BajaNomad

Scorpion Bay, north road

hdn2mx - 7-7-2008 at 10:41 PM

Anybody been out this way lately. I plan on heading in from San Ignacio but a friend of mine who lives there just made the trek and said she wouldn't recommend it. I'm not talking about the salt flats either. I would like to take the dirt road up against the hills inland of the flats. Any recent travelers drive in or out that way ? Thanks, RT

BajaNomad - 7-8-2008 at 02:41 AM

Have you done the inland route in the past? I have not been through here recently, but the generally preferred route (to my knowledge) has always been through the salt flats - unless the tides are too high, or you're headed to a specific inland rancho.

I await to see what info others will present here - as well as what other info you would have yourself?

Thanks,
--
Doug

San Ignacio to San Juanico

Marla Daily - 7-8-2008 at 07:26 AM

We took the inland road (not the salt flats) from San Ignacio to San Juanico in March. It was one of the best drives we have had in a long time. It was a beautiful road. No washboard because no one takes it. We took our time and enjoyed the beauty around us. There are a few wire fence gates to open and close to keep the ranchers' cattle where they should be. There are no signs, so be sure to take a topo map. We never saw another car, nor person. It took about three leaiurely hours. Biggest hazards were a few potential sand-traps. Our F250 4wd truck/camper was just fine. So that was our experience. As we all know, these days nothing stays the same in Baja for long....

Gadget - 7-8-2008 at 11:39 AM

As long as there hasn't been any rain, which is true of late, you should be fine. Summer thunder storms are a possiblity though, and this route turns to peanut butter in no time.

Running out to the coast to El Datil is preferred by me.
You need to be aware of when high tide is for the area once you turn south. You just don't want to be trying through there on a big tide.
May be a little rough for standard rigs as the race uses this route.
It is also more populated in case you do have a mechanical issue.
The inland route through El Cuarenta could be a long wait for help if traveling alone. (see above post by Marla)
Just make sure someone knows which route you are taking should you not show up.

Thanks

hdn2mx - 7-13-2008 at 01:33 PM

Thanks for the info. Our friend said to take the salt flats as well, but I'm a little spooked with no road to follow. But I'd still like to give the north road a try. RT

David K - 7-13-2008 at 09:43 PM

A good area to have GPS and topo maps (Baja Almanac)!:light:

North road

elskel - 7-14-2008 at 02:40 PM

Go for it.
bk

rts551 - 7-14-2008 at 02:57 PM

3 vehicles F-250, Pathfinder, and Toyota P/u all took this road during Samana Santa. At that time it was passable.

[Edited on 7-14-2008 by rts551]

elskel - 7-15-2008 at 10:56 PM

grab hold and go for it.