BajaNomad

Vizcaino Desert loop

elfbrewery - 2-15-2009 at 04:07 PM

I'm looking for some reliable intelligence as to road conditions, gasoline and accommodation along the roads from Vizcaino out to Bahia Asuncion (or further) then down to Punta Abreojos, then up to Santa Clara and back before heading back to Rancho Fisher. Anyone have any tips?
Thanks!

David K - 2-15-2009 at 04:25 PM

I have a road log with some detail on that very loop: http://vivabaja.com/707 inside that web page of our big 2007 trip. That part starts on page 6.

Are you going Lost Mission hunting in the Sierra Santa Clara? See http://vivabaja.com/1757

One of those three 'started mission sites' may have just been re-found: http://vivabaja.com/109

Have fun!

Here's the log (done in a 2005 Tacoma):

VIZCAINO PENINSULA ROAD LOG
Some notes collected on the drive out to Asuncion and on south along the Vizcaino coast...

0.0 (0 hrs.) Vizcaino on Hwy. 1. Go west on Bahia Tortugas highway

11.4 Rancho San Francisquito road

46.6 (45 min.) Bahia Asuncion JCN. (turn south/ left). Graded dirt road west/ straight to Tortugas.

Road left is newly paved towards Asuncion, traffic is detoured onto parallel dirt road.

54.0 End of new black top, work continues.

73.3 (1 hr. 45 min.) after passing through the town of Asuncion, we arrive at the Blowhole Bed & Breakfast (Juan & Shari's home).

The road to San Roque leaves Bahia Asuncion on Curvina Street (next to the police station) and is an easy 7.8 mile drive.

TO SAN IGNACIO, via Punta Abreojos

0.0 (0 hrs.) Bahia Asuncion at the San Roque road (Curvina Street/ Police station)

4.2 JCN. Main road back to Hwy. 1 at Vizcaino to left, we continue straight ahead parallel to the coast.

21.2 Punta Prieta fishing village

26.5 San Hipolito fishing village

51.9 (2 hrs.) La Bocana, town with paved main street.

62.5 (2 hrs.15 min.) Punta Abreojos, large town with paved main street (we drive around a bit looking around before heading out)

71.9 Campo Rene road (Rene is 2.8 miles east)

76.0 New Pavement!

115.9 (3 hrs.15 min. driving time) Hwy. 1. JCN. San Ignacio is 15.2 miles east.



[Edited on 2-15-2009 by David K]

Diver - 2-15-2009 at 05:57 PM

Shari will respond, she has camper spaces and rentals in Asuncion.
Gas is available in Asuncion as are a few eateries and all other needs.
Fill up at the Pemex in Viscaino on the way in.
Make sure to head north from Asuncion to check out San Roque.

Campo Rene is a good option for a place to stay in Abre.
Gas and essentials are also available in Abreojos.

The drive between the 2 can easily be done in one day but the road(s) conditions can change with 1 big rain. Check in with Shari or someone on the Abre side to see how "wet" things are before you head out.
A VHF radio is a good idea, just in case.

shari - 2-15-2009 at 08:13 PM

Hola...road condition vary greatly depending on when they graded...this week the last 10 km into here is smooth as a baby's burro...just graded...and work starts this week on 6 more km of paving the dirt road so the only dirt part will soon be on just the final stretch into town...the road from Asuncion along the coast is pretty good in some parts and downright narly in others...it is nearly paved all the way from Abreojos to Fischer camp at the highway junction.
If you are coming in, U2U me for my phone # so you can let us know when you are coming so we can watch for you....but no worries...it's real safe and if something happens just tell the first person who stops you are coming to our place....have a great trip.

DianaT - 2-15-2009 at 08:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Hola...road condition vary greatly depending on when they graded...this week the last 10 km into here is smooth as a baby's burro...just graded...and work starts this week on 6 more km of paving the dirt road so the only dirt part will soon be on just the final stretch into town...the road from Asuncion along the coast is pretty good in some parts and downright narly in others


So they are finally starting work again---wonder how long this strectch with take.

Have they started filling the pot holes on the Vizcaino Rd?

If not, elfbrewery, be careful when you leave Vizcaino ---a few weeks ago close to the power station and ejido there are some really nasty potholes that sneak up on you.

On the road from Bahia Asuncion to Abreojos, when possible, drive the salt flats---unless wet, of course an do take the time to stop to see Punta Prieta and San Hipolito---very nice little villages--Shari can fix you up with relatives in San Hipolito.

It is a beautiful drive. Oh, one last hint. When coming into Bahia Asuncion when you first see the town there will be a y in the road. The one on the right looks like it is the most direct road and it will get you there, But, the fork on the left that follows the power poles is the better and main road, usually. Our last trip out a few weeks ago we clocked 12 miles as still dirt---not a problem.

Don't know about your clearance, but if they are working on new pavement and dirvert you on to a side road, watch out for rocks. They bring in the big rocks for building the drainage areas and they tend to fall of the trucks. One of our visitors lost an oil pan to one of those rocks.

Have a great trip
Diane

[Edited on 2-16-2009 by jdtrotter]

elfbrewery - 2-16-2009 at 07:20 PM

Thanks for all the info. Will pour over it, well I don't want it to get wet... Great to have all this info at a touch. Do you want an update when we're done?
Thanks again.

Diver - 2-16-2009 at 07:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elfbrewery
Do you want an update when we're done?
Thanks again.


Yes please; and pictures !! :yes:

Skip_Mac - 2-17-2009 at 10:39 PM

Elf and Diver, I'm in San Diego tonight and will cross the border Thursday to head down and test out the roads (Friday) Will post and/or will I see elf on the way...don't run down any Toyo Pruis you see.... That would be me... Happy Trails..

Skip_Mac - 2-21-2009 at 05:12 AM

JDTRotter has it exactly right. Drove the road yesterday, Few nasty potholes early in paves section, look for dirt tracks off the pavement to the right where saavy drivers leave the road to avoid the worst of the tire bighters.. Turnoff to Asuncion well signed. New pavement work and recently graded bypass in. Bypass is some loose sand, problems for a small low clearance car like mine. Likewise, I followed the powerline road to the left at the Y when I could just see Asuncion in the distance...mucho washboard and some loose sand, challenging for a small, low clearance (Prius) but I made it. Would have blasted it in my old FJ40 and had fun. Asuncion is a little gem, I'm gonna like it here.

Have a great trip elf.

Drive from border was incredibly easy and fast...just a few road repairs, often in town, widening streets. Still one big tope on the road into Guerreo Negro... just like 10 years ago, what did they make that one out of?

elfbrewery - 2-27-2009 at 12:57 PM

Ditto the above. The stretch from San Hipolito to La Bocana was very hard washboard. Our jeep did not enjoy the jarring and compromised steering. The rest was fine.
Enjoyed El Roque.
We had a visit from the fish police while exploring tide pools along the coast about 2 miles north of punta prieta. He showed up in an SUV with a handheld radio. He was just making sure we weren't disturbing the marine life. We assured him we were just taking a break and were headed for Campo Rene for the night.
We were trying to find "el berrendo," but the photo shows the closest thing we saw to an antelope.

elfbrewery - 2-27-2009 at 01:00 PM

Whoops, photo won't go. *SIGH! It was a cardboard antelope.

shari - 2-27-2009 at 01:09 PM

roadwork now advancing on road into Asuncion....so there is a sideroad graded for traffic...a big 5th wheeler came in a couple days ago no problem...didn't even complain about the road...(you know who you are dear lurker!!!) We have enjoyed their company and had a lovely BBQ at San Roque...side road is best now...the one cutting to the left.
Looks like the next 6km will be paved lickety split! ready for fishing season anyway.