmul-Valladolid and finally Merida.