Ronaldren
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 12-14-2023
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Shortcut from Cataviña to Gonzaga Bay side
Hello Amigos. Does anybody know of a shortcut through the desert from Cataviña to Gonzaga bay side? I am going to be in Cataviña next month on the
way back to border from a 10 days off roading trip to Baja, and I was wondering if there is a shortcut through the desert to save some time from
Cataviña to somewhere around Gonzaga to then get to San Felipe. it will be about 3 1/2 hours on the freeway to San Felipe.
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 10-17-2013
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If you have 4x4 high clearance vehicle, PLUS EXPERIENCE, you might consider driving down Arroyo La Turquesa, the route that this year's Baja 1000 ran
(blue line).
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64537
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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This road, first traveled in modern times by the late Baja Nomad, Roy 'The squarecircle' sixteen years ago and is known as 'Fred's Tractor Trail (for
its builder, Fred Hampe). The road is in the Benchmark Baja Road Atlas (2021 & 2023 editions). This map book or app is a must have!
It will be quicker if you just stay on the highway, but not as exciting!
[Edited on 1-10-2024 by David K]
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Cliffy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 979
Registered: 12-19-2013
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Long before the paved road to Gonzaga (maybe 1973 or so) from San Felipe we went to Papa's by turning at Chapala
It was dirt and it was after midnight when we made the turn
Half way across we ran into a military check point guns drawn and everything.
They let us pass as we were going fishing at Papa's
One of the group had a hidden hand gun that we didn't know about and wasn't found.
Had fried turtle at Papa's for dinner the next night :-)
UMM Yummy! :-)
You chose your position in life today by what YOU did yesterday
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1909
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Cliffy
That would have been a great adventure.
I can't recall one we've had to rival it except maybe a drive to Mike's in 1975 closely following a flatbed truck load of Federalies blasting away at
anything that moved.
Of course I haven't taken a gun along in many many years.
Times have changed.
John M
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17398
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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many years ago we rolled up on one of those rural/temporary military checkpoints. The gringo truck ahead of us was being torn apart, gringo rifles
laid out on the ground.
The military waved us thru.
We all chuckled at the chuckleheads that took guns to mexico...
I never did hear what happened to the chuckleheads
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3017
Registered: 5-21-2013
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Cataviña to Gonzaga bay side
The Turquesa road is a shelf road and is somewhat narrow in places. However, and mentioned the racers used it and the trophy trucks are 90+" wide and
they fit on the road. Ther is a dry creek crossing that is either or - your choice. Going down hill of course is the easier direction starting from
Cativina and going to Hwy5. Going up hill from Hwy5 you probably will need 4X4 due to steep and rocks.
When we did it high clearance was only needed to get off Hwy1 where the racers left a big berm. The rest of the road should be fine for any truck or
big tire Suv. Definitely not for a wide cargo truck or other wide rig.
Search for the road subject road, Hwy 1 at km213.5 and 30 44.458, -114 53.487
Enjoy the drive and take some pictures.
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