Planning a trip to whale watch in March 2014... Would like to start the trip from my place south of San Felipe and head out from there. I hear mixed
reviews on the road... We will be in a truck, but it is not 4 WD ... I'm used to the washboard roads etc. but is it doable without 4 WD ?Pacifico - 5-8-2013 at 01:36 PM
That's a ways away, a lot of things can change. As of right now, it is doable in a 2wd.chuckie - 5-8-2013 at 02:56 PM
By 2014, it will be all paved, and the new Pemex/convenience store/rest stop will be in. No worries mate!David K - 5-8-2013 at 05:20 PM
The road from Gonzaga to Highway 1 at Chapala (35 miles) is a GRADED dirt highway, has been for almost 20 years... no 4WD needed, unless it is raining
and you have bald tires!
The road from the Gonzaga Bay Pemex (Alfonsina's road) south to Highway 1:
View from Highway 1 towards Gonzaga:
[Edited on 5-9-2013 by David K]TMW - 5-8-2013 at 05:31 PM
18 wheel tractor trailers are driving it so for you it is a piece of cake. If you feel overwhelmed stop at Coco's and have a beer or coke and buy a T
shirt.Marc - 5-8-2013 at 06:53 PM
No problemoPaulclark - 5-8-2013 at 08:40 PM
I drove it twice last week chasing the NORRA race. It is okay to Cocos Corner and then very rough to Lake Chapala. Rocky with no fine gravel, but 2
wheel drive, just slow going. Count on 2 to 2 1/2 hours and you will be fine, but it is not very forgiving. There was a transport truck on the road,
but he was taking his time and probably took 3 to 4 hours.brewer - 5-10-2013 at 01:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
18 wheel tractor trailers are driving it so for you it is a piece of cake. If you feel overwhelmed stop at Coco's and have a beer or coke and buy a T
shirt.
The road is fine. No hurry, no worry.mulegemichael - 5-10-2013 at 05:37 PM
just drove it a coupla weeks ago and it's fine...did it in a 4 runner but could have done it in a v dub beetle....and hey david, do you have any more
pics of your car???...sheesh!Percebusue - 5-10-2013 at 09:47 PM
Thanks for all the info. Some bad 411 got me concerned. I love this Baja Nomad forum, so glad to be able to get info. from people who really know. :-)David K - 5-10-2013 at 09:52 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Percebusue
Thanks for all the info. Some bad 411 got me concerned. I love this Baja Nomad forum, so glad to be able to get info. from people who really know. :-)
Welcome to Nomad... our favorite camp is just south of Percebu, out on Shell Island!David K - 5-10-2013 at 09:54 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
....and hey david, do you have any more pics of your car???...sheesh!
Hey Michael, it's a truck... and it is in some of the photos to show the road in question... no other reason (Toyota doesn't pay me to show it)!
LOLredhilltown - 5-11-2013 at 12:05 AM
If you have a way to air back up I would still take some air out of your tires for this road...it may be "graded" but that can change day to day and
it still ain't no picnic.
There is/was a great llantera at La Chapala and they can air you back up but I hate to recommend anything as once again, things change in Baja!David K - 5-11-2013 at 12:30 AM
If 32 psi is normal for paved roads with your tire, try 22 psi for unpaved roads, and if you have a wide sandy arroyo to cross or need to go down the
beach, then drop another 10 pounds to 12 psi. to cross easily and not get stuck.
32-22-12 rule.
By playing and testing with your specific tire, you can dial it to what works best.
My Hankook Dynapro ATMs are 34-24-14.
Mud/snow/ 3 ply sidewall tires may be 45 psi Highway, but need to be dropped to 10 psi for the beach! Aggressive tread and stiff sidewalls are no
friend to beach driving.
[Edited on 5-11-2013 by David K]TMW - 5-11-2013 at 10:23 AM
The tire guy is straight across the hwy when you come out from Gonzaga via Cocos. Speaks english. I usually stop by just to chat a bit when I'm near
by. We had him do a gas pit for a race car in the NORRA race recently.David K - 5-11-2013 at 10:37 AM
There is also Gonzaga Bay tire repair (and used tire sales) behind the Rancho Grande market (across from the Gonzaga Pemex). Bought a spare in 2003
there and had a puncture patched in 2012, at the same place.mulegemichael - 5-11-2013 at 11:41 AM
we took our 45# toyos down to 20# and it was smooth sailing...just a mile in northbound and our teeth were rattling before we aired down...oh, and hey
dk, i was just kidding about your car/truck.......and on another note regarding airing down; we bought a multipurpose unit called a "dominator 1000"
from northern tool and it stays in our toyota ALL the time...has both ac and dc plugins, a usb plugin, a compressor, a huge amp battery pack for
starting rigs, and much more..i've never seen anything like it, really...check it out online and you'll be impressed!David K - 5-11-2013 at 12:20 PM
Awesome!805gregg - 5-13-2013 at 07:03 PM
If you can do it in a Toyota you can do it in a limoBajaRat - 5-15-2013 at 10:06 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
By 2014, it will be all paved, and the new Pemex/convenience store/rest stop will be in. No worries mate!
Chuckie I don't think they will be done with the bridge at Gonzaga by 2014 let alone the mountain passes north of Chapala. We saw surveyors in the
passes last Dec. and their marks in April........... That section is prob a long way from being paved IMHO.
Sue, just take your time there are some larger rocks to avoid and some wash out holes........... pretty drive, worth the trip.
