Wayno shares pics of Coco, Gonzaga Pavement, etc.

Just received photos from Wayno of BB Bait in Blythe...



Vados south of San Felipe being filled in (not all, yet... so keep your speed down until Puertecitos)!



New bridge just north of Papa Fernandez' turnoff.



End of Pavement, south side of new bridge... No new work south of here, road getting very rough from lack of grading.



Military Checkpoint south of Papa Fernandez' road.



Rancho Grande Bar



Coco



Coco's Quad

In my experience, if they built those "Texas crossings" (no culvert) correctly, they would last indefinitely and they would save the price (and maintenance) of a "culvert". But "texas crossings" are not often for "high-speed" roads, which none of us expect in Baja anyway------right???

If you remember, or have travelled the Imperial County section of Highway 78 between Ocotillo Wells and Highway 86 (southwest of the Salton Sea) you might have noticed that it has a half-dozen + "Texas Crossings" (no culverts) and they have lasted for years with minimal repair and much over-flooding, and the road is fairly 'high-speed'. There are examples of these 'texas crossings' all over the Mojave Desert and the Southwest USA deserts. Culverts, unless they are huge, are a real pain in the A-- to maintain in the desert, and they almost always plug-up and overflow in flash-flood conditions, often ruining the road bed above them.

Just my 2-cents.

Barry

It is a 2wd graded dirt road. 38 miles from the pavement to Chapala. Washboard surface to rough rocky surface so slow driving. Any car except low sportscars can get through. I would suggest no motorhomes or trailers until it is regraded or paved.

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A. In my experience, if they built those "Texas crossings" (no culvert) correctly, they would last indefinitely and they would save the price (and maintenance) of a "culvert". But "texas crossings" are not often for "high-speed" roads, which none of us expect in Baja anyway------right??? Barry

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Quote: Originally posted by cocoscabana We travel to Mulege every october, and are interested in travelling thru Gonzaga to Lake Chapala this year (we always go Mex1). Picture #4 shows a fairly level surface with rocks. How much worse than this does it get? Chevy dually, 4x4 with 11ft camper (fully loaded by the wife). We are familiar with Baja side roads, as we take an annual trip from San Ignacio thru El Datil down pacific coast to San Juanico. How does this compare to the Gonzaga road, in regard to the road surface? It is a 2wd graded dirt road. 38 miles from the pavement to Chapala. Washboard surface to rough rocky surface so slow driving. Any car except low sportscars can get through. I would suggest no motorhomes or trailers until it is regraded or paved.

now that the master has spoken..... forget the drama. if you can make the salt flats to SJ then this road is a dream!

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view Quote: Originally posted by David K Quote: Originally posted by cocoscabana We travel to Mulege every october, and are interested in travelling thru Gonzaga to Lake Chapala this year (we always go Mex1). Picture #4 shows a fairly level surface with rocks. How much worse than this does it get? Chevy dually, 4x4 with 11ft camper (fully loaded by the wife). We are familiar with Baja side roads, as we take an annual trip from San Ignacio thru El Datil down pacific coast to San Juanico. How does this compare to the Gonzaga road, in regard to the road surface? It is a 2wd graded dirt road. 38 miles from the pavement to Chapala. Washboard surface to rough rocky surface so slow driving. Any car except low sportscars can get through. I would suggest no motorhomes or trailers until it is regraded or paved. now that the master has spoken..... forget the drama. if you can make the salt flats to SJ then this road is a dream!

-------and "SJ" would be what???

----and if you mean by "master" one of the most Baja-educated individuals on the board, and the most helpful, then I heartily agree.

------what "drama"???

---by the way, I have never personally met DavidK.

Barry

cocoscabanas said something to the effect "we travel thru Datil to SAN JUANICO" = SJ... sorry if it wasn't clearer than your vision.

the master said, " I would suggest no motorhomes or trailers until it is regraded or paved." perhaps i read something into his post where he "SUGGESTS" a dually might want to heed his commands.

i know, i'm reading WAAAY too much into it.

"texas crossing?"

i have always called them "arizona crossings"

just my 4 cents!

p.s you can also call them a "concrete paved ford" and thereby avoid thinking about unpleasant places like arizona and texas

Some of the trucks are REAL big.



Fortunately, the pilot truck stopped us and the other vehicle before we entered the narrow mountain part of the road. We had to wait quite a while as they were REALLY slow, but we were really happy that we did not cross paths with them on the main highway.

Could someone post Maps of these places? (Dave K?)

Let me know if these help... Gonzaga Bay to Hwy. 1 via Coco's Corner:

thank you, the images helped...