BajaNomad

Valle de Trinidad dirt road

Bajatripper - 8-8-2011 at 01:54 PM

Anyone been on the dirt road connecting Highway 3 (at Lazaro Card##as) with Highway One (below San Vicente) recently? I'm considering this bypass and was wondering what the road condition is and how long it might take to travel it.

While I'm at it, anyone been on the Calamajue Canyon road lately? I'm talking about the road from the old El Crucero Ranch turnoff to San Luiz Gonzaga Bay.

[Edited on 8-8-2011 by Bajatripper]

TMW - 8-8-2011 at 02:12 PM

I was on it in April and it was OK. They ran the Baja 500 on it as they always do in June. I don't remember any really bad spots. I would not pull a big trailer over it. It's about 35-40 miles so your looking at 1.5 to 2 hrs at least. It can be done faster if in a hurry. I'm assuming you will be driving a PU or SUV, something with clearance.

Valle de Trinidad to San Vicente

John M - 8-8-2011 at 02:16 PM

We also ran that road just a bit earlier than TW.

Sure took longer than I recalled from earlier trips, TW says 1.5 to 2 hours and I think we were over 2 hours but I'm probably older and slower than he.

Road surface is ok and once you get a couple of miles out of Valle de Trinidad there is no where to go wrong as I recall.

John M

Bajatripper - 8-8-2011 at 02:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I was on it in April and it was OK. They ran the Baja 500 on it as they always do in June. I don't remember any really bad spots. I would not pull a big trailer over it. It's about 35-40 miles so your looking at 1.5 to 2 hrs at least. It can be done faster if in a hurry. I'm assuming you will be driving a PU or SUV, something with clearance.


Thanks, TW and John M. Just what I wanted to hear.

[Edited on 8-9-2011 by Bajatripper]

David K - 8-8-2011 at 06:20 PM

Calamajue Canyon gets chewed up good when the 1000 uses it, but as all things in Nature, it does heal in time. I remember one extra deep hole (in the stream you are driving in) when I was in it last (2002)!

mcfez - 8-8-2011 at 07:29 PM

David..will you post a map of exactly where we are talking about? I seem to be a bit foggy here about the area.....txs in advance

AmoPescar - 8-8-2011 at 10:18 PM

Tripper...

I've been across it a couple of times...

Once in the Ford F250 with Callen camper and pulling a 14ft. trailer with quads. Never felt like I needed to use 4 wheel drive. It was quite an experience. Had a flat on the trailer half way through. The rim was dented on the lip, guess I hit a rock. Pulled out the 3lb short-handled sledge and punded it back in shape. Aired it up and it worked fine!

Second time was on a quad. That was a blast! Hauled Buttski the whole way.

Anyway...it's a fairly typical Baja dirt road. Ruts, rocks, maybe mud and can be narrow in some places. Take your time and be careful and you shouldn't have any problems.

Have fun!

Miguelamo :tumble: ;D ;)

David K - 8-8-2011 at 10:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
David..will you post a map of exactly where we are talking about? I seem to be a bit foggy here about the area.....txs in advance




The canyon begins near the Calamajue misson site and continues south for 7 miles, much of it is driven directly in the stream. The southern end of this road meets Highway 1 at the site of the former rancho 'El Crucero' from the late 60's and early 70's.

This was the main route of Hwy. 5 until the new graded road was built in 1982 between Laguna Chapala and the junction we call today 'Coco's Corner'.

bajalou - 8-8-2011 at 10:29 PM

I late April, where the road was improved with some red dirt, it was washboard, when I got to the sand without anything added it smoothed out. Not a bad road at all.

This is the Valle de Trinidad cut off I'm talking about.

[Edited on 8-9-2011 by bajalou]

David K - 8-8-2011 at 10:33 PM

Bajatripper is asking about two different roads, unless you mention 'Valle Trinidad to San Vicente' or 'Calamajue to El Crucero', it might be confusing with some answers! :yes::wow:

mcfez - 8-8-2011 at 10:37 PM

Thanks David....
I was thinking it was somewhere other than this.

David K - 8-8-2011 at 10:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Thanks David....
I was thinking it was somewhere other than this.


Well, as I said, Tripper is asking about two far different roads... and except for mine, all answers are about the Valle de Trinidad to San Vicente road.

Are you also asking for a map of that road or were you wondering about the one I responded to?

[Edited on 8-9-2011 by David K]

El Crucero to Gonzaga

John M - 8-9-2011 at 07:12 AM

Baja Tripper edited his post, David, subsequent to TW and I posting - at the time he had only asked about the Valle de Trinidad road.

Baja Tripper - we drove El Crucero to Gonzaga via Calamajue Wash last October and have driven it a good number of times. The conditions don't change much although the exact route moves around a bit as you go through the muddy section near to exiting Arroyo Calamajue.

I would certainly recommend 4x4 due to some soft sand and the aforementioned mud. I have no doubt NOMADS have driven it in two wheel drive but I sure think you'd stand a pretty good chance of spending lots of time on the end of a shovel.

I can provide GPS data and exact mileages we measured to go along with the map David K posted if you wish.

John M

Bajatripper - 8-9-2011 at 07:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Calamajue Canyon gets chewed up good when the 1000 uses it, but as all things in Nature, it does heal in time. I remember one extra deep hole (in the stream you are driving in) when I was in it last (2002)!


Yeah, I remember that hole well, and that was four years ago for me. I usually am not so "cautious," but when I travel with my daughter, I tend to think things through a little bit more.

Bajatripper - 8-9-2011 at 07:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by John M
Baja Tripper - we drove El Crucero to Gonzaga via Calamajue Wash last October and have driven it a good number of times. The conditions don't change much although the exact route moves around a bit as you go through the muddy section near to exiting Arroyo Calamajue.

I would certainly recommend 4x4 due to some soft sand and the aforementioned mud. I have no doubt NOMADS have driven it in two wheel drive but I sure think you'd stand a pretty good chance of spending lots of time on the end of a shovel.

John M


Thanks, John. While I won't need the GPS coordinates (you've already provided what I was looking for with this second post), perhaps others (Mcfez?) might be interested, so please, post away.

As usual, I am most impressed with the wealth of info our fellow Nomads provide. Thanks to all.

mcfez - 8-9-2011 at 08:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Thanks David....
I was thinking it was somewhere other than this.


Well, as I said, Tripper is asking about two far different roads... and except for mine, all answers are about the Valle de Trinidad to San Vicente road.

Are you also asking for a map of that road or were you wondering about the one I responded to?

[Edited on 8-9-2011 by David K]


I assumed it was the road leaving the back side of San Felipe to Mex 3

I was going to buy a new GPS.....but was thinking that if I could glue your ass onto my dash board....that be better ;)

Regards, and thanks David

David K - 8-9-2011 at 08:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Thanks David....
I was thinking it was somewhere other than this.


Well, as I said, Tripper is asking about two far different roads... and except for mine, all answers are about the Valle de Trinidad to San Vicente road.

Are you also asking for a map of that road or were you wondering about the one I responded to?

[Edited on 8-9-2011 by David K]


I assumed it was the road leaving the back side of San Felipe to Mex 3

I was going to buy a new GPS.....but was thinking that if I could glue your burro onto my dash board....that be better ;)

Regards, and thanks David


Oh, well that is a third and different road altogether! LOL

It is the original Ensenada to San Felipe route, but some of it is now graded. Used mostly to go to Valle Chico, Diablo Dry Lake and Diablo Canyon (at the foot of Diablo Mountain).

Many use the cut off from Hwy. 5 at the storage building... this is after El Dorado Ranch closed the original (but regraded) road from the big Rockadile sign... the older route across here was called the Zoo Road by off road racers as there used to be a curio shop on Hwy. 5 called the San Felipe Zoo. It sold wood carvings of animal shapes, etc.



Here is a map (AAA) with two routes across Baja (to or from San Felipe) shown... One is Bajatrippers Valle de Trinidad to San Vicente route and the other is through Mike's Sky Rancho.

The Diablo Dry Lake road that goes right to the arches in San Felipe is shown.

mcfez - 8-9-2011 at 08:57 AM

So...I am not nutz after all ;)

Gods...I love it out there.

Txs DK

Dave - 8-9-2011 at 09:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Bajatripper is asking about two different roads, unless you mention 'Valle Trinidad to San Vicente' or 'Calamajue to El Crucero', it might be confusing with some answers! :yes::wow:


David, the road in question heads west from Valle Trinidad and connects with highway 1 a bit north of Colonet.

David K - 8-9-2011 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Bajatripper is asking about two different roads, unless you mention 'Valle Trinidad to San Vicente' or 'Calamajue to El Crucero', it might be confusing with some answers! :yes::wow:


David, the road in question heads west from Valle Trinidad and connects with highway 1 a bit north of Colonet.


I have been on it Dave, and it is just south of San Vicente (8 miles) and 15 miles north of Colonet... same road.

Bajatripper - 8-9-2011 at 01:57 PM

David K, on one of your maps above, you also have "spotted in" a road that leaves Highway 3 at San Matias and joins the road to the Observatory. Been on that one lately? What's it like?

bent-rim - 8-9-2011 at 02:03 PM

Bajatripper,
You probably want to find out about the condition of the road from San Vicente to Valle de Trinidad from someone who's been on it recently, i.e. after the race. I rode that road on a dirt bike one year and it was a whooped out barrel of fun. I went back there the next year and it was a graded super highway, which is probably what your looking for. Those trips occurred in the spring of 07 & 08.

Bajatripper - 8-9-2011 at 02:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bent-rim
Bajatripper,
You probably want to find out about the condition of the road from San Vicente to Valle de Trinidad from someone who's been on it recently, i.e. after the race. I rode that road on a dirt bike one year and it was a whooped out barrel of fun. I went back there the next year and it was a graded super highway, which is probably what your looking for. Those trips occurred in the spring of 07 & 08.


Thanks for the input, bent-rim. My objective is to get from the Gulf side to the Pacific and make a trip up to the observatory in the Sierra de San Pedro Martir. The better road is likely the one you mention. But seeing as David K has included a map showing the shortcut to the observatory road, I thought I'd check to see if anyone has been on it lately, too.

Again, thanks for all the info.

David K - 8-9-2011 at 02:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
David K, on one of your maps above, you also have "spotted in" a road that leaves Highway 3 at San Matias and joins the road to the Observatory. Been on that one lately? What's it like?


Was on it from west to east in Sept., 2005... It was a fun day's trip from San Quintin to San Felipe... See the photos and road log (with driving times): http://vivabaja.com/905/

Used a bit of 4WD between El Coyote and Mike's Sky Rancho... otherwise it was a sinch. Mike's to San Matias is muy rapido!


Mileage, elevation, driving time and GPS (NAD27Mexico):

ACROSS BAJA (Hwy. 1 to Hwy. 3) via Mike's Sky Rancho (GPS datum is NAD27)

Highway 1 (at Paved 'Observatorio, San Pedro Martir' road): 0.0 miles, 0:00 hours, 123' elev., 30°58.01', 116°09.24'

San Telmo: 5.7 mi., 0:09 hrs., 310', 30°58.13', 116°05.45'

Hacienda Sinaloa: 11.4 mi., 0:18 hrs., 483', 30°56.93', 116°00.67'

Road south (El Carricito, Valladares), stay on pavement: 16.9 mi., 0:27 hrs., 529', 30°56.55' 115°56.28'

Road north (Buenavista), stay on pavement: 17.5 mi., 0:29 hrs., 564', 30°56.96', 115°55.90'

Take road north to El Coyote and Mike's: 30.1 mi., 0:55 hrs., 2,611', 30°58.60', 115°45.91'

El Coyote driveway west (go east for Mike's): 34.8 mi., 1:08 hrs., 2,958', 31°02.23', 115°45.50'

Los Encinos road east (go north for Mike's): 39.3 mi., 1:41 hrs., 3,405', 31°03.43', 115°42.17'

Alternate (northwest) road in from El Coyote: 41.5 mi., 1:57 hrs., 3,852', 31°04.33', 115°41.12'

Rancho Simpson and Tepi road to north: 43.4 mi., 2:09 hrs., 4,570', 31°05.18', 115°39.72'

Mike's Sky Rancho: 46.6 mi., 2:41 hrs., 3,992' elev., 31°06.57', 115°38.10'




Part 2, Mike's Sky Rancho north to Hwy. 3

Mike's Sky Rancho: 0.0 miles, 0:00 hours (see above for other data)
Rancho El Conejo road: 5.1 mi., 0:21 hrs., 4,108', 31°09.94', 115°39.17'

La Cieneguita road northwest: 5.7 mi., 0:24 hrs., 4,115', 31°10.46', 115°39.30'

Rancho San Javier road: 8.3 mi., 0:30 hrs., 4,287', 31°11.70', 115°37.52'

Rancho San Antonio: 9.8 mi., 0:37 hrs., 3,956', 31°12.40', 115°36.72'

Road to west (Alberchigos): 13.3 mi., 0:48 hrs., 3,583', 31°15.16'. 115°36.00'

Rancho Picacho road south: 16.8 mi., 0:57 hrs., 3,438', 31°17.77', 115°35.06'

Highway 3 (just east of San Matias): 19.8 mi., 1:03 hrs., 3,143', 31°20.24', 115°34.39'

Here's a close up of the 4WD section:



Mileages along the route we used:



[Edited on 8-9-2011 by David K]

Bajatripper - 8-9-2011 at 02:44 PM

Thanks, David

David K - 8-9-2011 at 04:06 PM

El gusto es mio, Steve-o!

TMW - 8-10-2011 at 09:05 AM

BT you should read this thread for that road.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=54423

Bajatripper - 8-10-2011 at 09:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
BT you should read this thread for that road.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=54423


Thanks for the link, TW. I'll be sure not to cut any locks or pull down any fences now that I know I would be prosecuted.