Humboldt Chris and Robin - 1-16-2005 at 07:01 PM
We just got back to Humboldt County after our January "find the sun" trip to Baja. Had some unreal weather!! But as usual, a great trip. Here is
the road report:
Crossed into Mexicali on 12/30, gassed in San Felipe (and repaired a nail hole in a tire), camped at Campo Destiny near Puertecitos (we like the guy
that runs it). The road is just as bad as it has been with potholes. Headed south and camped New Year's Eve at Campo Beluga in Gonzaga Bay, another
wonderful campground. Road was in decent shape even with earlier rains, well travelled. Off to Coco's (he seemed in good spirits, said his earlier
hospital visits were just normal check ups) and he has cleaned up his place a lot, trying to build drainage channels for chubascos. Road from Gonzaga
to Highway 1 was fine, some water along the road and water in the dry lake!!
Stayed a few days in Bahia de Los Angeles at Campo Archelon (where we always stay). Weather started out great, did a boat ride with Joel to the
islands and the outer channel in flat calm, hot and sunny weather. Saw finback whales and a school of yellowtail surfaced for an hour in spectacular
fashion.
Weather soured, big time rain and wind. Woke up on the 4th and my inflatable Tahiti kayak was GONE - probably in Sonora beefore I woke! Stupid me, I
woke up as the wind shifted westerly, but never crossed my mind to tie it down. We took off for Mulege that morning, heavy rain back to Highway 1 and
all the way to Guerrero Negro with many vados flowing across the road. Mulege was beautiful, stayed at the Orchard in one of the cottages (and that's
"resorting big time for us) for three nights, eating seafood and drinking beer and margaritas. Did a trip to Valle Trinidad to the indian rock art
site which was nice.
Weather was back to sunny and warm, so we headed back north, took the "shortcut" from just northwest of Vizcaino to San Francisquito. The road to the
El Arco-Santa Gertrudis Road was fine, but got pretty marginal between there and Arroyo Purificacion, especially over the little rocky hills just
before the arroyo. If you head south on it, you might need 4 wheels. Cuesta de la Ley was fine and we had San Francisquito all to ourselves for some
real sunburn time for two nights. Back to bahia de Los Angeles and that road was in good shape, with some narrow spots over the summit on the San
Rafael side near the top.
Beautiful weather back in BOLA, stayed a few days, and came back vis Highway 1, one night in San Quintin (ate at the Old Mill and it was excellent).
Turned off at Ensenada to Tecate, and down Rumirosa Grdae just because we had not done it before, crossing back at Mexicali.
All you lucky slobs who will be in the desert in a month or two will be treated to a wildflower show of epic proportions!!! The desert is bright
green!!!
David K - 1-16-2005 at 07:16 PM
Thanks Chris & Robin! Sounds like you had a good trip (except for the loss of a boat)!
Snob I must be to be
yankeeirishman - 1-16-2005 at 07:24 PM
Great report! Thanks. We're doing bout the same trip on Feb4. Was the gas avail at the Alfonsinas area?
David K - 1-16-2005 at 07:32 PM
It was on Sunday, Jan. 2, when we got it there. Then drove into Alfonsina's for a margarita and a short walk...
Paulina - 1-16-2005 at 07:51 PM
Chris and Robin,
Nice trip report. Sorry about the loss of your kayak.
Sounds like the same westy that blew the tin roof off of our place. We just missed it by a couple of days. The H.C.H. Airfoil roof design finally took
flight after all these years.
Just another working vacation waiting in the wings.
P. y D.
<*)))><
Packoderm - 1-16-2005 at 08:14 PM
Here's looking the other direction. We were in Gonzaga until about the 9th. There was plenty of Magna (green) at the Pemex.