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DianaT
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Vizcaino to Bahia Asuncion The Good and Bad News
Currrent Conditions-- forgive the glare from the now broken windshield and the afternoon sun----photos for informational purposes only. More on the
windshield later. 
A couple of years ago, the first part of the road leaving Vizcaino toward Torgugas was replaced, so it is in great shape---up to the Ejido.
Then these start to appear and they are nasty.
And in several places this is the road. It is worse than when we last drove it 2 weeks ago.
 [/URL]
So at times we drive like this--
Have to be real careful driving on the side like that as some have been worn down and it would be easy to end up on your side.
Even on the middle section of the highway (middle between Vizcaino and turn-off to Bahia Asuncion) that is in quite good shape, there are several of
these.
And if the arm of one of these dunes looks a little thick, be very careful as they can be as hard as a concrete tope!
That middle section can lull you into thinking, no more real problems!
Wrong----the last approximately 20 kilometers are the WORST
And one of the worst places is on the little hill just west of The Oasis
Those holes are killers
Don't want to have any speed going up that hill!
Right there it is worse that the pictures show.
In some areas side roads have been created by the locals---some better than others and some of the places to go on and off the main highway have worn
down to being very steep.
Even what has become mostly smooth salt flat road has some surprise dips---keep the speed down.
And of course, avoid all wet areas
Pavement, what pavement??
Temporary indecision---semi paved or dirt---in this area some of the dirt is very soft and the dirt road quite bumpy.
And where the big dune used to be close to the turn-off
There are remnants of pavement under all that sand.
THE GOOD NEWS---the really nasty surprises that were on the first part of the paved part of the road heading into Bahia Asuncion have been repaired!
The remaining approx. 8 miles of dirt is getting close to being paved---and they are real serious about keeping people OFF the new road bed with
barricades that include things like this
But after the Vizcaino-Tortugas road this was a welcome sight.
Today heard from one of the water truck contractors that they are going to start working on the Vizcaino road next month----we sure hope so.
Oh, the windshield----if while driving south you see a weed cutting machine along the highway north of San Quintin----BEWARE. Most of the workers had
machetes, but one had a rider mower----with no rock guard.
It was a big rock that fortunately hit on the driver's side near the bottom of the windshield----glass on dashboard, but hole not real large---but if
it had hit higher up, it could have been a disaster. Have had lots of rocks hit our windshields before and ding it---but this was REALLY loud.
Out came the duct tape---out of sight, out of mind. Opps, until we hit the first bump coming out of Vizcaino---we now have intersecting cracks
growing toward the top. And the worst part is that this is a fairly new windshield ---- last two had several dings, repairs, etc., before the cracks
came. This one had not even a little rock ding.
But, again, it could have been much worse----but if you see one road worker in that area with a mowing machine, head for the other side of the road.
And when you do visit Bahia Asuncion, plan on taking your time driving that awful highway.
Buen Viaje
[Edited on 7-25-2010 by DianaT]
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Udo
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Thanks for the report, Diana!
And great advice to be followed carefully.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Iflyfish
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Thanks for the update, the visuals are appreciated. Words simply cannot describe it.
Iflyfish
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Russ
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And we complain about the Chivato road. At least you have the essentials in town and don't have to leave often. Good report. Tanx
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Mexitron
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That road was terrible last summer...can only imagine what its like after the rains last winter.
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rts551
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Diane. for the Tortugas race we took the coast road. used the trailer instead of the quad in back of the truck...... decided that wouldn't work
so took the Vizcaino road out.... don't know which is worse. both were an irritant and took miles off the equipment
heard the last few miles of road into Abreojos are on hold because of Biosphere and Ejido restrictions. too bad because they were prepared to take
the road to La Bocana. Rumor anyways
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
Diane. for the Tortugas race we took the coast road. used the trailer instead of the quad in back of the truck...... decided that wouldn't work
so took the Vizcaino road out.... don't know which is worse. both were an irritant and took miles off the equipment
heard the last few miles of road into Abreojos are on hold because of Biosphere and Ejido restrictions. too bad because they were prepared to take
the road to La Bocana. Rumor anyways |
From San Pablo to San Jose del Castro they graded the back road not too long ago. We got lucky and drove it then---then made the wrong choice and took
the main road out----washboard nightmare.
PROFEFA has been here quite a bit dealing with the road contractors and several violations----will be interesting to see what happens soon if they do
complete the road before their contract runs out in August.
We have heard that eventually they plan to pave from BA to Abreojos----but I wonder.
With the way they pave these rural roads, they do not hold up well and turn into what these photos show. The Tortugas road is not that old and we
noticed that some of the quite new pavement near the town is beginning to break down as is some of the newer pavement at the beginning of the Asuncion
Rd and on your road from Highway 1.
Nothing quite as nice as a freshly graded dirt road---and with those salt flats from La Bocana to Abreojos, who needs pavement.
Thanks to all-----hope you will all head this way---just be very careful.
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David K
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Nice photos as always!
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Mulegena
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En verdad, vale la pena. In truth, its worth the effort.
The Viscaino Road is holding for ransom my Toyota's four hubcaps from last Spring's visit to the coast.
Apparently I did not pay enough ransom to retrieve said hubs from Viscaino the God of Wrathful Chuckholes, so on my last trip it broke my Toyota's air
conditioner-- snapped the line clean through!
Arturo the Refrigerator God, er I mean talented refrigeration repairman of Mulege, is searching for a whole new unit in La Paz this weekend.
Give me washboard roads any day. Those holes in the Viscaino road, well I think they articulate with the Volcano Tres Virgenes. They make you think
you're in hell, fer sure.
All this being said, the rough roads and relative inaccessibility make Bahia Asuncion and the South Central Baja Pacific Coast all the more desirable,
magical and pristine destination.
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Cypress
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Those are some killer potholes!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
The Viscaino Road is holding for ransom my Toyota's four hubcaps from last Spring's visit to the coast.
Apparently I did not pay enough ransom to retrieve said hubs from Viscaino the God of Wrathful Chuckholes, so on my last trip it broke my Toyota's air
conditioner-- snapped the line clean through!
Arturo the Refrigerator God, er I mean talented refrigeration repairman of Mulege, is searching for a whole new unit in La Paz this weekend.
Give me washboard roads any day. Those holes in the Viscaino road, well I think they articulate with the Volcano Tres Virgenes. They make you think
you're in hell, fer sure.
All this being said, the rough roads and relative inaccessibility make Bahia Asuncion and the South Central Baja Pacific Coast all the more desirable,
magical and pristine destination. |
OK, not funny, but so well told I am laughing. Volcanos---yes. 
And for us, it is worth it----we just cringe when we need to go to Vizcaino ---do you think if we all sacrifice a chicken and chant around a midnight
bonfire that will help?
Cypress, they are killers! One did put the padre from Vizcaino in the hospital for quite a while. We saw the what was left of the car---not a
pretty picture. Guess he would not have thought about sacrificing a chicken. 
Seriously, someone kept him alive.
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Ken Bondy
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Wonderful report and photos Diane. Didn't some smart person say something about bad roads and good people? Tell us more about the windshield
please!! Thanks again, ++Ken++
carpe diem!
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rts551
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Wonderful report and photos Diane. Didn't some smart person say something about bad roads and good people? Tell us more about the windshield
please!! Thanks again, ++Ken++ |
I don't know about bad people but that road will keep a lot of people fixing their cars. I feel for all the families in BA and Tortugas who have to
use this road for groceries, medical etc.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Wonderful report and photos Diane. Didn't some smart person say something about bad roads and good people? Tell us more about the windshield
please!! Thanks again, ++Ken++ |
I don't know about bad people but that road will keep a lot of people fixing their cars. I feel for all the families in BA and Tortugas who have to
use this road for groceries, medical etc. |
There are some people here who do have concerns about the changes coming with the roads----but, they are really upset over how bad the Vizcaino road
is, how dangerous it is, and yes, how much damage it does to their vehicles.
But then again, how long will a new road last.
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Mulegena
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena Those holes in the Viscaino road, well I think they articulate with the Volcano Tres Virgenes. They make you
think you're in hell, fer sure.
All this being said, the rough roads and relative inaccessibility make Bahia Asuncion and the South Central Baja Pacific Coast all the more desirable,
magical and pristine destination. |
OK, not funny, but so well told I am laughing. Volcanos---yes.
And for us, it is worth it----we just cringe when we need to go to Vizcaino ---do you think if we all sacrifice a chicken and chant around a midnight
bonfire that will help?
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I'm in for the roast chicken and Fire Dancing!
Someone have marshmallows and wine?
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BajaGringo
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The road out to our place is pretty bad but personally we hope it never changes much. It really has taught me to slow down and just enjoy the trip...
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
The road out to our place is pretty bad but personally we hope it never changes much. It really has taught me to slow down and just enjoy the trip...
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I am guessing that your road is still dirt? If it is, I agree---just slow down and enjoy---stop, get out and look around.
But torn up pavement is such a nightmare, and there are places where 5 mph would be excessive, people barely are moving---everyone is just all over
the road trying to dodge the deep pits. This road causes stiff necks and headaches; no time to enjoy the trip as all eyes are focused on the road.
And going to Vizcaino is a necessity around here----bank, more medical, many construction supplies, etc. It is the supply center and even at very,
very slow speeds, barely moving, if a car, especially a regular car hits one of those pits, it will be damaged. I am surprised the fish trucks ever
make it out of here as slow as they have to drive. So this road is really a road for personal and other commerce, so quite different.
So yes, slow down, enjoy the trip, but meantime I think I will start gathering those sacrificial chickens.
[Edited on 7-25-2010 by DianaT]
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shari
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Excellent road report ...the photos tell it all. It used to be possible to get around some holes by going on the side with two wheels but there are
some dangerous deep ruts now which forces one to just go dead slow through the enormous potholes....it is truly an exercise in patience.
Poor Sirenita is dreading the next trip for the ultrasound in GN! ewwww
Many of us are sharing lists...checking with each other before they go to Vizc. for what people need so less people have to go...which is a positive
thing, people helping people....a ride board would be helpful too...sometimes someone just needs one thing...a car part, jug of wine or bank deposit
etc.
But the paving project is hustling right along...the whole road from Vizcaino is supposed to be fixed by fishing season this year(september...)woo
hoo.
[Edited on 7-25-2010 by shari]
[Edited on 7-25-2010 by shari]
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tiotomasbcs
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With Asuncion's Fiesta coming soon, will they put any extra effort to fill the potholes? It is quite easy to become impatient and do some real damage to your vehicle! How's the road condition from Hwy 1 out to Abreojos??
From there the salt flats out to La Bocana are smooth. Great open coastline and shorefishing out there, too. Will my Honda Odyssey make it?  tio
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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If I were coming from south, i would take the Fischer Camp turnoff to Abreojos and com along the coast road...its all dirt but at least you can get
some speed up...It's about 2.5 hours going that way but more fun than crawling through pot holes.
The road is supposed to be paved into town for the opening of the Fiestas in Mid August...I'd be surprised if it's done for that date...and I doubt
they will do anything to the pot holed part out of vizcaino because they are going to do a big fix the next month...but who knows...I sure hope they
do but I wont hold my breath.
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