BajaNomad - Fastest way to L Chapala from Calexico?

Fastest way to L Chapala from Calexico?

philodog - 12-29-2011 at 10:41 PM

If I started in Calexico would it be a faster drive time to go south on the Gulf side thru Puertocitos or to go west on I-8, and cross at Tecate or TJ? And where in Mexicali do you get your FMM? I tried searching the archives with no luck. Thanks!

redhilltown - 12-29-2011 at 11:53 PM

Wow...kind of a loaded question! Are you actually going TO Chapala? That would be fine but most people pass THROUGH it going somewhere else. And where that somewhere else is might dictate the responses. If you don't have an suv, truck, or something sturdy even with the new road you don't want to go the Puertecitos route as there is still a chunk of somewhat nasty dirt road past five islands all the way out. I would personally for SURE go that way with the right vehicle.

Last time I got my tourist card at Mexicali the office was on the left as you drove in and you park on the right.

David K - 12-30-2011 at 09:17 AM

The San Felipe to Puertecitos 52 mile highway is not for high speed because of many short, steep dips, poorly marked that will keep you under 50 mph...

The newest section from Puertecitos towards Gonzaga is a high speed highway... until pavement ends in about 32 miles... You have about 50 dirt miles to Laguna Chapala on Hwy. 1.

If you need all paved (with dirt detours for construction), then cross at Tecate and take the Ensenada highway.

durrelllrobert - 12-30-2011 at 10:18 AM

Fastest way to L Chapala
are you talking about Laguna de Chapala in Jalisco?

David K - 12-30-2011 at 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Fastest way to L Chapala
are you talking about Laguna de Chapala in Jalisco?

Quote:

Originally posted by philodog
If I started in Calexico would it be a faster drive time to go south on the Gulf side thru Puertocitos or to go west on I-8, and cross at Tecate or TJ? And where in Mexicali do you get your FMM? I tried searching the archives with no luck. Thanks!

Don't think he is Bob...?

durrelllrobert - 12-30-2011 at 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Fastest way to L Chapala
are you talking about Laguna de Chapala in Jalisco?

Quote:

Don't think he is Bob...?

Sorry, I just had no idea that there was also one in Baja

David K - 12-30-2011 at 12:13 PM

Laguna Chapala is a pretty famous Baja location... In the old days, the deep silt dust beds were perhaps the worst part of the drive to La Paz, followed by the high speed dry lake bed to blow some dust off. Mama Espinoza's brother Arturo owned Rancho Chapala... as well as many mine claims in the region.

On maps...

[Edited on 12-30-2011 by David K]

redhilltown - 12-30-2011 at 12:24 PM

Very interesting DK! About 15 years ago my buddy and I were coming out from Gonzaga and got a flat on the notorious "sharp rock" section. I had the spare of course but I HATE to drive in Baja very long without fixing it. We came up the house at Laguna Chapala in the dark of night (after the old military check point stop) and softly called out if anyone was around to possibly help fix a flat. Sure enough, the lights popped on, the compressor cranked up and a very nice guy and his son fixed it for $5.00. We of course gave him $10.00 which he balked at. It was good ol Mexican hospitality at its best.

goldhuntress - 12-30-2011 at 12:58 PM

Once we stopped and parked off the road and walked down to the "dry" lake bed to check it out and I found an arrowhead! I've also gone out there and looked for meteorites but didn't find one. :biggrin:

durrelllrobert - 12-30-2011 at 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Laguna Chapala is a pretty famous Baja location... In the old days, the deep silt dust beds were perhaps the worst part of the drive to La Paz, followed by the high speed dry lake bed to blow some dust off. Mama Espinoza's brother Arturo owned Rancho Chapala... as well as many mine claims in the region.

On maps...

[Edited on 12-30-2011 by David K]

Oh, it's not a lake. I've been past it many times and didn't realize it was LAGUNA Chapala..

Sandlefoot - 12-30-2011 at 01:49 PM

FYI

The 52 miles past San Felipe is not a fast road, if you want to live!!! There are several Vado's that are very sharp, drop fast going in and a sharp angle coming out that will launch you if you are not paying attention. If you do not know the road, 55 to 60 and be very ready to hit the brakes if one of these pops up. There is one stretch about 3 miles north of Puertecitos that there are five of these.

Now the 15 miles of new road on south of Puetrecitos is a very well built road and flat surface, wide nice piece of road. The only problem is they made the cuts very steep, and there are rocks down on the road in the cuts. They other day when we came through there were rocks that were difficult to see, although they were large enough to hurt, because they were in the shadows of the cut. Just pay attention and you will do fine!!!!

tripledigitken - 12-30-2011 at 02:41 PM

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Oh, it's not a lake. I've been past it many times and didn't realize it was LAGUNA Chapala..

In a wet year it looks like this.................2/10

David K - 12-30-2011 at 04:48 PM

Yup, for a lake to be dry, it first needs to be wet!

In Baja, 'Laguna' is used both for lagoon and for 'seasonal' lakes that are often dry or just muddy (Laguna Hanson, Laguna Salada, Laguna Chapala...

Photos taken May, 2010 by BajaTripper at Laguna Chapala:

philodog - 12-30-2011 at 05:16 PM

Why Laguna Chapala? I thought it might be a nice place for a family vacation. Rent a lakeside home, kids can play on the beach all day, a little bass fishing from the dock. I`m sure there`s a decent golf course nearby. Anybody got a recommendation for a good vacation rental agency?

David K - 12-30-2011 at 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by philodog
Why Laguna Chapala? I thought it might be a nice place for a family vacation. Rent a lakeside home, kids can play on the beach all day, a little bass fishing from the dock. I`m sure there`s a decent golf course nearby. Anybody got a recommendation for a good vacation rental agency?

You'll fit right in here, welcome!

philodog - 12-30-2011 at 05:18 PM

:lol:

Just kidding! Laguna Chapala obviously because it`s where both routes meet. I`ll rephrase the question to get rid of any ambiguity: Say two experienced Baja explorers left Calexico at the same time in identical 4x4 pickups. One crosses at Mexicali and follows the Gulf route, the other goes west on I-8 and crosses at Tecate and takes the coast route. Barring any breakdowns or unusual delays which person will reach Laguna Chapala first assuming both drive at prudent speeds for the prevailing conditions?

I did the Gulf route 20 years ago, definitely not a shortcut then but was wondering if the new pavement has evened things up.

David K - 12-30-2011 at 05:59 PM

In 4x4 trucks (4WD not needed)... now, I would go the Gulf route... much shorter distance, less city hassles (no Ensenada or San Quintin valley traffic delays). If you have a trailer or a street only vehicle, then continue to Hwy. 1 via Tecate and Hwy. 3.

philodog - 12-30-2011 at 06:57 PM

Thanks, that was the kind of answer I was looking for.

David K - 12-30-2011 at 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by philodog
Thanks, that was the kind of answer I was looking for.

Just take it easy... no Baja 1000 stuff on the graded/ washboard road... 50 miles can be done in ~2 hours safely... 3 with stops like at Coco's Corner. Maybe drop tire pressure to 25 psi... less rough/ less punctures if rubber can give a bit!

David K - 12-30-2011 at 07:18 PM

Some road photos:

Old style highway San Felipe to Puertecitos

New, high speed highway, south of Puertecitos

Nearing El Huerfanito

Regraded road along new road construction.

North of Gonzaga, 2010

Gonzaga to Coco's

Coco's Corner

Great place to stop for a Pacifico!

Coco's to Chapala

Hwy. 1 near Cataviña

philodog - 12-30-2011 at 07:46 PM

Thanks David. My tires go down to 18 as soon as I get off pavement. I can`t figure out why people are so worried about letting air out of their tires on dirt roads. It`s feels like driving on down pillows.

durrelllrobert - 12-31-2011 at 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by philodog
Thanks David. My tires go down to 18 as soon as I get off pavement.

gay tires? :lol:

redhilltown - 1-2-2012 at 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by philodog
Thanks David. My tires go down to 18 as soon as I get off pavement.

gay tires? :lol:

Call me crazy but I don't get the joke?

L chapala

captkw - 1-2-2012 at 02:43 AM

hola,usally, when someone ask,s the fastest,, road in baja/mex I take a step back,look at their car/truck then the tire's and walk away real fast.. talking to soon to be dead people ,,leave's me cold..Ive seen too many wreck's,and getting their in 3 min. faster dosn't cut it for me,,, and you can haul ass for hour'sand stop for a second to get a taco and the car that you passed,,way,way back.. cruises past.. and when you are towiing,,never mind,,,where's my burro??
:cool:

[Edited on 1-2-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 1-2-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 1-2-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 1-2-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 1-2-2012 by captkw]

Since you are going the Cortez route....

mcfez - 1-2-2012 at 09:13 AM

Puertocitos gas station is opened for business now. I would top off your tanks at that point. If the station is closed (it is from 2 to 4), go to the rear of the building and see if the employee is there, he will help you.........or go to the Puertocitos campground and ask for someone to such as Clara to open the station. Puertocitos campground is a block away.

The road is fine. It's a superior road to take .....due to the fantastic views and and rustic feel of Baja.

Take a day to stay at Gonzaga Bay. Good campgrounds, great motel and restaurant...and a gas station that is there.....but at times has no gas. Few times. The same applies here...go around the back and find the attendant.