BajaNomad - #5 hywy south to San Felipe and on to Mex #1

#5 hywy south to San Felipe and on to Mex #1

wesleyj - 10-6-2013 at 05:19 AM

Any reports on condition of road (Hywy 5) south via San Felipe to join Mex 1 at Laguna Chapala???

Santiago - 10-6-2013 at 06:44 AM

Lots of previous threads on this:
1. San Felipe to Puertecitos - older pavement with lots of vados and whoo-de-dos.
2. Brand new road and pavement to just north of Papa Fernandez - we're talking 60mph plus here.
3. 20-25 miles of straight washboard to Coco's. Slow or 45-50mph, your call.
4. Rocky road, no marshmellows, from Coco's to Hyway 1. Solid hour to 1.5 hours. If towing, slower.

nbacc - 10-6-2013 at 08:14 AM

How about from Mexicali to SF, Any change in the last few weeks? How much off hwy driving? Nancy

David K - 10-6-2013 at 08:21 AM

There was like a 2 mile final section of widening mentioned a short while back... Near La Ventana...

Riom - 10-6-2013 at 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nbacc
How about from Mexicali to SF, Any change in the last few weeks? How much off hwy driving?

A couple of weeks ago there were 5 bridges being rebuilt/improved (north of La Ventana), each had a short dirt detour. Work was progressing fast.

Plus there are lengthy dirt detours where the final stretch of road is being replaced south of La Ventana, I'd expect that to take a few months more.

All the detours are well graded, but watch out for sharp drop offs from the pavement to some of the detours around the bridges.

nbacc - 10-6-2013 at 12:12 PM

thanks!!!!!!!!!! Will be headed down to Sf in the next week or so, Nancy

via San Felipe to Mex 1

wesleyj - 10-7-2013 at 06:58 AM

Thx for comments -- 1st trip on this route -- always Mex 1 since 1996 -- it's time to look at another route -- I guess there is still a fair amount of traffic if any breakdowns occur ??

bajabuddha - 10-7-2013 at 07:44 AM

Wes,
If you're hauling any kind of camper or trailer behind you, i strongly suggest you don't try the grade from Gonzaga to Laguna Chapala. For years the whole road has been nicknamed "the Road From Hell"... for a reason. Since the construction of the new highway, you have 50 miles of gorgeous scenery, impressive road cuts, and smooth sailing to Gonzaga (watch out for rockfalls that happen almost daily).

However, the road up to Hwy 1 is still 35 miles of steel-breaking, screw-popping, dish-rattling washboards, wash-outs and holes. I've driven it 3 times in the last year; it's fine if you're just in a pick-up with the tires down to 25-30 lbs pressure, but i DO NOT recommend any kind of tow-trailer behind. I went against my better judgement and pulled my 5th wheel up it, tires down all the way around, and took a full SIX HOURS to drive 35 miles, hubs in and 4wd up the grades SLOWLY, and still found a broken spring shackle at Chapala, had to limp into BOLA Jct. to get it welded. I had one guy stop me as i was entering the upper grade and ask me if i really wanted to do this, and told him it's ok, been twice before (but was only in my pickup). I'm still kicking myself for not doing the Ensenada Loop.

A friend did it twice with his Jayco, 1st trip broke a spring, 2nd trip broke a weld on a rear carrier that cost him his inflatable boat later on. So, if you do decide to try it, do all the tricks and good luck. I'm going back down Hwy 1 next week. When and IF they ever do the upper stretch it'll cut a day's travel time off for me, but until then, Tecate here i come. Far's the rumor mill, they're still saying "oh yeah, next year they'll finish it". I've been hearing that rumor since the 90's, and they just got to Gonzaga. I'm not gonna hold my breath for the next stretch; Mexican Standard Time (mañana) does not mean tomorrow, it just means ''not today''. Happy trails!

bkbend - 10-7-2013 at 07:56 AM

I drove it twice last winter and while I wouldn't call it a fair amount of traffic, we met a half a dozen rigs going the other way on the gravel portion and three or four went by in the half hour we were stopped at Coco's. You wouldn't be sitting long if you broke down and nobody's whizzing by at 60mph like on hwy 1.

bajabuddha - 10-7-2013 at 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bkbend
I drove it twice last winter and while I wouldn't call it a fair amount of traffic, we met a half a dozen rigs going the other way on the gravel portion and three or four went by in the half hour we were stopped at Coco's. You wouldn't be sitting long if you broke down and nobody's whizzing by at 60mph like on hwy 1.

Very true, BK, but it's a looooonnng way for parts, either way; Guerrero or Sand Flippy, and the nearest welder is BOLA jct south of Chapala; there's only a llantera there.

But as they say, ya gotta go to know...

TMW - 10-7-2013 at 09:46 AM

This is what happens when towing a trailer south of Gonzaga.

Left side frame rail.

Right side frame rail.

[Edited on 10-7-2013 by TW]

bufeo - 10-7-2013 at 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
Wes,
If you're hauling any kind of camper or trailer behind you, i strongly suggest you don't try the grade from Gonzaga to Laguna Chapala.... Happy trails!

It really depends on the type of "camper or trailer". We've towed our Horizon (Adventure Trailer) over that road twice, including side trips out to the east coast from Hwy 1 to San Francisquito and north to Bahia de Los Angeles. Otherwise, for 'normal' travel trailers I agree with The Buddha.

Allen R

#5 SF to Hywy #1

wesleyj - 10-8-2013 at 08:55 AM

Tks for the repies and info. We will not be towing. Only 1 F150 and 1 Subaru wagon which will require watching clearance. WE live/travel dirt south of Cabo Pulmo all winter and have varying depths of washboard and washout so we expect some difficulty. Will probably give it a "slow" go anyway. San Felipe --- any kind of accomdation that allows 2 dogs --- we like clean --- amenities optional.

bonanza bucko - 10-8-2013 at 09:00 AM

Some of us don't get our &%^$ off over the Baja 1000 because it wrecks the road even more than it was wrecked and the Mexican Gummint, naturally, doesn't use the money SCORE pays them for the damage to fix it. So the users of the road pay...naturally.

So maybe someone could tell me when the damned thing is so we can avoid driving down there that weekend,
BB:-(

David K - 10-8-2013 at 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bonanza bucko
Some of us don't get our &%^$ off over the Baja 1000 because it wrecks the road even more than it was wrecked and the Mexican Gummint, naturally, doesn't use the money SCORE pays them for the damage to fix it. So the users of the road pay...naturally.

So maybe someone could tell me when the damned thing is so we can avoid driving down there that weekend,
BB:-(

See the thread: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=68481

Race Days Nov. 14, 15, 2013

willardguy - 10-8-2013 at 11:20 AM

Quote:

theres no reason those 800 horsepower behemoths couldnt drag a blade behind em! :lol:

tripledigitken - 10-8-2013 at 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wesleyj
.... Only 1 F150 and 1 Subaru wagon which will require watching clearance....

We made the drive last Jan in our Subaru Outback and clearance was never an issue. We do take it slow in the rocky sections though.

by the way......

2013 F150 6.5' bed 4x4 ground clearance 8.8"

2013 Subaru Outback ground clearance 8.7"

David K - 10-8-2013 at 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

Originally posted by wesleyj
.... Only 1 F150 and 1 Subaru wagon which will require watching clearance....

Subaru sure has a good GC number... more than when they had 13" tires back when I had them! I still got to Gonzaga Bay from Puertecitos in 1979, however! My Tacoma is easier to off road in, 9.75" min. GC with 32" tires.

rts551 - 10-8-2013 at 06:37 PM

Is that a Toyota? Tacoma?.... guess that will never be seen in an Advertizement.

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
This is what happens when towing a trailer south of Gonzaga.

Left side frame rail.

Right side frame rail.

[Edited on 10-7-2013 by TW]

David K - 10-8-2013 at 09:52 PM

Non-factory suspension modification/ towing over the limit/ exceeding cargo limit would be three possibilities.

I have made plenty of trips on the Gonzaga road with all three of my Tacomas... at speed, loaded heavily, never an issue WITH ANYTHING.

TMW - 10-9-2013 at 02:16 PM

This was the trailer he was towing. Look how my rear is sagging down and I've got an add a leaf. I think his tongue was too heavy. He said he hit the dips pretty hard too south of San Felipe cause he didn't know about them.

David K - 10-9-2013 at 06:24 PM

:lol:

I could only guess how he hit this, pulling that...

to crack a Toyota frame!

:light:

NinoPerdido - 10-11-2013 at 05:02 PM

Drove MX Hwy 5 south from Mexicali to San Felipe and back last weekend. Just wanted to confirm what has already been reported above. Road is in generally good condition, with construction actively ongoing in a half-dozen spots where bridges are being reinforced. Dirt desviaciones, one of which is fairly long, go around the construction areas. Should be no trouble.

Certainly, nothing you'll remember after the trip south from Gonzaga to Chapala.

bryanmckenzie - 10-26-2013 at 08:50 AM

These photos and videos are from April 2012, Bahia Gonzaga to Coco's Corner to Lagua Chapala junction.

Gonzaga to Cocos: April 2012 Photo and Video Reconaissance

Cocos to Chapala: April 2012 Photo and Video Reconaissance

I'm told by David K that the road from el Huerfanito to Bahia Gonzaga is now all pavement. I imagine that the road south of Gozaga has deteriorated even more during that time --- not better. I'd bet that the final 30 miles of construction are still 3-5 years off, as I saw no survey markers, no clearing, etc. in April 2012 heading southbound in a 2WD VW Jetta.

(high-resolution videos available upon request)

[Edited on 2013-10-26 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2013-10-26 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2013-10-26 by bryanmckenzie]

rts551 - 10-26-2013 at 08:54 AM

It will be worse after this years 1000, unless (ha) it gets graded.

PaulW - 10-30-2013 at 07:04 AM

Those cracks on the Tacoma look like they have been there for quite a while. The truck took a lot of abuse with that big trailer.
If I drove one of those trucks I will be checking regularly. Especially after a trip south of SF.
After all a Taco is a pretty light duty rig. The big GMC is obviously more suited after it has stronger overloads added.
My tow rig is an F350. It gets terrible mileage, but does not have towing damage.

Driving Das Vados in Das Volkswagen in April 2012

bryanmckenzie - 10-30-2013 at 11:25 AM

Driving Das Vados in Das Volkswagen in April 2012 Southbound WMV low-res format

Bajajorge - 10-30-2013 at 12:05 PM

I drove Hwy5, Mexicali to San Felipe last Sunday. Short detours that are much better than the detours of the past couple of years.

Edguero - 10-30-2013 at 06:03 PM

Drove the road to puertecitos last week, lots of vados filled in, "oh siht" 1&2 included, still have the sneaker ones.
Left my driveway in Punta Final at 11:15 got home in Oceanside 6:15, 7 hours with the border at Tecate, yup roads that good.

Ken Cooke - 10-30-2013 at 07:49 PM

"Oh what a feeling!" :lol:

David K - 10-31-2013 at 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
"Oh what a feeling!" :lol:

That's the right attitude Ken... you will also be in a Toyota someday! (Just like me and a bunch of other former Jeep owners) Neal Johns doesn't give bad advice! :light:

freediverbrian - 11-9-2013 at 05:48 PM

Got back today from gonzaga today the road crews are starting to survey the next section of road and equipment is working starting to cut the new road. They need to go back and fix the bridge at papas wash the heavy rains last summer tore the concrete skirt off the south side of bridge. the bridge that took one year to build took a hit

[Edited on 11-10-2013 by freediverbrian]