dpf33a
Junior Nomad
Posts: 64
Registered: 10-2-2008
Location: irvine
Member Is Offline
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rancho grande
Hello everyone.
Does anyone has runway condition at rancho grande,I have never been here.Is camping under palapas available.Any infos would be appreciated.?Thanks
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64478
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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If you pay, you can join Baja Bush Pilots (now Bush Pilots International) where they (used to) have pretty good runway data...
The Bush Pilots web site used to be view-able to the public, so us non-pilots/ non-members could get info, just as the Bush Pilots can come here to
Nomad and get data...
Maybe Nomad (and Bush Pilot) 'Capt. Mike' or another pilot can share some runway data on Rancho Grande, Bahia San Luis Gonzaga? In the past, it was
very well maintained... and at close to 5,000' long at sea level, most anything that flys to Baja dirt strips can land there... a small landing fee is
collected. There is also a slightly shorter, cross runway... Then you have Alfonsina's, just a mile north with a clay base, smooth runway... but goes
underwater at high lunar tides.
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Desertbull
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 8-27-2003
Member Is Offline
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I was there a couple days ago and both runways were in great shape...check the tides if you use the runway behind the houses...bring beer to share
with everyone
DREAM IT! PLAN IT! LIVE IT!
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dpf33a
Junior Nomad
Posts: 64
Registered: 10-2-2008
Location: irvine
Member Is Offline
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I used to belong to BBP but have not gone often to renew.The info sometime was old in the past. I thought i would try to get more update from
Nomad.Thanks David.
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dizzyspots
Senior Nomad
Posts: 603
Registered: 9-22-2008
Location: Mescal AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: rather be on the beach at Gonzaga
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was there in April watched Cessna 182, 206 and Beech V35 come and go off the main east west runway with no issues
cant help with runway length etc and dittos on the Alfonsina north south runway behind the homes..really tide specific
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bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
Posts: 587
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Airport Bum
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I was there three days ago. The Rancho Grande runways are in good shape but I don't know if they are legally open. The same applies to Alfonsina's
runway. Planes are landing and taking off but I think they are filing out of San Felipe for other places that are legal like Punta Bufeo and then
landing at Rancho Grande or Alfonsina's.
Alfonsina's runway goes under water and is unusable for about two days on each side of the full or dark of the moon when the tide is highest. It will
be clear from now until May 22 or 23. The runway was graded--ie potholes removed--last weekend.
Alfy's runway is North and South or across the prevailing wind off the water to the east. The Rancho Grande Runways are into the wind because they
are 090/270 and 045/235 +/-. Parking at Rancho Grande is either at the West end near the Rancho Grande store or at the East end near the palapas.
The store will set you up for camping there and charge for it. I think they charge about $10/day but I'm not up to date on that.
If you are not familiar with the area you should be aware that this time of year there will be strong North or West winds about every third day. 30
knots is pretty standard and last week we saw 45 knots.
BTW: The Baja Bush Pilots are now called Bush Pilots International. They don't do a good job of keeping up on Baja runways as they once did.....more
interested in excursions to less rustic places and to Central America.
BB
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64478
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you Bucko! 
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BajaRat
Super Nomad
Posts: 1302
Registered: 3-2-2010
Location: SW Four Corners / Bahia Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Ready for some salt water with my Tecate
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Dito, saw them grading and cleaning up the Rancho Grande strip...........
Alfonsina's looks same as usual. 
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dpf33a
Junior Nomad
Posts: 64
Registered: 10-2-2008
Location: irvine
Member Is Offline
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thank you very much.
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