BajaNomad

VIDEO: Coco's Corner to Laguna Chapala 25 April 2012

bryanmckenzie - 4-29-2012 at 09:45 PM

Contrary to some Nomad's' reports that this old road is now a "cake walk" for "any" vehicle, here is a brief (poor quality) video showing the actual road conditions (southbound), showing the 25 April 2012 --- miles between Coco's Corner & Laguna Chapala at Highway 1. Many photos also available north-to-south). I'll edit this post as I convert pics down to ~800 tp ~1000 pixels wide, per David K ... insert smiley face here.

I actually enjoyed staying with Coco for the night. He's a great host! In a pickup camper shell on the ground. And getting an early start. E-mail me if you want details. But the road quality was very spotty: "technical" driving over numerous rocky areas & sharp "lava" rock and washboard and large boulders and steep grades, blah, blah, blah --- I should NOT have been out here. Good off-road tires required; high clearance advised; suspension in good shape (mine was not as both front struts and back shocks had beed trashed in an earlier off-road adventure).

Short VIDEO Cocos to Laguna Chapala

(high-resolution video available upon request).

I was probably a silly Nomad fool for doing this solo. And in a "street" vehicle, at that. But, hey, to those of you that know me, I'm a "fool for adventure." Onward & offward to freezing temparatures in a magnificent piece of God's creation called Parque Nacional de San Pedro Martir. This is a HIDDEN GEM for Baja Nomads. Check it out!

But don't tell anyone <hehe>.

April 2012 TRIP MAP (clockwise)




[Edited on 2012-6-7 by bryanmckenzie]

CortezBlue - 4-29-2012 at 09:53 PM

I need some Dramamine to soothe mi tum tum

Great video

How many miles/hours from the end of the pavement to the paved road?

[Edited on 5-1-2012 by CortezBlue]

bryanmckenzie - 4-29-2012 at 10:05 PM

Quote:
Great video

How many miles/hours from the end of the pavement to the paved road?


Thanks. Toooooooo many. 38 total I stayed at Cocos and never made the pavement in 'one' day. Facts: 37 miles from Gonzaga to Hwy 1. Time depends on number of stops (peeing, pics, meetings, etc). My time leisurely & street vehicle: Gonzaga to Cocos: 3:15 hours, 23 miles. Cocos to Hwy 1 (serious rocky techno driving) was 13 miles and (written journal logs documenting all are available) was 2:30 hours.





































































[Edited on 2012-4-30 by bryanmckenzie]

redhilltown - 4-29-2012 at 11:34 PM

Good for you, good for Coco! Great pics and thanks. I've always loved seeing the "Caltrans de Coco" road warning signs. If coming in from Chapala you knew he was around.

Cypress - 4-30-2012 at 04:18 AM

bryanmckenzie, Thanks for the tour.;D

bbbob - 4-30-2012 at 08:06 AM

cool trip and pic,s I got to see that one day when cooler...How much air in the tires? Any parts fall off? thanks Bbbob

David K - 4-30-2012 at 09:08 AM

Nice photos!!:light:

David K - 4-30-2012 at 09:18 AM

Can you confirm the question Cortez asked, because if it is (as you posted above) 38 total miles from end of pavement to Hwy. 1 and Gonzaga to Hwy. 1 is 37 miles, that would mean pavement is just one mile from Gonzaga... (Papa Fernandez' rd.)??

Thanks for the video and photos Seņor McKenzie!

bryanmckenzie - 4-30-2012 at 08:01 PM

I maintain an extensive trip diary in addition to many photos and videos.

Odometer 111,581: Pete & Olivia Martina at Nacho's Camp (a.k.a. Huertefinos, Km 105)

Odometer 111,596 (Km 126 marker): end of pavement (see pics below)

Odometer ???,??? (I forgot to write it down): Papa Fernandez for late breakfast

Odometer 111,613: Alfonsinas for c-cktails

Odometer 111,641: Coco's Corner

Odometer 111,655: Laguna Chapala intersection


Pete & Olivia are doing well (so was the scorpion in the shower):







EOP photos:
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Can you confirm the question Cortez asked, because if it is (as you posted above) 38 total miles from end of pavement to Hwy. 1 and Gonzaga to Hwy. 1 is 37 miles, that would mean pavement is just one mile from Gonzaga... (Papa Fernandez' rd.)??

Thanks for the video and photos Seņor McKenzie!


[Edited on 2012-5-1 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2012-5-1 by bryanmckenzie]

David K - 4-30-2012 at 11:25 PM

OK from your odometer, End of Pavement to Alfonsina's Cantina: 17 miles.

Subtract 2 for the drive from the main road into Alfonsina's= 15 miles (end of Pavement to Gonzaga Pemex/ Rancho Grande store).

Subtract 3 for Papa Fernandez' Road = 12 miles from end of pavement to Gonzaga Bay's first entrance road.

It is 36 miles from the Gonzaga Pemex to Hwy. 1 at Chapala, so that plus 15 from your odometer, above = 51 unpaved Hwy. 5 miles (not 38)... That is good, I was hoping they would work too fast. :light::wow:

April 2012 TRIP MAP (clockwise)

bryanmckenzie - 6-6-2012 at 08:42 PM

April 2012 TRIP MAP (clockwise)