astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Mood: beam me up
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Shortcut to San Felipe side?
Hi all,
My Wife and I are heading out this fri for Baja!!!
It'll take 4-5 days to get there from Ontario. We plan on camping out near Meling and SPM. Near the end of our stay we want to hook up with a guy that
does compressed earth brick buildings (like adobe) on the San Felipe side. I wonder if there is a shorter route to get there rather than going all the
way back to Ensenada and the 3? I know there is a shortcut near Meling towards Mikes Sky ranch but we're pulling a pop-up camper with our 4X4 so I'm
not so sure it would be a wise route from what I hear about the shape of that road!
Looking at the Baja Almanac there seems to be a pretty good route from San Vicente to Colonia Lazaro Card##as. Is this route in pretty good shape or
are there better shortcuts?
thanks
Astro
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bbbait
Nomad
Posts: 211
Registered: 9-9-2003
Location: Blythe, Ca
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Nope, sorry Astro. With that rig you're going to have to go back to Ensenada. But it's a great drive over the mtns (about 150 miles to SF), and
worth seeing if you never have.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64533
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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You have seen my photos of the route from Meling to Mike's and on to San Felipe, I presume? http://vivabaja.com/905 Pretty rough to pull a trailer over.
The San Vicente to Valle Trinidad road is GRADED dirt and possible in 2WD when I used it a few years ago... I suspect even okay with a trailer in 4WD.
Photos on that road are at http://vivabaja.com/baja_2001
The sure thing is what Wayno says, go back to Ensenada.
Hay Wayno, send me an email... your WebTV box is bouncing!
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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Mood: beam me up
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Thanks for your input on this Guys!
David: I know you're a Toyota Guy so you may appreciate why I want to try out my new FJ Cruiser on some back roads!
Luckily our pop-up is a Starcraft RT which is made for off-roading (to a degree!)
--see ya in a few weeks, hope to post some pics of my trip!
--Astro
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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The turn off to Valle Trinidad on hwy 1 is KM103 and marked Los Cochis 12, La Calentura 14. It will save you time and miles.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64533
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
The turn off to Valle Trinidad on hwy 1 is KM103 and marked Los Cochis 12, La Calentura 14. It will save you time and miles. |
Yes, right near the L.A. Cetto vineyards!
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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I got the most thorough inspection I've ever had at a "pop-up" reten on that route. Physically it's mostly dirt with some tight curves, kinda bumpy
with a few rocks and rain channels cut across the road, but not too bad if you go slow. The soldiers can be a bit suspicious as to why any tourist
would go that way.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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VALLE TRINIDAD TO SAN VICENTE
I've been on this road a couple of times and it can have some rough spots, narrow spots and steep spots, but overall, it seemed to be okay.
I pulled my Carson 14 ft. Utility trailer (dual axles) over it one time and it was loaded with 2 quads. Didn't seem to be big problem, except had to
really slow down in some rougher and narrow sections. I was pulling it in my Ford 4X4 F250 Crew Cab, but I don't think I ever had to use 4 wheel
drive. I think a well made Tent Trailer would not have a problem.
I did have one problem, when I managed to bend the rim on a tire and it went flat. But, I just got out my 2lb. sledgehammer (short handled) and
pounded it back into shape. It held air fine and I went on. I would plan on having at least one spare tire and two would be better.
(If you don't have a large hammer like that, they can be VERY USEFUL!!! I bought mine at Harbor Freight for about $5.)
If you want more information about the road, check with WILD BILL on Fred Metcalf's Baja Board. He may have more current information.
Michael
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chino
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 11-27-2005
Location: Nor Cal
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sounds like a guy just needs to make his own decision on weather to go or not, even an "easy" trip can go gunny sack at any moment!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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While anything can happen and the road may have rough sections. It was used in the June Baja 500 race. It's about 40 miles from hwy 1 to Valle de
Trinidad. To go up to Ensenada and over is 130 miles.
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