BajaNomad

Bahia Tortuga to Asuncion

bajaking76 - 1-27-2011 at 02:05 PM

Hey Nomads,

A few questions: Bahia Tortuga to Asuncion.

1. How far is Asuncion from Turtle Bay?
2. On my map there is a road right before Turtle bay that takes you to Asuncion, is that still a good option? Or do I need to take the main road to Viscaino then turn South?
3. There is a small gathering of homes on that road, is it Puerto Nuevo?

Thanks,

BajaKing :coolup:

El Comadante Loco - 1-27-2011 at 03:11 PM

We went from Asuncion to Tortuga last March on motorcycles.
Great ride and worth the effort. Followed the dirt road out of Asuncion to the paved rd going into Tortuga. I do not remember the distance, but it's more than 70+ miles since I hit reserve about 6 miles outside of Tortuga.
Depending on what type of vehicle you have will determine if you can do it. There were some sandy patches but nothing a truck with limited slip could not handle. I would not try in a car. Just ask anyone in town where to catch the dirt rd to Asuncion. Enjoy and good luck

David K - 1-27-2011 at 06:18 PM

What are you driving?

If a Toyota truck (or other quality off highway vehicle), there is a more direct route that saves you 20 miles:





[Edited on 1-28-2011 by David K]

bajaking76 - 1-28-2011 at 06:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
What are you driving?

If a Toyota truck (or other quality off highway vehicle), there is a more direct route that saves you 20 miles:





[Edited on 1-28-2011 by David K]


Hey DK, yes I will be driving a Toy (Tundra) on this map I am assuming the black and white road = paved correct?

shari - 1-28-2011 at 07:34 AM

the back road is fine but real washboardy...a teeth chatterer for sure if thats what you are looking for...it's not close to the water and a bit dull...way faster to go back to the paved road and into asuncion that way...unless you like the rough stuff!!!
rememer that the gates are locked into san pablo and not sure about pto.nuevo.

Bob H - 1-28-2011 at 07:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
...a teeth chatterer for sure


Gotta love that quote..... :tumble:

Sunman - 1-28-2011 at 08:51 AM

Took me between 2 & 3 hours taking my time with side trips to San Cristobal and an attempt to go to San Pablo. As Shari sez it not an overly exciting drive but what the heck?

woody with a view - 1-28-2011 at 08:57 AM

so what's up with the gates? that sure would suck to drive in and be locked out.

David K - 1-28-2011 at 09:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaking76


Hey DK, yes I will be driving a Toy (Tundra) on this map I am assuming the black and white road = paved correct?


This map (AAA) is a few years old now. The black and white road means gravel and the parallel lines with cross lines means graded, and parallel lines only means unimproved dirt. All black is paved...

Anyway, the road is now paved all the way into Asuncion from Hwy. 1 at Vizcaino, and there is some pavement on the road into Tortugas on the west end.

Because Shari lives there, and also travels or hears from others on the area roads, hers is the best advice...

It may be 20 miles shorter going the direct road, but it has a washboard surface... So, your call!

boe4fun - 1-28-2011 at 09:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
...a teeth chatterer for sure


Gotta love that quote..... :tumble:


Took that route once, parts were falling off my truck like a leper on a stairmaster!

DianaT - 1-28-2011 at 09:35 AM

Guess we like different things. We have been out that road from Bahia Asuncion to San Jose de Castro a few times and ALWAYS think it is very interesting. It goes through some of what we find to be very interesting country. Sometimes we just drive out that way to explore.

The last time we went all the way to Tortugas that way was last June---from Bahia Asuncion to the turn off to San Pablo, the lobster feast capital, the road was quite a washboard, but it beyond the turn-off, the road had been recently graded beyond and was in GREAT shape----far better than the main road.

We came back the main road and the dirt part of it was HORRIBLE --- some of the worst washboard we have ever seen, and the other times we have been out there, we have found it the same. Washboard heaven---will be nice when the pavement is finished, but that will be a while. For now, we prefer the San Jose de Castro road.

The San Jose de Castro road is driven by locals in regular cars----even when it is rough. The worst was after a BIG storm when there were some washouts and more rocky areas.

Locals in Bahia Asuncion warn us of one thing going that way. Drive very slowly and with caution in the mountain areas of the dirt road because the road is narrow and the locals drive way to fast around the blind curves.

We made the mistake of going out to explore in that area and returning to BA right after a double header baseball game ended between BA and Tortugas. The people from Tortugas were returning home via that road and it seemed like most of them had been enjoying lots of liquid refreshment during the games----it was a wild time--.

We also found the road to Punta Eugenia in very good shape and very much enjoyed the drive out there.

Since it has been over 6 months since our last trip out there, it is difficult to know what it is like right now unless someone has been to Tortugas in the last couple of weeks----

Pavement----now paved into Bahia Asuncion from the main road.

Six months ago, it was paved from Tortugas to about the turn off to the San Jose de Castro road and they were finishing paving about 7/10 miles from the turn-off to Bahia Asuncion going toward Tortugas. Could be more by now,



[Edited on 1-28-2011 by DianaT]

elgatoloco - 1-28-2011 at 09:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
so what's up with the gates? that sure would suck to drive in and be locked out.


Happened to us. Gate was open going in locked next day going out. We ended up exploring until we found some real nice guys with a radio who called the co-op guys who went and unlocked gate for us. Lots of empty beaches along that stretch, if you know what I mean. ;D

DianaT - 1-28-2011 at 09:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
so what's up with the gates? that sure would suck to drive in and be locked out.


The gates are to try and protect the area from poachers from elsewhere.


Also, here is a link to when BajaBlanca visited Puerto Nuevo out that way.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=48762#pid5616...

[Edited on 1-28-2011 by DianaT]

bajaking76 - 1-28-2011 at 10:43 AM

Thanks everyone.....I will most likely opt for the San Jose de Castro road. Never been on it and to be honest I like to see the area before it gets pavement. I am ready to go and I still have to wait 6 month....sigh!

DK do you know if the newer AAA maps are as detailed as the maps you have?

:coolup:

David K - 1-28-2011 at 11:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaking76
Thanks everyone.....I will most likely opt for the San Jose de Castro road. Never been on it and to be honest I like to see the area before it gets pavement. I am ready to go and I still have to wait 6 month....sigh!

DK do you know if the newer AAA maps are as detailed as the maps you have?

:coolup:


That one is the 2007 edition and was the last one produced by the Auto Club of Southern California (that I am aware of). They have mapped Baja since the 1920's for motorists (I have posted those here on Nomad historical interests forum, by-the-way)... A rumor went out that they have decided to stop making the Baja map... A very sad thing!




[Edited on 1-28-2011 by David K]