BajaNomad

SAN FRANCISQUITO shortcut to Hwy. 1 (El Arco bi-pass)

David K - 2-5-2009 at 02:39 AM

I got a request to post these maps showing the road from just north of Vizcaino to Guillermo Prieto north to the El Arco/ San Francisquito road... The newest AAA (2007) map only has the southern half of it showing (Guillermo Prieta to the Santa Gertrudis road)... but it continues right across... as I show in the maps below... when I traveled it on Dec. 31, 2001.



This topo map was used to show the photo locations on my El Camino Real from space article (arrows with numbers):



[Edited on 2-5-2009 by David K]

Guillermo-r.JPG - 42kB

David K - 2-5-2009 at 02:48 AM

The road is very easy to follow on Google Earth... It was very smooth and an easy 2WD graded road back when I used it... and haven't heard of any problems. Please comment if you have more recent reports... The Baja 1000 a couple years ago did use it, so it may have been damaged.

The GPS data for the route is on my GPS waypoints web page at VivaBaja.com. It goes over one large hill, otherwise it is flat driving... It was a MUCH better route to Hwy. 1 than going through El Arco! Also, it is a good shortcut for travelers heading south or coming north from San Ignacio.

The turnoff had signs for Santa Gertrudis mission at both ends, back then. The mission is a worthy side trip off this road, as well!

GPS data (set unit to Map Datum 'NAD27 Mexico'):

North to south:

Fork, ahead/west for El Arco, turn left/south for new road to Hwy.1: 28°10.42'/ 113°13.08'

Crossroad, south to state border and Hwy.1, east to Mision Sta. Gertrudis (& next 3 waypoints): 28°01.45'/ 113°14.45'

... Rancho Miraflores: 28°01.45'/ 113°13.76'

... Rancho Guadalupe: 28°02.36'/ 113°09.33'

... Mision Santa Gertrudis: 28°03.95'/ 113°05.05'

State Border, Mountain Time Zone: 28°00.00'/ 113°16.16'

Guillermo Prieto: 27°50.62'/ 113°17.84'

'T' Jcn., turn west: 27°49.97'/ 113°17.94'

Hwy. 1 Jcn. (south-east to Vizcaino): 27°43.41'/ 113°27.23'




[Edited on 2-5-2009 by David K]

Phil C - 2-5-2009 at 06:22 AM

David, we used this rout at Christmas time ,thanks to your suggestion, and found it in great shape. We went from north to south with a side trip to Santa Gertrudis. Although we did use 4 wheel drive in a couple of spots, I think a 2 wheel drive vehicle would make it.

Santiago - 2-5-2009 at 06:46 AM

Went South to North in January and found the road easy w/ pickup, never use 4X4. A little rocky in spots but mostly sandy soil. Going north from Vizcaino, it is very easy to miss the turn off at Ej. Guillermo and continue east. As soon as you see the houses/buildings, turn north. At about #23 on DK's map is a great cardon forest. Plan on at least a 30 minute stop to walk around. The weirdest thing is we had a 2-bar cell signal there but it was a funny ID name of the carrier. We had just passed a ranchero with a radio tower and I wonder if they had a small cell site for local communication? Anyone else notice this? By the way, the ranchero has gas and groceries for sell per their sign (we did not stop in). Also, traveling north, the road "T's" at El Progresso. There is no signage (duh), but right (east) is to San Francisquito and left (west) is on to Poncho's (San Rafael Beach Camp on the first map) and BOLA. Doesn't feel right but that's it.
I think BajaBoy's got this covered, but anyone stopping by Poncho's - take him a corkscrew. Dude's trying to use an icepick for his evening's Merlot.
This trip is do-able on any medium-high clearance vehicle - some sandy spots north of the ejido with deep ruts - a low car might scrape the sand. Plan on about 6 hours from Vizcaino to BOLA if you're taking it easy. There are no bathrooms.

David K - 2-5-2009 at 11:44 AM

Thanks for the updates guys...

Yes, the sharp left turn (northbound) into Guillermo Prieto could be passed if there is no sign. A small 'Mision Santa Gertrudis' sign was there in 2001... You drive straight through the dusty village.

Bob H - 2-5-2009 at 12:11 PM

David, this is GREAT! Thanks.
Bob H

Mexitron - 2-6-2009 at 04:38 AM

Calmalli is an interesting stop on the way--poke around the remains of the once bustling mining town....

Update bump :D

Vanderpooch - 9-6-2010 at 01:57 PM

Bump for updates?
Heading there this january!

GPS map for el arco bypass

KasloKid - 9-8-2010 at 12:54 AM

I noticed that this bypass is noted on a mexican topo map called e32. Web site: http://www.cartografiagps.com/index2.htm
This isn't a plug for the website, only making a note that this is the only garmin mapping program that shows this road. I took the road that heads directly south from el arco... it was a narrow two lane deep sand road. I was using bicimapas map. Should have taken the baja almanac with me :-)

David K - 9-8-2010 at 04:42 PM

The road that heads south from El Arco was the main transpeninsular road before Highway 1 was built in 1973, bypassing old El Arco to head close to the newer, growing town of Guerrero Negro. They did pave a road into El Arco* from the new highway, but so thin was the asphalt it was mostly gone within about 10 years.

*Mexico Federal Highway #18 :lol::o:yes:

[Edited on 9-8-2010 by David K]

SoCalAl - 9-10-2010 at 10:57 AM

Great Info Dave, thanks....:bounce:

David K - 12-5-2010 at 08:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Went South to North in January and found the road easy w/ pickup, never use 4X4. A little rocky in spots but mostly sandy soil. Going north from Vizcaino, it is very easy to miss the turn off at Ej. Guillermo and continue east. As soon as you see the houses/buildings, turn north. At about #23 on DK's map is a great cardon forest. Plan on at least a 30 minute stop to walk around. The weirdest thing is we had a 2-bar cell signal there but it was a funny ID name of the carrier. We had just passed a ranchero with a radio tower and I wonder if they had a small cell site for local communication? Anyone else notice this? By the way, the ranchero has gas and groceries for sell per their sign (we did not stop in). Also, traveling north, the road "T's" at El Progresso. There is no signage (duh), but right (east) is to San Francisquito and left (west) is on to Poncho's (San Rafael Beach Camp on the first map) and BOLA. Doesn't feel right but that's it.
I think BajaBoy's got this covered, but anyone stopping by Poncho's - take him a corkscrew. Dude's trying to use an icepick for his evening's Merlot.
This trip is do-able on any medium-high clearance vehicle - some sandy spots north of the ejido with deep ruts - a low car might scrape the sand. Plan on about 6 hours from Vizcaino to BOLA if you're taking it easy. There are no bathrooms.


That #23 on the map (and the other numbers) are points where you can see the Jesuit El Camino Real mission road from the 1700's on Google Earth (and in person, of course).

Read Harry Crosby's 'The King's Highway in Baja California' c1974. As well as the link to Harry Crosby's maps and photos on my website VivaBaja.com. I also have the entire Jesuit El Camino Real mapped and imaged here on Baja Nomad.