BajaNomad

Getting to Canyon de Guadalupe from San Felipe

N2Baja - 10-15-2014 at 05:54 PM

Hello Everyone,

Is it possible to get to the hot springs in Canyon de Guadalupe from San Felipe without having to go all the way up to Hwy 2?

I seem to remember it mentioned a long time ago that there was a dirt road at about Km90-ish on Hwy 5 that cuts across Laguna Salada and approaches from the south.

We have a high clearance 4wd vehicle and love going offroad.

Btw, I win $5 if there is a (any) route from the south:spingrin:

PaulW - 10-15-2014 at 06:15 PM

Not recommended so soon after the rains.
The problem is getting from hwy 5 to the west where less mud is. Then you need to have the GPS track to follow.
Do not take a chance just take the drive to mx 2
PW

N2Baja - 10-15-2014 at 06:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PaulW
Not recommended so soon after the rains.
The problem is getting from hwy 5 to the west where less mud is. Then you need to have the GPS track to follow.
Do not take a chance just take the drive to mx 2
PW


So......you're saying there IS a track that approaches from the south? woo hoo!:bounce:

This isn't a trip we would be taking any time soon; you're right about it being too wet after all the rain. And I appreciate your concern and advice regarding the mud, etc. From your previous posts, it seems like you do a lot of offroading! Have you been out on this track? Anything more you can tell me?

p.s. I'm not a novice offroader, and I take the risks involved with going offroad (especially in baja) seriously. Just sayin;D

Route to Guadelupe Canyon

John M - 10-15-2014 at 06:51 PM

It is a long route. Basically go west from Highway 5 where the sign is to Tres Posos at the south end of the Salada; but before reaching Tres Posos you go northwest to Cohabuzzo Junction.

Tres Posos to Cohabuzzo likely to be either muddy or silty for quite some distance.

The route north from Cohabuzzo is pretty straightforward. Guadalupe Canyon is about 25 miles before you'd reach Highway 2.

It's a quite clear route in the Baja Almanac although Cohabuzzo isn't shown by that name. This is truly one of the most remote routes in Baja. A number of years ago two motorcyclists perished after running out of gasoline not far from Cohabuzzo.

If you have a GPS then there are waypoints available and probably even a GPS route map. I have no doubt folks on the Baja Nomad Board have and would share them.

John M

redhilltown - 10-15-2014 at 11:47 PM

John is right. It is doable or at ONE point, it WAS doable.

Just know what you are doing and be prepared.

David K - 10-16-2014 at 09:02 AM

I have a GPS road log in my web site... Did the Hwy. 5 to Guadalupe Canyon run many years ago... It will take you longer than if you go around, because of the Baja 1000 silt/ rough section between Laguna Salada and Cohabuzo Jcn.

This is arranged north to south, but I drove it south to north. Set your GPS map datum on NAD27 Mexico before entering these waypoints, then go back to WGS84 if you want.


Guadalupe Canyon Entrance: 32°09.40'/ 115°47.29'
Cohabuzo Jcn: 31°55.74'/ 115°36.22' (Turn left/ east for next 2 waypoints)
Ej. Saldana Road (S): 31°50.12'/ 115°19.47'
Hwy. 5 & Ej. Saldana Jcn: 31°51.75'/ 115°10.92'


Same question was asked last year: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=69431

and in 2005: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=14273


some comments: "We were coming to Guadalupe from San Felipe on this route and did not see another road going north/west from the Laguna Salada side... just the 'race course' which was the ugly 20 miles of whoops and Baja dust."


and in 2003: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=1865

Here was my comments then:

"Hi Andy, we drove that 'short cut' coming north from San Felipe, in Jan. '02. It would have been quicker to go to Mexicali and back down Laguna Salada!

If you just gotta do it, here's the scoop. I will reverse the details as you are going from north to south...

Guadalupe Canyon to Hwy. 5 (Ej. Saldana rd.) is 63 miles. the first and last 1/3 (approx.21 miles) are smooth and fast! The middle 1/3 is a nightmare! That part is mostly crossgrain and thick with 'Baja dust' (that talcum powder dry lake silt). My rig is a Tacoma TRD 4WD, and we could only get between 5 & 10 mph for that 20 miles!

The Baja Almanac is wrong: The road across to the lower Laguna Salada intersects the south bound (fast) road just to the right of the airport (airplane) symbol on page 6 (new Almanac) or page N-8 of the old Almanac. That intersection is known as 'Cohabuzo Junction' to the off road racers. The Baja 1000 in 2001 came through there and CODE races do so frequently, as well.

The GPS for Cohabuzo Jcn. (where you will turn left, east) is 31º55.74'/ 115º36.22' Map Datum is NAD27 Mexico (to match the Almanac maps).

Where the east cross-over (bad) road turns southerly (and joins the road shown in the Almanac) is at 31º55.31'/ 115º26.13'

A road joins in from the south at 31º50.17'/ 115º20.21', this road curves east.

Junction with road going south to Ejido Saldano, continue east: 31º50.12'/ 115º19.47'. It's 9 miles east to Highway 5 at the sand dunes, at the former checkpoint site. A newer road just south on Hwy. 5 is now signed for Saldano.

Please let us know how it was for you!"

NOTE: He never posted back!


Here is my noted map showing the two south routes to Guadalupe Canyon:

David K - 10-16-2014 at 09:08 AM

I might add, since they recently rebuilt Hwy. 5 and added a fence along both sides, the access road for Tres Pozos/ Ejido Saldaña is changed... it's a bit south of where it used to be, in the sand dune area half way between Mexicali and San Felipe.

StuckSucks - 10-16-2014 at 10:26 AM

I've been to Cohabuzo recently, and there's no fence/gate across the southern road (across from the sand dunes) from Highway 5 to Laguna Salada. The beginning of the dirt road is heavily washboarded, but nothing that 70mph can't fix.

N2Baja - 10-16-2014 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by StuckSucks
. . . . . is heavily washboarded, but nothing that 70mph can't fix.



Love it Stuck! You drive like I do! :lol: I appreciate everyone's tips and thank you for the map and gps pts, David. I'll check out those two others posts too.

As I posted above, we have no immediate plans for doing this route, but when we do I will definitely post here to let you all know. And will post pictures when we get back.

Any one want to come along?;D

Thanks again!

TMW - 10-17-2014 at 05:55 AM

The openning on hwy 5 for access is at KM87, the fence is open. Maybe marked Saldana. It's a graded road going way back toward a ranch or what's left of a ranch. You can follow the dirt sand road around to Cohabuzo jct then north for the Guadalupe turn off.

If Saluda is muddy be careful.



[Edited on 10-17-2014 by TW]

N2Baja - 10-17-2014 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
The openning on hwy 5 for access is at KM87, the fence is open. Maybe marked Saldana. It's a graded road going way back toward a ranch or what's left of a ranch. You can follow the dirt sand road around to Cohabuzo jct then north for the Guadalupe turn off.

If Saluda is muddy be careful.



[Edited on 10-17-2014 by TW]


Thank you TW. I've heard horror stories of the mud on Laguna Salada.

David K - 10-17-2014 at 06:12 PM

Do a fly over on Google Earth of the route from Hwy. 5 to Cohabuzo Jcn. to Guadalupe Canyon.

TMW - 10-18-2014 at 09:41 AM

In Sept. last year BJ and I pre-ran the NORRA 500 race course where it went over the mtn and down by way of El Mono then over to Cohabuzo jct. We then turned south following the CODE race course that was coming up in Oct. Here is a Google Earth picture of how we crossed Laguna Salada. The green line is the CODE race course and the blue lie is our path. We followed a set of tracks but should have went further west to bypass the mud. We got thru OK but it had us worried for a while.

N2Baja - 10-18-2014 at 09:55 PM

Awesome! Thank you TW! You run Norra? Do you know John Cole? He built my 67 Bronco.

TMW - 10-19-2014 at 10:18 AM

No I don't race it but I know some that do and I sometimes pit motorcycles. Sorry I don't know John. NORRA is a fun race. I did the pre-run over the mtn because I had not been on that section in several years.

PaulW - 10-19-2014 at 12:45 PM

N2Baja. We have lousy Internet In SF so I just got back on line. You have the best info available from the other messages. Sure, I have driven that track for every race that has used it and I can confirm that you want to take the western most track as soon as you turn north. Go with a 2nd 4wd rig and both of you will want to carry straps. AWD rigs do not cut it! When the track gets suspicious have the lead guy proceed while the 2nd guy wait for you to get stuck. Otherwise both proceed.
Going fast helps.
Since you have not done the trip go to Murdock Nav and pick a race track that was used where you want to go. Then download the GPS track edit it for the area needed and put the new track in your GPS. Then head out. If you do not have a GPS get either a Lowrance (any) or Garmin Oregon or Montana.
No BS just facts.
Paul
=========
Quote:
Originally posted by N2Baja
Quote:
Originally posted by PaulW
Not recommended so soon after the rains.
The problem is getting from hwy 5 to the west where less mud is. Then you need to have the GPS track to follow.
Do not take a chance just take the drive to mx 2
PW


So......you're saying there IS a track that approaches from the south? woo hoo!:bounce:

This isn't a trip we would be taking any time soon; you're right about it being too wet after all the rain. And I appreciate your concern and advice regarding the mud, etc. From your previous posts, it seems like you do a lot of offroading! Have you been out on this track? Anything more you can tell me?

p.s. I'm not a novice offroader, and I take the risks involved with going offroad (especially in baja) seriously. Just sayin;D

Laguna Salada Mud (November 2013) vs. Rio San Felipe Mud (March 2013)

Ken Cooke - 10-19-2014 at 01:18 PM

The mud in the Laguna Salada is like sticky ball bearing mud. Absolutely no control, no power, and with sticky stuff flying from all corners.

If you go in from Hwy 2, you have the advantage of taking either the playa or the graded dirt road.

Additional advantage, you have the opportunity to gas up in Progreso - a short jog takes you to the Laguna Salada and Guadalupe Canyon. Otherwise, you can head towards Ejido Durango for gas, and backtrack to the El Mayor mountains just opposite Rio Hardy to cross the muddy/Salt water crossing of Rio San Felipe. From there, travel the desolate route to Guadalupe Canyon.