BajaNomad

Help Planing My USA-LaPaz-USA trip

BillWilson - 10-28-2009 at 07:57 AM

Folks
taking my first Baja trip in years

Newly outfitted Sportsmobile 4x4, self contained
New wife and dog

I speak pretty good spanish
Lived in Mex for 10 years '83-'93

Need:
Camping spots down the Sea of Cortez to La Paz
I plan on 3-4 days down, Turkey Day w/ friend in La Paz
3-4 days back to USofA

If you could make some suggestions would be great
I have a Garmen 1490t
Plan on buying some Baja topos (suggestions?)

Not looking for a off road 4x4 trip
Dont want to be with a ton of huge RV's in a park

thanx in advance for help
hope i posted in correct spot, if not mods can move
will post pics of rig and events as i get time
BW

ps
not my rig, but very similar

rig pic

BillWilson - 10-28-2009 at 08:15 AM

could not figure outhow to edit

here is my rig
(yes, i love my rig :)

David K - 10-28-2009 at 08:39 AM

Sounds like a blast!

Some camping places on the Cortez:

A) Campos at Laguna Percebu (Km. 20+) or Nuevo Mazatlan (Km. 32)... or remote camping at Shell Island (Km. 26).

B) Campo Beluga (Gonzaga Bay)

C) La Gringa area (Bahia de los Angeles)

D) Bahia las Animas or Bahia San Rafael (Pancho's place) or Punta San Francisquito.

E) San Lucas Cove, south of Santa Rosalia.

F) El Requeson or a number of other spots on Bahia Concepcion.

G) Bahia Agua Verde.

Packoderm - 10-28-2009 at 08:44 AM

First, I suggest that you try to get a little more time for the trip there and back. With your plan you'll be mainly on the road traveling, and that will negate long walks on the beach with the new wife. You can easily find many spots on your own that meet your criteria.

DENNIS - 10-28-2009 at 08:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
First, I suggest that you try to get a little more time for the trip there and back.



That's right, Mr. Wilson. You need to add about thirty days to your itinerary. Have a good trip.

BillWilson - 10-28-2009 at 08:56 AM

Thanx so much for location suggestions

I agree with the lenght of time

However someone has to run my business :)

Perhaps some of you can volunteer to take shifts? LOL

Keep the locations coming, will get out the baja maps

Hey, any suggestions on better maps?
Natl Geo?
How about topo software?

David K - 10-28-2009 at 09:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BillWilson
Thanx so much for location suggestions

I agree with the lenght of time

However someone has to run my business :)

Perhaps some of you can volunteer to take shifts? LOL

Keep the locations coming, will get out the baja maps

Hey, any suggestions on better maps?
Natl Geo?
How about topo software?


Here's one: http://www.meximaps.com/GarminBaja.htm

See the detail: http://www.meximaps.com/BajaGarminPics.htm

[Edited on 10-28-2009 by David K]

DENNIS - 10-28-2009 at 09:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BillWilson
Hey, any suggestions on better maps?
Natl Geo?
How about topo software?



Triple A has always been the standard but, maybe David can help you with other suggestions.

David K - 10-28-2009 at 09:09 AM

Dennis is correct that the Auto Club Baja map has the most useful driving details (mileages, gas locations, etc.)... The out of print Baja Calif. Almanac has the most off road trails details (new edition over due, was supposed to be available this year) http://www.baja-almanac.com/

the Nat'l Geo. map is BIG and beautiful... but won't give you more information...

The AAA Baja guide is pretty good, along with Moon and Lonely Planet guides... cover only paved and major graded roads.

comitan - 10-28-2009 at 09:11 AM

I would not think of making that trip unless you had more time.

DENNIS - 10-28-2009 at 09:12 AM

David....Twenty Gs by noon? :yes::yes:

vandenberg - 10-28-2009 at 09:25 AM

Bill,
with that itinerary, instead of camping on the beaches on the way, why doesn't one of you sleep while the other drives.:?::biggrin: That way you should have an extra day around Turkey day to spend with your friends.:biggrin::biggrin:
Just a suggestion. Better have another look at the distances you intend to travel and the road. Highway one ain't no interstate.:lol:

[Edited on 10-28-2009 by vandenberg]

David K - 10-28-2009 at 09:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
David....Twenty Gs by noon? :yes::yes:


Oh, I don't think so... I got to go do a couple of jobs now... Maybe later! Do I get a prize? (You will catch up and pass me, Dennis!)

BillWilson - 10-28-2009 at 10:07 AM

Crikey, you folks are prolific
THANX

great input
AAA and will ck out the topos

Driving
wife does not drive
i have driven TJ-Cabo many times
( i need to post a TR on a couple of them from the late 80's)

Will have to juggle the drive time
I can tweak it by driving early morn in the twilight
as the mrs. sleeps

I am well aware of driving in the dark in The Baja
(ex: late 80's run leaving Giggling Marlin @ 10 pm, 1976 Caddie headed to of all places Palm Springs...)

Thinking now 4-5 days down
2 days for The Turkey
5-6 coming back...

keep the camping suggeestions coming
best
BW

Packoderm - 10-28-2009 at 10:23 AM

You can fast track it through the Pacific route by camping at El Pabellon in San Quintin and then spend more time on the Cortez in Bahia Concepcion and below.








tripledigitken - 10-28-2009 at 10:26 AM

Given your schedule, I would bypass San Felipe/Gonzaga and go down Mex 1.

Try to camp at Rancho Santa Ynez in Catavina. It is a dry camp with very nice hosts that will cook simple fare if you want. It is a beatiful location.

As mentioned don't miss camping somewhere along Bahia de Conception.

If you can spare a day side trip in Loreto, take in Mission San Javier.

Nice rig, by the way!

Ken

Packoderm - 10-28-2009 at 11:03 AM

Maybe try Gonzaga/San Felipe on the way back up if you have time.

comitan - 10-28-2009 at 12:01 PM

Super nice rig.$$$$$$$$$

BillWilson - 10-28-2009 at 12:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
Super nice rig.$$$$$$$$$


Thank you
Bought the rig for great price
Found a great interior guy in Spring Valley
Did a ton of reasearch

My $$ in is about 1/3 of what a new rig would cost
BUT that is not the full story
Factory rigs come with "assembly line" stuff
I have some pretty sturdy stuff so the 1/3 price is not the full story......

I will find a place here to post my build out of my other rigs and this and what i have learned

I am from the school that once done, i want to go use it not wash and wax

Its gotta take a wet dog, sandy beach chairs, spilled hot sauce, rain, heat and keep on going.

Bajahowodd - 10-28-2009 at 12:17 PM

As I started reading this thread, I already composed my post until I hit on Pack and Ken. From the beginning, I wasn't convinced that he was looking to head down the SOC side all the way from San Felipe, especially since he stated he wasn't into four-wheeling. I'm thinking that even his first mention of allotted time seemed to give him maybe 9 days in Baja, and all those posts about not enough time? Now, he's inching up to two weeks. I agree with you guys, Stay on Highway One. Camp along the Pacific side. Geez, there's even a nice little campground just before you get to the center of San Ignacio. Think about cutting over to BOLA either on the way down or up. The Gonzaga thing should be another trip. And if staying at Rancho Santa Ynez, there's always the option of eating at the hotel restaurant across the way. It's not bad.

It's about the beach, right?

David K - 10-28-2009 at 08:01 PM

Sea of Cortez is like another world compared to the cold Pacific... Here are photos of (some) Baja Norte, Sea of Cortez beach camp areas:

Laguna Percebu:



Shell Island:



Nuevo Mazatlan:



Gonzaga Bay:
(Alfonsina's)





(Campo Beluga)



Bahia de los Angeles:



(Punta La Gringa)



Bahia las Animas:



Bahia San Rafael:



Punta San Francisquito:



Remember to have a good electric air pump, as any sand driving will likely require you to deflate your tires to 10-20 PSI... and you will want to inflate after getting out of the sand.

Skipjack Joe - 10-28-2009 at 09:09 PM

day1 - catavina, st ines
day2 - BOLA
day 3,4 - Concepcion
day 5,6,7 - La paz, La Ventana
day 8 - Pt. Escondido, Tripui, Loreto
day 9 - San Quintin
day 10 - home

BillWilson - 10-29-2009 at 07:13 AM

you guys are the best
thanx so much

i have some pics to post if i can find a gallery here

keep the suggestions coming

getting AAA maps today to plan the route

best
bw