BajaNomad

Gonzaga road work starting up.....slowly

cj5orion - 3-11-2011 at 08:10 AM

I jus drove back to SD Thursday,only about 17 miles of "rough road" from Gonzaga,rest of it has been "graded" to the pavement. Workers were there,starting to work some rebar,a few of the concrete drainage channels layin around.
Except for the grader working the road,,,no other "heavy equipment" was around though.

preston - 3-11-2011 at 01:33 PM

Thanks for the update. I am planning a trip in late May/early June with some amigos from Mexico City. They will only have a standard car (not high clearance). In the past I have always said that high clearance was necessary for this trip (not 4WD, just high clearance to make it over the rocks).

In your opinion, could this drive be made with a standard car right now? (driving carefully during the day of course). Just asking your opinion.

As I recall, the actual worst part (as of about a year ago) was the hill leading down into the entrance to Papa Fernandez's place. Is that still the case?

Thanks,

Preston

mcfez - 3-11-2011 at 01:58 PM

Yes...txs 4 the update!!!!! Good to know.

preston - 3-11-2011 at 02:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Yes...txs 4 the update!!!!! Good to know.


Mcfez:

Are you responding to my questions?

Preston

mcfez - 3-11-2011 at 03:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by preston
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Yes...txs 4 the update!!!!! Good to know.


Mcfez:

Are you responding to my questions?

Preston


Oh...sorry. No.....it was thrown at cj5orion

I am waiting for the answer to your question though...be nice if that part got graded or something.

First time we went that road...we both (wify) looked at each other and wondered if we lost our minds!

preston - 3-11-2011 at 04:25 PM

I know what you mean. For may years I did the trip alone or with my sons ... last year was the first time with my wife and she was having a hard time for the 20 miles into Gonzaga.

Me ... I just start drinking beer when I hit the hard stuff. Used to be a "six pack" drive, now just 3 beers will get me through. Smooths out the bumps.

Guess that will all stop when the pavement gets completed.

Couple of years ago I drove out following Raymundo (works at Antonio's place in Gonzaga) and a couple of his buddies. We went off road most of the way ... and the three of them polished off a full quart of Tequila before we hit the pavement.

BAJACAT - 3-12-2011 at 08:35 AM

I will be there for memorial day..I did the old rd before and what a rush that was, my shocks where so hot that you can boild a egg on them...but I would not miss the old rd...we stay @ Beluga camp, but this time we will camp at Punta Final(SNOOPY)...
Thanks for the updated..

Watch for the occasional bicyclist

Ken Cooke - 3-12-2011 at 11:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by preston
I know what you mean. For may years I did the trip alone or with my sons ... last year was the first time with my wife and she was having a hard time for the 20 miles into Gonzaga.

Me ... I just start drinking beer when I hit the hard stuff. Used to be a "six pack" drive, now just 3 beers will get me through. Smooths out the bumps.

Guess that will all stop when the pavement gets completed.

Couple of years ago I drove out following Raymundo (works at Antonio's place in Gonzaga) and a couple of his buddies. We went off road most of the way ... and the three of them polished off a full quart of Tequila before we hit the pavement.


This isn't a good plan while driving to Gonzaga. :!:

cj5orion - 3-12-2011 at 06:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by preston
Thanks for the update. I am planning a trip in late May/early June with some amigos from Mexico City. They will only have a standard car (not high clearance). In the past I have always said that high clearance was necessary for this trip (not 4WD, just high clearance to make it over the rocks).

In your opinion, could this drive be made with a standard car right now? (driving carefully during the day of course). Just asking your opinion.

As I recall, the actual worst part (as of about a year ago) was the hill leading down into the entrance to Papa Fernandez's place. Is that still the case?

Thanks,

Preston


The hill near Papas is still the same...ROUGH.
thats about the only rough part left,the rest of the "unimproved" road....pretty easy.
All the "good stuff" ....... gone...golf carts will be makin the drive pretty soon

hey mcfez....we still got that "beer bet" on the road being paved to Gonzaga by summer ? I'll give ya till the summer/fall equinox ???? :?: :biggrin:

mcfez - 3-12-2011 at 09:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cj5orion
Quote:
Originally posted by preston
Thanks for the update. I am planning a trip in late May/early June with some amigos from Mexico City. They will only have a standard car (not high clearance). In the past I have always said that high clearance was necessary for this trip (not 4WD, just high clearance to make it over the rocks).

In your opinion, could this drive be made with a standard car right now? (driving carefully during the day of course). Just asking your opinion.

As I recall, the actual worst part (as of about a year ago) was the hill leading down into the entrance to Papa Fernandez's place. Is that still the case?

Thanks,

Preston


The hill near Papas is still the same...ROUGH.
thats about the only rough part left,the rest of the "unimproved" road....pretty easy.
All the "good stuff" ....... gone...golf carts will be makin the drive pretty soon

hey mcfez....we still got that "beer bet" on the road being paved to Gonzaga by summer ? I'll give ya till the summer/fall equinox ???? :?: :biggrin:


I still it be done by mid summer. I hope at least. Did you happen to notice any activity going on at the restaurant located at campo christina? Thats where the food service has set up for the crews.

Regardless....I'll buy you or any other BN a beer any time.......including soulpatch......and Dave.

[Edited on 3-13-2011 by mcfez]

redhilltown - 3-13-2011 at 12:32 AM

Sitting here in downtown Long Beach all this talk of beer and Gonzaga Bay is painful!!!!!!!!!

BAJACAT - 3-13-2011 at 10:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
Sitting here in downtown Long Beach all this talk of beer and Gonzaga Bay is painful!!!!!!!!!
redhilltown, here is a little Baja fix to keep you going untill you can make it back to Gonzaga, this place is beatifull,I hope the new rd makes it better,,,

TMW - 3-14-2011 at 10:02 AM

I drove up the road from hwy 1 last Friday the 12th and I would not recommend a car unless you don't care too much for it. It's still very hard on standard shocks and there are some height issues in some areas.

preston - 3-14-2011 at 03:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I drove up the road from hwy 1 last Friday the 12th and I would not recommend a car unless you don't care too much for it. It's still very hard on standard shocks and there are some height issues in some areas.


Thanks for all the input (and the perspective TW). I'll take it into consideration. That last leg into Papa's has been brutal on my vehicles in the past. I get a little anxious (sloppy) and have bottomed out several times. Fortunately nothing too bad.

preston - 3-14-2011 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by preston
I know what you mean. For may years I did the trip alone or with my sons ... last year was the first time with my wife and she was having a hard time for the 20 miles into Gonzaga.

Me ... I just start drinking beer when I hit the hard stuff. Used to be a "six pack" drive, now just 3 beers will get me through. Smooths out the bumps.

Guess that will all stop when the pavement gets completed.

Couple of years ago I drove out following Raymundo (works at Antonio's place in Gonzaga) and a couple of his buddies. We went off road most of the way ... and the three of them polished off a full quart of Tequila before we hit the pavement.


This isn't a good plan while driving to Gonzaga. :!:


Bicyclist ... on that road!! Never seen one ... and never will until it is paved through.

I know my comment was/is highly "politically incorrect" ... but, understand that of the 5 trips I've made on that road, I have probobly seen 5 cars TOTAL. I can recall 2 trips where I never saw anyone. Nada.

I know this will change.

David K - 3-14-2011 at 03:42 PM

If you don't have the suspension set up for Baja, then you really need to just slow down and take it easy. :yes:

dizzyspots - 3-14-2011 at 05:00 PM

last year on our trip down there we past a guy on a "skinny tire" bicycle headed south in San Felipe (Thurs)

Sun AM when we were leaving Campo Beluga...he was camped next to us!!!!:O

we gave him our extra water ..he did not want any food...little skinny guy...maybe 100lbs...from England...started in Alaska..headed to tip of South America

TMW - 3-14-2011 at 08:57 PM

["little skinny guy...maybe 100lbs..."]

That's the problem with those bike guys, thats why they ride up hill so fast. Fat guys like me need a motor.

bryanmckenzie - 3-18-2011 at 06:46 PM

Thanks, CJ.