Debra - 2-11-2004 at 01:35 PM
I'm very much wanting to check it out and have been reading about it. Some things that concern me.
1) 16% grade? 
2) hairpin curves where you can't see oncoming traffic until you a a few yards from them
3) no where to pass or pull out
does anyone have any pictures they can share, or a web-site I can look at?
Is this advisable for a women with a 10yr. old alone? I should add that I'm terrified of heights....not the "oh s**t" kind.....the dizzy,
hyperventating, crawl down on your butt in tears type of terror.
Thanks for any help or advice you can share. Debra
Debra
Skeet/Loreto - 2-11-2004 at 04:48 PM
Debra: Do not be scared if you have any time on a Gravel road and have 4 wheel Drive. But I would no advise going alon! Stop in Loreto and get one of
my friends to go in and out with you.You never know who may be there, mabe some one will answer and will be there at the same time as your are going.
In places you can see several miles ahead. When you come up on the first hill, stop and take a look at the view,just before you start
It has been awhild since I have been in all the way so check with the locals in Loreto.
the best way and much more fun is to get Alvaro Murillo to take you and your son by Panga, that way you will be able to see the islands, maybe a Whale
or two. I will call him if you decide to go by Boat and find out what it will cost for a Day Trip. Let me Know. Skeet/Loreto
David K - 2-11-2004 at 08:49 PM
Debra, go! Ask my travel partner if you want a woman's opinion. Yes, the road drops off the side of a mountain and drops a thousand feet. Yes, it is
full of sharp turns. Is it worth it... Yes! Photos from the top of the grade and at the beach are at http://davidksbaja.com/baja15/page5.html
[Edited on 2-12-2004 by David K]
Debra - 2-11-2004 at 09:28 PM
Skeeter, I have spent time on gravel and have 4WD....what concerns me is, how wide is the road, am I going to worry that all 4 wheels might not
fit?..guess that probably isn't a real problem 
I like the idea that you
mentioned about getting ahold of your friends....I'll 'e' you about that possibilty...and going by panga is interesting too, although I was thinking
Brendan and I might camp for a night or 2 or ?????
David, thanks for your input too, but, I have traveled with you many times and we both know our comfort levels are WAY different 
AND, I remember trip reports from your traveling companion, as I recall her
comfort level is closer to mine than yours......thanks for the pictures..but, that only makes me want to get there....doesn't show me how (I am
hopeing someone here might have pics. that show the road. 
.....thanks you
guys, Debra
David K - 2-11-2004 at 09:43 PM
Well, if you ask nice maybe someone will tell you about the OTHER (new) road in to Agua Verde!
Debra - 2-11-2004 at 09:49 PM
Well, Walt Petersen did, but, it's reported from 1998....I was hopeing to get a more current update 
Bajaboy - 2-11-2004 at 09:58 PM
Debra-
If you can travel Baja alone (with child) then you can handle the road. We drove it in December. It was a bit hairy in one place. Go slow and keep
your eyes on the road in the distance. If you see a car approaching, you have plenty of time to find a place to pull over. In fact, we saw a truck
with a big trailer coming up the road. We pulled over and waited for it to pass. They made it down about half way before turning around. Remember,
all the locals in their cars and 2wd trucks make the trip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Zac
Thank you Zac....
Debra - 2-11-2004 at 10:31 PM
This is the kind of info. I am looking for.....I always look ahead (I'm stuck on looking ahead, and behind) and watching for dust (incoming)..I don't
want to sound stupid, but, from what I'm reading there is a village down there somewhere so there will be some kind of local traffic? I'm not so much
worried about me (except the height thing) I can hike out.....but, I haven't been able to carry my 10yr. old more than a few yards for a couple of
yrs......Though, he's very Baja savy...I don't want to take a chance with his safety.
4WD vs. AWD
Punta Final - 2-12-2004 at 07:35 AM
could an all wheel drive subaru outback make the trip to Agua Verde? David K's photos of Agua Verde make me drool... there's 10" of snow on the ground
here now! 
[Edited on 2-12-2004 by Punta Final]
David K - 2-12-2004 at 07:48 AM
Yes, I did NOT engage 4WD on my Tacoma (with Callen camper on it) for the climb UP. Now, that was before the hurricanes... but the steepness will be
the same. Have fun Punta Final! PS Do you know Norm Christy or Don Briggs?
Skeet/Loreto - 2-12-2004 at 12:11 PM
Debra: Sure do get some good info on Baja sur heh!
You will enjoy the trip which ever way you go ,by boat or 4 Wd.
Are you Automatic or Stick Shift.?
At on time their was a couple named johnson{I think} living in a Trailer full time. You can make inquiry in Loreto form several different people to
see if they are still there. I have been in there when ther was no one living there at all, it is just best to know what is a head of you.
At least 6 Large Loads of Rock came from the first ridge while We were building "Ranch sonrisa' Rodrigo and I would go up and Load rocks into the back
of that old Chev. Truck and head down the Pass to Loreto, could sometimes make 2 loads a Day!
Hey just thought about it but if you are interested in seeing some different birds there will be some 'Black Cardianals" around at the time!
Skeet/Loreto
Bajaboy - 2-14-2004 at 04:07 PM
Punta Final-
You should be fine as long as you're careful. There are a few spots where the road (down below the grade) has been washed out. The locals have made
detours that can be bumpy. Thus, with low clearance, you'll want to watch your speed at those points. Other than that, AV is one of my favorite
spots in Baja.
Zac
You may as well,
jrbaja - 2-15-2004 at 10:34 PM
go to the Giggling Marlin or Bahia de los Muertos if you are looking for a true Baja experience rather than a "gringo enclave" experience. Because,
that is what "A.V." has turned into. And, it will save wear and tear on your S.U.V. trying to get there.
Skeet/Loreto - 2-16-2004 at 02:28 PM
Debra:. I am going to be in Baja soon and will check out some of the places I have know for many years.
If as jr. has indicated that Agua has be come a place for Americanos then you will be able to find out on your own with out having to depend on "A
Guide" to give his impresssion of a given Location.
That is the thing about Adventure, You can go and get the feeling for a location that another person may get an exactaly opposite feeling.
I would strongly recommen dthat you go in an take a look and make up your own mind. It is worth the trip , just for the /View.
I did not like Agua Verde for one very good reason Wind,Wind,Wind, and it comes at you directly from the North and there is no where to go and Hide!!
I still think that going in by Panga would give you a much better view of the Sea as well as the Land,
But I am biased I like the Sea and a lot of people like the Dirt and rocks.
Skeet/Loreto
Look under
jrbaja - 2-16-2004 at 08:11 PM
Green Tortoise Expeditions.
Skeet/Loreto - 2-16-2004 at 11:29 PM
J. R. that is bad advice to give a Mother with her Son!
I have been in and around the "Green One" and I can assure you that it is not recommended for 2 year old children!
Skeet/Loreto
Skeeter,
jrbaja - 2-17-2004 at 08:42 AM
They said they are driving. I didn't mean they should take their trip, just pointing out that Agua Verde is one of their main destinations.
This means that when Mom and Son arrive in Agua Verde, these are the people that will be populating the place. As well as countless Oregonians who
have spread the word amongst each other and the rest of the general public that is now going there to "get out in the wilds" of Baja. hahahahaha.
And when are you coming down ? There's a couple things I'd like to show you up in them hills if you have some time.
David K - 2-17-2004 at 11:47 PM
JR, the Green Tortoise calls it 'Agua Verde', but they go to San Cosme which is the ranch at the bottom of the grade. That is many miles north of Agua
Verde. The sea level hot springs are near there (San Cosme) and that is what makes it popular. There is even a large shade structure at San Cosme for
the Greenies to use for food prep, and meetings, etc.
When my lady friend and I camped near the old fishing village of Agua Verde (not the 'Puerto' on the bay), we agreed it was our favorite camp of our
15 day trip. The only non-Mexican there (besides us) was a Frenchman, and he was friendly and visited with us... as did the villagers (to offer us
lobster)! http://davidksbaja.com/baja15/page5.html
[Edited on 2-18-2004 by David K]
Bajaboy - 2-18-2004 at 10:59 AM
Hey David-
Maybe we should just agree with JR and keep the place the way it is....I'm not quite sure where all the gringos are because I haven't seen them there.
I do agree with Skeet, though, about the wind. When it picks up, we leave.
Zac
Bajaboy
Skeet/Loreto - 2-18-2004 at 12:36 PM
How long has it been since you where there?
Did you meet a young couple living in the small trailer on the Hill?
How was the fishing the last time you were there,if you fished that is!
I was a little conserved that a single Women with a child might be better off with an escort.
Maybe Jr. is trying to keep everybody out of there, maybe he had a Stash!
Hey Jr. are growing any thing down there?
Skeet/Loreto
"In God We Trust"
On the way there
Chris Holmstead - 2-18-2004 at 01:00 PM
Stop and see us at the Gringo enclave at Escondida beach at Concepcion bay.
Bajaboy - 2-18-2004 at 03:06 PM
Hey Skeet-
I was there at Christmas. I've actually spent 2 of the past 3 Christmas holidays there. The only people we saw were fisherman and locals driving the
road above our camp. We stayed at the cove before you go up and over the hill into the village. There was a very nice trailer there with a beautiful
palapa. It's obviously been abandoned for awhile now. The road down to the beach was very rough and overgrown.
And the fishing was slow from the rocks.
Zac
Skeet/Loreto - 2-18-2004 at 10:18 PM
Zac. that is the Johnson Trailer.! Looks as if they may have left. Would appreciate any thing you might hear about them.
thank you skeet/Loreto
"In God We Trust"
Bajaboy - 2-19-2004 at 09:31 AM
Hey Skeet,
When I was there Christamas 2001, I was told the Johnson's had just left to the States but would be back. After returning a couple of months ago, I
really doubt that they have been back. The road down to their place was overgrown. In fact, the old road down was washed out and we had to double
back and use and another route. The trailer itself is still boarded up and looks untouched. But, there is debris all over. I'm sure the locals are
keeping an eye on the place. I wanted to ask about the couple but never saw anyone during our stay.
Zac
Los Johnsons
CJ - 2-21-2004 at 01:30 PM
Skeet and Bajaboy.......mystery solved
the Johnsons......bought a place
in Juncalito about a year and a half ago. They live there full time now. They go to AV every few months or so to check on things. They are good
friends.....and real cool people. 
CJ
Skeet/Loreto - 2-21-2004 at 04:39 PM
thank you for the Information. My wife and I had met them one time at the ATM Machine in Cuidad Constitution. We enjoyed meeting them and discussing
Baja. I will try to see them my next trip. Skeet/Loreto