BajaNomad - Scorpion Bay East Road

Scorpion Bay East Road

ssomma - 9-13-2012 at 01:17 PM

Hi all!

I'm planning on heading to Scorpion Bay in early October and was wondering about the East Road (taking the turnoff for San Isidro and driving in that way). I drive a little 4wd Ford Ranger. All stock, nothing fancy. How's the road these days? It's my first time to Scorpion Bay, though I've driven the truck to El Cardon, and similar areas and been fine. I hear the North road to Scorpion is not great these days with all the rain, so was thinking the East Road might be a better option without having to go all the way around via the South Road. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks so much!

-Shea

805gregg - 9-13-2012 at 05:20 PM

Don't do it, I've seen reports by adventure motorcyclist that had a tough time on that bad road. Just take the south road.

David K - 9-13-2012 at 05:29 PM

He is talking about the graded, government road from below Bahia Concepcion across... not the mountain road from Mulege via San Miguel, if you were thinking that?

LaTijereta - 9-13-2012 at 05:33 PM

The East road should be open to Baja 1000 pre-run traffic around 1st part of October..Expect some traffic heading eastbound...
There maybe some road reports over on the Offroad Race forms.. :cool:

desertcpl - 9-13-2012 at 05:35 PM

thats a caution, if they are pre running, you would be going against the grain so to speak, not a good idea

Ateo - 9-13-2012 at 05:55 PM

I did the East Road in 2007 with a non 4 X 4 F150. It was a beautiful road, but I didn't pass one person the whole time till La Purisima. Be prepared and have supplies.

At that time, the general consensus was that road was a real piece of crap. Many people at S-Bay were surprised I made it in that way. I found the road to be rough, rocky and beautiful. It wasn't anything different than your average poor Baja road, except for the first incline that had some real crappy areas, next to a cliff that would drop off 35 feet. I hauled ass up it, stressing I wouldn't make it, but I did. When I got to the top I realized that if I would've lost traction and slipped to the right, my whole family and I would've been launched off the cliff to serious injury/death.

Lots of volcanic rock. Desolate landscapes. Great views. Some areas look like your driving on Mars.

My opinion is if your adventurous and have a fit 4X4 you should be fine, unless they're pre-running for the 1000. Although having said that, there'd be more people to rescue you with pre-running in the area.

Make sure you stop at the mesa before you enter La Purisima and take a few photos. The view is impeccable.

You can always turn around.

Other option is the salt flats instead of the North Road.

Good luck.

ssomma - 9-14-2012 at 12:36 PM

So it sounds like the North Road is the better option? I was already thinking of staying a few days in Abreojos at the start of the trip (got great surf there a few years ago), so heading to the North Road/ Salt flats would be easy from there, correct? About how long is it from Abre to Scorpion Bay via this route? Anything I should be aware/ wary of along the way?

David K - 9-14-2012 at 12:43 PM

Yes... high tide or recent rain!

BFS - 9-14-2012 at 02:07 PM

Also beginners on Sup's and grumpy longboarders...

vgabndo - 9-14-2012 at 03:24 PM

Abreojos to Scorpion Bay you'll have to backtrack and go to San Ignacio. You'll lose pavement a few miles west of San Ignacio. I recall the conditions a couple years ago being marginally better, in my rig, between SI and the whale camps than between Asuncion and La Bocana. I recall less 'world class' washboard. Have fun!

Anyone have any idea what the gradient is on that one little up-hill going SW before the pavement ends? Steep!

David K - 9-14-2012 at 03:41 PM

You are talking about the pavement heading to Laguna San Ignacio from downtown San Ignacio? What was the last report, about 20 km. paved?

ssomma - 9-15-2012 at 10:25 PM

About how long from Abre to San Juanico via the San Ignacio route?

Mula - 9-16-2012 at 06:23 AM

The road from Laguna San Ignacio to San Juanico is horrible.

And now with the high water from the Kristy storm and tides, the flats should be mushy.

Dangerous this time of year in my mind.

to correct spelling:

[Edited on 9-16-2012 by Mula]

Ateo - 9-16-2012 at 12:13 PM

By the looks of the comments in this thread it would seem impossible to get into S-Bay........ :lol:

People travel all roads in and out of S-Bay every day (except for maybe the East Road).

Just go and find your way.

Ateo - 9-16-2012 at 01:51 PM

Here's some East Road pictures:

ssomma - 9-18-2012 at 09:15 AM

WOW! that looks beautiful! How long from the highway to SB via the east road? Anyone done it this summer?

woody with a view - 9-18-2012 at 05:09 PM

used to be about 2.5 hours. just do it and report back. if we don't here from you someone may send out a rescue party.....

edit: after the 16+ hours from the border you will arrive, hopefully in one piece, only to find 359 other people, dogs, kids, atv's and all sorts of flotsam and jetsam eagerly awaiting you setting up camp between them. They really dig if you set up after 11pm with your stereo cranking.

I'd rather get it to myself and smaller than pumping and 250 guys in the water.

notice the empty campsites?

[Edited on 9-19-2012 by woody with a view]

ssomma - 9-18-2012 at 05:29 PM

small and alone is always preferred

how are the crowds early oct? hopefully less than "peak" season...

BigWooo - 9-18-2012 at 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ssomma
small and alone is always preferred

how are the crowds early oct? hopefully less than "peak" season...

It's always peak season nowadays. Currently at 6:30 pm September 18th, it's barely knee high, the wind is blowing dust at 25 mph, and there are 34 people sitting in a pack at the tip of 2nd.

ssomma - 9-19-2012 at 12:45 PM

Hhahah, you all are a really encouraging bunch! Impossible to get to, dangerous, and crowded when I finally get there... seems like I should just cancel the trip

The big area, across, and up... East and North road

David K - 9-19-2012 at 02:35 PM

Since the above map was made, new paved roads have been added!

To San Juanico:

Map copied from government billboard map, actual new road between San Gregorio and Las Barrancas further inland. See Google Earth.

Also from Loreto to San Javier and from Ejido Francisco Villa to San Jose Comondu. Both are nearly completed at last report.

The Real Skinny

The Sculpin - 9-19-2012 at 03:06 PM

The secret to getting the most out of your Scorpion Bay trip is to not expect to surf! For a destination spot this place is very f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-ickle!!! I have been there many, many times and I've caught it double overhead once, overhead twice, head high 4 times, and knee high about 76,472 times. OK, slight exaggeration, but I think you get the point. Now that said, this place has one of the best knee-high waves in the world. That's why you have the crowds! So bring a nice noserider, a fish, and a 6'1" in case it gets big (yea right..). Also bring mask, snorkel and fins, a sling, an abalone iron (don't tell ANYONE about that) and a nice pair of bug gloves (don't tell ANYONE about that either). You'll need a good surf fishing kit for the estuary. When you go out there, bring your 6'1" - sometimes its shocking what's breaking over there! Bring lots and lots of shade, windscreens, sand bags (empty, of course) and good rope. Also some of that cheezy fake grass stuff - and sun showers - there's no reason to wait in line for the showers unless you want to spend all your cash on margs. As for which road in? It really doesn't matter - if you don't break down at least once it's not a real baja trip so get it over quick. I would shy away from the east road if you have a trailer. Unless you have alot of time i would pick either Abre or Scorp, not both. Both can be quite hellish at the wrong time and you don't want to get caught twice. If you're hankering for a 2nd spot do Scorp and then Canejo. If Canejo ain't doing it the east cape is only half day away, and besides, that's where you really wanted to go anyway. When you get there you can tell everyone that, yea, Scorp was head high! They'll know you're lying but they'll give you a cold ballena anyway........hope you have a nice trip! :coolup:

Sunman - 9-19-2012 at 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Sculpin
The secret to getting the most out of your Scorpion Bay trip is to not expect to surf! For a destination spot this place is very f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-ickle!!! I have been there many, many times and I've caught it double overhead once, overhead twice, head high 4 times, and knee high about 76,472 times. OK, slight exaggeration, but I think you get the point. Now that said, this place has one of the best knee-high waves in the world. That's why you have the crowds! So bring a nice noserider, a fish, and a 6'1" in case it gets big (yea right..). Also bring mask, snorkel and fins, a sling, an abalone iron (don't tell ANYONE about that) and a nice pair of bug gloves (don't tell ANYONE about that either). You'll need a good surf fishing kit for the estuary. When you go out there, bring your 6'1" - sometimes its shocking what's breaking over there! Bring lots and lots of shade, windscreens, sand bags (empty, of course) and good rope. Also some of that cheezy fake grass stuff - and sun showers - there's no reason to wait in line for the showers unless you want to spend all your cash on margs. As for which road in? It really doesn't matter - if you don't break down at least once it's not a real baja trip so get it over quick. I would shy away from the east road if you have a trailer. Unless you have alot of time i would pick either Abre or Scorp, not both. Both can be quite hellish at the wrong time and you don't want to get caught twice. If you're hankering for a 2nd spot do Scorp and then Canejo. If Canejo ain't doing it the east cape is only half day away, and besides, that's where you really wanted to go anyway. When you get there you can tell everyone that, yea, Scorp was head high! They'll know you're lying but they'll give you a cold ballena anyway........hope you have a nice trip! :coolup:

LOL!!

BFS - 9-20-2012 at 03:21 PM

An East Cape local buying a stranger a ballena? Yeah, that is funny.
Maps? Surf itineraries?
If we could just stick to the question, the world would be a much better place...

[Edited on 9-21-2012 by BFS]

woody with a view - 9-20-2012 at 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BFS
An East Cape local buying a stranger a ballena? Yeah, that is funny.
Maps? Surf itineraries?
If we could just stick the question, the world would be a much better place...

ssomma - 9-26-2012 at 05:14 PM

HA! Love how there are two very distinct groups on this site, the "sharers" and "scowlers"... kinda reminds me of my local lineup

MMc - 9-27-2012 at 11:12 AM

Some of us choose who we share with. I have made notes on lots of maps for people. I carry maps just for that reason. Posting on a website that thousands of hits a day just doesn't seem like a good idea to some of us. It's getting hard to adventure with a "capital A" when it comes to Baja. Having said that, this place has little adventure left at all.

ssomma - 9-28-2012 at 01:53 PM

@MMc

I hear you there.. That said, each of the previous (only 4, but still...) Baja ventures I've been on has had it's share of adventure even with a little research done beforehand.

I'm extremely appreciative to those who have shared a bit of knowledge along the way though, to help those adventures be non-trip-ending

Ateo - 9-28-2012 at 02:23 PM

Ah hell, just be happy we're alive!! Floating on a rock orbiting a star.......finding waves.........eating food. It's great to be alive!

MMc - 9-28-2012 at 03:07 PM

ssomma, Check you u2u box. (Upper right corner) We should talk.
Ateo. I am thankful everyday!!!!!
MMc

woody with a view - 9-28-2012 at 04:05 PM

Every day above ground is a good day! When the surf is pumping it's better. When you get it to yourself it is best, but who's counting, eh? :biggrin:

GregJackson - 10-5-2012 at 02:44 PM

I have used the east road through San Isidro and La Purisma twice during the last 5 weeks without any problem. There were a few rough spots due to all the rain this summer but any vehicle with a reasonalble amount of clearance will make it. It's a lot quicker than going all the way down to Insergentes and coming back north.

KurtG - 10-5-2012 at 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GregJackson
I have used the east road through San Isidro and La Purisma twice during the last 5 weeks without any problem. There were a few rough spots due to all the rain this summer but any vehicle with a reasonalble amount of clearance will make it. It's a lot quicker than going all the way down to Insergentes and coming back north.

And a whole lot prettier. If the sun is low and at your back the colors of the cardons and the red volcanic rock are spectacular. With the recent rains the wildflowers should be also.

David K - 10-5-2012 at 11:22 PM

Remember, the Baja 1000 is using the east road this year and pre-running goes from now until the race in mid-November. Now the racers know they are using rural 'public' roads and are not supposed to pre-run at race speeds... but boys will be boys...