BajaNomad - Mission San Javier road condition

Mission San Javier road condition

unbob - 3-14-2008 at 08:47 AM

Hola!
We're planning to do a side trip to Mission San Javier on our trip north next week.

Can anyone enlighten me regarding whether the road is now paved or at least graded for an easy drive? I understand the one-way distance (from hwy 1 turn-off) is 37km/23 miles - correcto?

Some trip reports I've read stated it was a narly 4-wheel drive type road - but I believe those reports were written 5+ years ago.

Any comments/suggestions greatly appreciated!

Gracias, Robert(o)

vandenberg - 3-14-2008 at 09:01 AM

Took a ride up the road to see how far they've proceeded last Sunday. Road is only paved for about 5km. from Hwy 1.
Still easier to go up the wash,( under the new bridge going over the dry riverbed ).Road is driven daily by passenger cars. Just go slow and allow at least 2 hours per direction.
The first part, up to Las Parras is beautiful with nice turn outs for picture taking.

??

pangamadness - 3-14-2008 at 10:17 AM

I would like to know where Mission San Javier is. There may have been info in the past but I missed it. Thanks?

vandenberg - 3-14-2008 at 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pangamadness
I would like to know where Mission San Javier is. There may have been info in the past but I missed it. Thanks?

David K,
Time to chime in. :biggrin:

Mango - 3-14-2008 at 10:52 AM

San Javier is just west (inland) of Loreto. I'm sure David K has some great photos and info about it on his webpage.

I made the trip out there in Dec 07 and the road was in good shape and easily doable in any passenger car. Just keep an eye out for the occasional bump or rogue rock in the road; but, unless it rains soon before or during your drive I can't imagine you having any problems due to road conditions.

The roughest part of the drive during my trip was navagating past the end of the paved road though the construction site/equipment. It was a little confusing and somewhat rougher than the rest of the road but still easy for any passenger car.

The road that forks of to San Jose de Comondu was considerably rough and loose in some places. I still made it fine in my Subaru - has higher than average ground clearance for a "car" and AWD. I wouldn't recommend that for passenger cars.

BAJACAT - 3-15-2008 at 07:36 PM

my favorite mission so far,the view as you comming down the road and you see the mission's Tower peaking out the Palm trees, is worth the drive. the 300 yearn old is just amazing. lol no pictures

Inside the San Javier Mission

bill erhardt - 3-16-2008 at 07:50 AM

Robert...... The trip to San Javier off Mex. 1 is a relatively easy one hour drive in a two wheel drive vehicle, if you don't stop to smell the roses.

m1-36.JPG - 48kB

Inside the Mission - 2

bill erhardt - 3-16-2008 at 07:52 AM

m2-40.JPG - 46kB

Paula - 3-16-2008 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mango

The roughest part of the drive during my trip was navagating past the end of the paved road though the construction site/equipment. It was a little confusing and somewhat rougher than the rest of the road but still easy for any passenger car.

The road that forks of to San Jose de Comondu was considerably rough and loose in some places. I still made it fine in my Subaru - has higher than average ground clearance for a "car" and AWD. I wouldn't recommend that for passenger cars.

Mango, do you mean the road that forks off to the right before you come to San Javier, The one with a new blue and white sign to San Jose? Did it seem like it might have been graded after the Baja Mil? That's a beautiful road, but a few years ago it had one spot that was a little too scary for us in our Subaru Forrester!

Through the arroyo is the way to go to San Javier right now as they are extending the paved stretch right now, and it is closed. It's confusing, with lotsof little turnoffs, but everything back there seems to take you to the main arroyo road.

BAJACAT - 3-16-2008 at 09:02 AM

The best thing I can do is take pictures of the old photos,you see back then tha "BAJA BUG" haven't bit me yet,so I didn't save the pictures in my pc lol. so here are copies of those pictures the quality is going to be bad, but I still want to share them any way.And to stay in topic the road is good in off for any vehicle, I seen small cars big cars they all made it up there,some of them faster that others but never the less.

Pix #1 San Javier Mission

sj.JPG - 38kB

BAJACAT - 3-16-2008 at 09:04 AM

This olive tree is the same age as the Mission over 300 years old,it's only a short walk towards the back of the Mission on the orchard's.

saj.JPG - 49kB

BAJACAT - 3-16-2008 at 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pangamadness

Quote:

Look for San Javier Mission here, it has all the details.http://www.davidksbaja.com/bajamissions/

I would like to know where Mission San Javier is. There may have been info in the past but I missed it. Thanks?

¡Ese árbol es muy viejo, de hecho!

Pompano - 3-16-2008 at 09:48 AM

This giant has graced Baja for many decades...or more.

bill erhardt - 3-16-2008 at 10:48 AM

This tree grows out of the rocks along the arroyo that runs parallel to the road to San Javier.

arboll56.JPG - 48kB

Don Alley - 3-16-2008 at 04:41 PM

San Javier

On the way there, near the cave paintings:

David K - 3-17-2008 at 10:23 AM

I was out of the state and off-line, but the other good Nomads came through with photos... of the second mission in the California mission chain started at Loreto. San Francisco Javier was founded in 1699...

Photos of all the missions that can be still seen at http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions

San Javier road

tehag - 3-18-2008 at 06:53 PM

Was up there today in a VW Golf, with about double the clearance of a skateboard, and no problems beyond having to slow down to under 10mph at times.