Hola Nomads, We're having our semi annual clinic with the La Balandra Rotarians in La Paz soon. My contact down there, Dr. Alejandro Aguirre, tells
me that they MAY have a contact in the Aduana at Mexicali. If this pans out, it looks like I'll be crossing at Mexicali so he can smooth the way. We
always bring in a lot of supplies, used parts, etc. and we had some major problems with Customs on our last trip down. Since I'll be on the Cortez
side of Baja and I need to stop and see Coco, I was thinking of driving south from Mexicali, instead of crossing over to the Pacific side. I'll be
driving down in a 2005 GMC 1 ton 3500 long bed with 4X4. The tires are in OK shape, having about 27K miles on them. I'll be driving by myself. Does
anybody have any advice on driving this route? Thanks in advance, Paul BoeDavid K - 2-11-2010 at 03:09 PM
I sure would do it and save a hundred miles+ detour...
The latest from Nomads who used it when the bridges were washed out on Hwy. 1, said pretty much the same... passable in 2WD no problem.
You will have 20-25 miles of very rough/ rocky roadbed between El Huerfanito and Gonzaga Bay... that may slow you down to 10 mph.
Otherwise, sounds like pavement is about 14 miles from Puertecitos and new roadbed waiting to be paved for another 5 miles.
Gonzaga to Hwy. 1 (37 miles) is better, maintained, washboard graded road... passing Coco's about 24 miles from Gonzaga Bay (Rancho Grande/
Alfonsina's Pemex). Hwy. 1 is 13 miles from Coco's.boe4fun - 2-11-2010 at 03:17 PM
Thanks David, Things are still in flux and I may end up just having to fly down. Oh well, maybe otra vez. Paul
Road South of Puertecitos
bonanza bucko - 2-11-2010 at 05:51 PM
I heard from a buddy at Gonzaga Bay yesterday that the big bridge is finished at about mile 14 South of Puertecitos.....16 minutes. It's not paved
yet but they are letting you drive on it. The new road is finished, without blacktop, to Huerfenito....so that means there are only about 25 miles of
the old very bad road left.
Kinda too bad...but good too.
If you know how to drive "on top" of the washboard you should be able to make it to Gonzaga Bay in two hours from Puertecitos....then about another
1+30 to Mex 1.DeMinimis - 3-8-2010 at 06:08 PM
Quote:
Kinda too bad...but good too.
I vote Bad. Sounds like this might be our last year to enjoy Gonzaga "the way it was." I loved that horrible road.David K - 3-8-2010 at 06:35 PM
Well the new highway came to a suddon stop, just past El Huerfanito... and the crews have left! The 25 miles remaining is a nice barrier, perhaps?cj5orion - 3-9-2010 at 07:57 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Well the new highway came to a suddon stop, just past El Huerfanito... and the crews have left! The 25 miles remaining is a nice barrier, perhaps?
Yep,contract disputes.
No telling if it'll get resolved soon or not ?
We still have 20-25 miles of "barrier",,,,,for awhile. ?
But,WTF,Rafeal is destroying Gonzaga from the inside out anyhow !
hey boe4fun;;;;those tires of yours,,,street tires ? bring spares (2) !!!
When ya goin down ? possible "convoy" ??
[Edited on 3-9-2010 by cj5orion]
[Edited on 3-9-2010 by cj5orion]David K - 3-9-2010 at 08:30 AM
Well, so others don't thing that 'Gonzaga' is only Rafael's Rancho Grande... there still is Papa Fernandez', Alfonsina's, Campo Beluga, El Sacraficio,
Punta Final... and open areas where Arroyo Santa Maria reaches the bay.
A couple of my maps followed by others...
[Edited on 3-9-2010 by David K]DeMinimis - 3-9-2010 at 09:13 AM
Gee Dave, why not just give them the combination to my safe, my pin number, and the phone number to my favorite girlfriend.
Well, since we're sharing, I've got to say we loved Campo Beluga. We were it when there. Cold shower huts are right there too. Now, you might not
think a cold shower is very appealing, but if you have a Zoti (around $100 at any Wal-Hell), you can use their cold water and heat it right up. Here
it is:
David K - 3-9-2010 at 05:00 PM
"Don't Send Help"
I love it!DeMinimis - 3-9-2010 at 05:38 PM
I think I might have mentioned that message took three Pacificos to create. You may not know this, but there's "Time," "Baja-time" and "Deminimis
Time". The latter is obviously measured by consumed Pacificos and it is the most accurate... mas o menos.dizzyspots - 3-9-2010 at 07:42 PM
David...ok I am cartographically challenged...in reference to the "rock house" that overlooks the Sea of Cortez...has the paved road made it that
far??
Planning on going back to Gonzaga to kayak fish either in April or May
MikeDavid K - 3-11-2010 at 09:03 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by dizzyspots
David...ok I am cartographically challenged...in reference to the "rock house" that overlooks the Sea of Cortez...has the paved road made it that
far??
Planning on going back to Gonzaga to kayak fish either in April or May
Mike
Yes... the 'rock house' is north of Huerfanito on top of the Huerfanito grade. The pavement is to a point just south of Huerfanito on the plain.
I hear that the rock house cannot be seen from new highway, so you may need to detour off it up there?
View south of Isla El Huerfanito from the rock house:
View north towards Puertecitos from the rock house:
Lunch break inside the rock house:
boe4fun - 3-11-2010 at 10:26 AM
Hola all, I just got back from La Paz. I had to fly in. See my post under trip reports.
