CWF - 4-4-2007 at 06:00 PM
Hola amigos,
I'm planning the next journey south of the border and am wondering how long it would take to get from GC to BOLA? GC to San Felipe to Puertecitos to
BOLA.
Thanks,
Carlos.
David K - 4-4-2007 at 07:35 PM
Carlos, it may seem like a lot of wrong way miles, but the dirt road south from Guadalupe Canyon to Hwy. 5 (by the sand dunes) has about 20 terrible
miles that could 4 hours, plus the other miles of good road time.
So, you should go back north to Hwy. 2 and if you want to go past Gonzaga, go east... Take the new toll highway exit to short cut to Highway 5 (it's
just east of the Laguna Salada valley, by the Pemex tanks)...
If you in a light ORV or SUV, not towing...
Figure 3+ hours Guadalupe Canyon to San Felipe, 4 hours San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay, 2.5-3 hours Gonzaga to L.A. Bay... with a beer stop at Coco's
Corner!
That is a LONG day of driving... Consider a night at Gonzaga Bay!
[Edited on 4-5-2007 by David K]
CWF - 4-4-2007 at 08:07 PM
Thanks for the info David. I'm used to driving from San Diego to San Ignacio in a 12 hour day but I've never been down the east coast. I'm hoping we
can get a spot at Arturo's in GC for the 14th... just have to be in Loreto to meet friends on the 18th. I figured to be in San Ignacio on the 17th
(want to introduce my girlfriend to Terry and Gary and their yurts). If not on the way down, then definitely on the way back.
Driving an '01 ¾ ton 'Burb 4x4 and plan to camp along the way.
David K - 4-4-2007 at 08:09 PM
De nada amigo... Have a great trip!
CWF - 4-4-2007 at 08:30 PM
After seeing your pics of Matomi Canyon, I don't think I'll be able to pass by without taking a look. Gonzaga Bay it will be.
MATOMI
David K - 4-4-2007 at 09:03 PM
Well, it is special in that it is so far from civilization and a place I was told about in the 1960's by San Felipe's former leading businessman,
Arnold Limon (Arnold's Del Mar Cafe)...
So it was a special treat to get to it the first time in 1979.
The water flows year-round into a deep pool, just behind the ranch house.
WARNING: Old photos I have posted before that may cause irritability in some Nomads who have seen these before!
Aug., 1979:
Feb., 2001 (2 by elgatoloco):
Feb., 2004:
June, 2006:
luckyboy - 5-4-2007 at 02:04 PM
Not to hijack this thread, but do you think my 1998 subaru legacy (not outback) would be OK for the route from San Felipe to Puertecitos? Also from
what I hear the last gas is in Bahia. I imagine no tourist card is needed to drive Mex1 down to Bahia and back across the border via san felipe?
David K - 5-4-2007 at 03:22 PM
I don't mind hijacking... it's just that not everyone will look in this thread to provide help for you... So, a new post in the Q & A forum is
better...
That being said, the road to Puertecitos is PAVED (except for 2 miles or so), just go slow because of the insane dips in many places.
Your Legacy will get you through (to Gonzaga and Hwy. 1) as long as the tires are in good shape and you drive slow over the rocks south of
Puertecitos.
I don't understand the 'Last gas in Bahia' part of your question...???
Top your tanks in San Felipe... again at Gonzaga Bay (Alfonsina's jcn.) if the Pemex there is open... there are two stations in Bahia de los Angeles
now, plus independent vendors sell gas out of cans on Hwy. 1 at the Bahia de L.A. Jcn. and at Cataviña. Top off again at El Rosario...
[Edited on 5-4-2007 by David K]
luckyboy - 5-4-2007 at 04:23 PM
Thanks! Yeah basically I was just wondering about gas. I have been to Baja a few times but never this part. Our plan is to drive down from San Diego
to Bahia de Los Angeles for a few days of fishing and then hopefully leave early and make it to San Felipe in one day. Driving back up 1 and then
cutting over to San Felipe via the Mex3 seems very out of the way and not as adventurous 
Above pics look like a great swimmin' hole!
[Edited on 5-5-2007 by luckyboy]
Gasoline
John M - 5-4-2007 at 06:21 PM
Luckyboy - a thought that has served us well over many years traveling in Baja - never pass up an open gasoline station, even the roadside vendors
such as at Highway 1 & Bay of L.A. junction and at Catavina. You just never know when the usually dependable sources - pemex stations - will have
closed, closed for the afternoon, out of gasoline or what.
Even though the roadside vendors are usually a buck a gallon more we do not pass up the opportunity to add at least 5 gallons.
John M
bajalou - 5-4-2007 at 08:33 PM
I've driven from Guerro Negro to San Felipe via Gonzaga in one day twice - so shouldn't be a problem from BofLA. Of course, I'm in a desert rail not
a regular car and that does make some difference.
ps - the days are getting loooong now so have lots of time to look around.
luckyboy - 5-4-2007 at 09:28 PM
Forgot to ask, do you think a tourist card is necessary for this route down to BofLA and back? From my previous experience it did not seem necessary
unless you got to Guerro Negro