Vizcaino to Bahia Asuncion The Good and Bad News

Currrent Conditions-- forgive the glare from the now broken windshield and the afternoon sun----photos for informational purposes only. More on the windshield later.

A couple of years ago, the first part of the road leaving Vizcaino toward Torgugas was replaced, so it is in great shape---up to the Ejido.

Then these start to appear and they are nasty.



And in several places this is the road. It is worse than when we last drove it 2 weeks ago.

[/URL]



So at times we drive like this--



Have to be real careful driving on the side like that as some have been worn down and it would be easy to end up on your side.

Even on the middle section of the highway (middle between Vizcaino and turn-off to Bahia Asuncion) that is in quite good shape, there are several of these.



And if the arm of one of these dunes looks a little thick, be very careful as they can be as hard as a concrete tope!

That middle section can lull you into thinking, no more real problems!

Wrong----the last approximately 20 kilometers are the WORST

And one of the worst places is on the little hill just west of The Oasis
Those holes are killers



Don't want to have any speed going up that hill!



Right there it is worse that the pictures show.

In some areas side roads have been created by the locals---some better than others and some of the places to go on and off the main highway have worn down to being very steep.



Even what has become mostly smooth salt flat road has some surprise dips---keep the speed down.




And of course, avoid all wet areas




Pavement, what pavement??





Temporary indecision---semi paved or dirt---in this area some of the dirt is very soft and the dirt road quite bumpy.



And where the big dune used to be close to the turn-off



There are remnants of pavement under all that sand.


THE GOOD NEWS---the really nasty surprises that were on the first part of the paved part of the road heading into Bahia Asuncion have been repaired!

The remaining approx. 8 miles of dirt is getting close to being paved---and they are real serious about keeping people OFF the new road bed with barricades that include things like this



But after the Vizcaino-Tortugas road this was a welcome sight.



Today heard from one of the water truck contractors that they are going to start working on the Vizcaino road next month----we sure hope so.

Oh, the windshield----if while driving south you see a weed cutting machine along the highway north of San Quintin----BEWARE. Most of the workers had machetes, but one had a rider mower----with no rock guard.

It was a big rock that fortunately hit on the driver's side near the bottom of the windshield----glass on dashboard, but hole not real large---but if it had hit higher up, it could have been a disaster. Have had lots of rocks hit our windshields before and ding it---but this was REALLY loud.

Out came the duct tape---out of sight, out of mind. Opps, until we hit the first bump coming out of Vizcaino---we now have intersecting cracks growing toward the top. And the worst part is that this is a fairly new windshield ---- last two had several dings, repairs, etc., before the cracks came. This one had not even a little rock ding.

But, again, it could have been much worse----but if you see one road worker in that area with a mowing machine, head for the other side of the road.

And when you do visit Bahia Asuncion, plan on taking your time driving that awful highway.

Buen Viaje

[Edited on 7-25-2010 by DianaT]

En verdad, vale la pena. In truth, its worth the effort.

OK, not funny, but so well told I am laughing. Volcanos---yes.

And for us, it is worth it----we just cringe when we need to go to Vizcaino ---do you think if we all sacrifice a chicken and chant around a midnight bonfire that will help?

Cypress, they are killers! One did put the padre from Vizcaino in the hospital for quite a while. We saw the what was left of the car---not a pretty picture. Guess he would not have thought about sacrificing a chicken.

Seriously, someone kept him alive.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT Quote: Originally posted by Mulegena Those holes in the Viscaino road, well I think they articulate with the Volcano Tres Virgenes. They make you think you're in hell, fer sure. All this being said, the rough roads and relative inaccessibility make Bahia Asuncion and the South Central Baja Pacific Coast all the more desirable, magical and pristine destination. OK, not funny, but so well told I am laughing. Volcanos---yes. And for us, it is worth it----we just cringe when we need to go to Vizcaino ---do you think if we all sacrifice a chicken and chant around a midnight bonfire that will help?

I am guessing that your road is still dirt? If it is, I agree---just slow down and enjoy---stop, get out and look around.

But torn up pavement is such a nightmare, and there are places where 5 mph would be excessive, people barely are moving---everyone is just all over the road trying to dodge the deep pits. This road causes stiff necks and headaches; no time to enjoy the trip as all eyes are focused on the road.

And going to Vizcaino is a necessity around here----bank, more medical, many construction supplies, etc. It is the supply center and even at very, very slow speeds, barely moving, if a car, especially a regular car hits one of those pits, it will be damaged. I am surprised the fish trucks ever make it out of here as slow as they have to drive. So this road is really a road for personal and other commerce, so quite different.

So yes, slow down, enjoy the trip, but meantime I think I will start gathering those sacrificial chickens.

[Edited on 7-25-2010 by DianaT]

With Asuncion's Fiesta coming soon, will they put any extra effort to fill the potholes? It is quite easy to become impatient and do some real damage to your vehicle! How's the road condition from Hwy 1 out to Abreojos?? From there the salt flats out to La Bocana are smooth. Great open coastline and shorefishing out there, too. Will my Honda Odyssey make it? tio

Quote:

Originally posted by tiotomasbcs With Asuncion's Fiesta coming soon, will they put any extra effort to fill the potholes? It is quite easy to become impatient and do some real damage to your vehicle! How's the road condition from Hwy 1 out to Abreojos?? From there the salt flats out to La Bocana are smooth. Great open coastline and shorefishing out there, too. Will my Honda Odyssey make it? tio

I don't know. Are your friends bad people? Just kidding

It used to be larger. Don't know now even though I was just there last month. Yes , we completed the Census as well. interesting questions, like do you own a refrigerator, washing machine, etc

Hubcaps? You're worried about hubcaps? Look closely and you'll see a VW down in the bottom of one of those potholes!

When they asked about a television, they could not believe that we said no---they both looked around the living room just sure there must be a TV hiding somewhere.

Quote:

Originally posted by BMG Quote: Originally posted by Mulegena The Viscaino Road is holding for ransom my Toyota's four hubcaps from last Spring's visit to the coast. Hubcaps? You're worried about hubcaps? Look closely and you'll see a VW down in the bottom of one of those potholes!

Dang, so that is what that bright yellow shiney thing was in that hole.

Normal traffic; cars, light trucks, etc. won't tear up a well constructed asphalt road. Big trucks, hauling overweight loads will destroy 'em.

Asphalt thicker than 1/4 inch helps, too!

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Normal traffic; cars, light trucks, etc. won't tear up a well constructed asphalt road. Big trucks, hauling overweight loads will destroy 'em.

Why the blame game guys. I see the same problem in Arizona. Now David, since you live in Kalifornia, I'll bet your roads are perfect!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666 Quote: Originally posted by Cypress Normal traffic; cars, light trucks, etc. won't tear up a well constructed asphalt road. Big trucks, hauling overweight loads will destroy 'em. don't blame the vehicle loading -- roads need to be designed for anticipated loads. blame the project owner, design engineers and CQC inspectors. if they had insufficient funds, they should have built good all-weather unpaved road rather than under-designed paved road. it doesn't take rocket scientists to design a good road, so blame the government that led the project (incompetent, lazy or uncaring bureaucrats are to blame)

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 Quote: Originally posted by Cypress Normal traffic; cars, light trucks, etc. won't tear up a well constructed asphalt road. Big trucks, hauling overweight loads will destroy 'em. don't blame the vehicle loading -- roads need to be designed for anticipated loads. blame the project owner, design engineers and CQC inspectors. if they had insufficient funds, they should have built good all-weather unpaved road rather than under-designed paved road. it doesn't take rocket scientists to design a good road, so blame the government that led the project (incompetent, lazy or uncaring bureaucrats are to blame) This is the smartest thing I have ever read you post goat!

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT Quote: Originally posted by David K Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 Quote: Originally posted by Cypress Normal traffic; cars, light trucks, etc. won't tear up a well constructed asphalt road. Big trucks, hauling overweight loads will destroy 'em. don't blame the vehicle loading -- roads need to be designed for anticipated loads. blame the project owner, design engineers and CQC inspectors. if they had insufficient funds, they should have built good all-weather unpaved road rather than under-designed paved road. it doesn't take rocket scientists to design a good road, so blame the government that led the project (incompetent, lazy or uncaring bureaucrats are to blame) This is the smartest thing I have ever read you post goat! But from what we have been told, that would not really be the case. Yes, the government funds it, but it is contracted out to PRIVATE contractors. Then the contractors cut corners to increase profits. Also when they have problems with agencies like PROFEPA, they just pay the fines and cut more corners. So while the government may look the other way, and probably certain government individuals help with who gets the contract, it is private industry that builds lousy roads. It is that almighty greed factor.

a welcomed sight

I just tookt this photo on a quick trip ...(well actually a slow, painful, potholed trip) to Vizcaino. It is the first layer of pavement being laid as I type...the pavement right into the village is supposed to be ready by Aug.15 when the governor is said to be cutting the ribbon on the newly finished highway into Asuncion...hmmm...maybe!

then they are supposed to fix the potholes...we can only hope!