BajaNomad

Baja wander anyone

Brennan - 10-26-2014 at 01:23 PM

I'm in the final stages of planning a trek through Baja. At this point I'm going solo, but it would be great to find someone else that wants to do the trip. I'm on no particular schedule or itinerary, but will likely be gone a couple of months. Tentative addition is ferry to the mainland and explore the Copper Canyon area (then maybe further south too?). I'm planning to leave San Luis Obispo CA on 11/3, cross at Tecate, and then see where the trails take me. Most interested in boondocking or beach camping with others.

Anyone in? Anyone already down there that might want company?

Brennan Johnson
San Luis Obispo, CA
2014 T4R Trail

StuckSucks - 10-26-2014 at 01:35 PM

Welcome aboard!

Just curious - have you wandered in Baja before?

David K - 10-26-2014 at 01:40 PM

Sounds great!

Maybe pick the brain of 'XRPhlang', who owns/ chef's at the restaurant by the south freeway entrance in your town... He's been all over Baja, by motorcycle!

Keep in mind about the Baja 1000 on Nov. 13-14 from Ensenada to La Paz (maps posted in the Off Roading forum here). Prerunners now until the race will be on the course.

motoged - 10-26-2014 at 01:50 PM

Enjoy Baja.

"Boondocking" in Baja tends to be unproblematic south of El Rosario if you use some good judgement.

I would discourage you from doing so on mainland...especially any where near Copper Canyon....growers and distributors don't want folks off the beaten path....and monitor your every minute in and out of the canyons.

Brennan - 10-26-2014 at 02:17 PM

Hi, All. Thanks for the initial responses and comments. I have not wandered or camped Baja before, but have visited a friend that lives on his boat several times. Primarily the La Paz and Puerto Escondido area to date. I've consistently heard that El Rosario is the dividing line - north of there be extra cautious.

Yeah, the Baja 1000 could complicate my trip. I've got their route map saved. :-)

AKgringo - 10-26-2014 at 02:51 PM

What are you driving? A rugged two wheel drive, and skill, will get you most places I have been, but a 4x4 with good clearance and tires opens up a lot more options.
With guidance from tips on this website, I crossed into Baja at Tecate, took highway two toward Mexicali avoiding the toll road, and turned south on the west side of La Rumorosa and drove through the National park to highway three.
Loved it, and then continued down the east side on highway five to highway one. Start searching some of the forums on this website for more ideas and info, it is here somewhere.
Have fun, and check your tires often.
G.L.

Brennan - 10-26-2014 at 03:39 PM

AKgringo, I'm driving a 2014 Toyota 4 Runner Trial, with upgraded suspension (Total Chaos & Icon), new tires (Toyo AT IIs), custom rear bumper (awesome swing away with bike rack), roof top tent, and paddle board mount. Front bumper with winch is on order, but unfortunately won't be ready by the time i leave. Here's a photo - not the greatest detail photo of the truck, but a descent scenery shot! :-) (high above Big Sur, CA last week)

Brennan - 10-26-2014 at 03:46 PM

Photo was too big - resized to 30kb and trying again...

imag0519-SM.jpg - 30kB

AKgringo - 10-26-2014 at 05:15 PM

With your rig, no worries, other than judgement calls that sometimes bite us all. I just got to La Paz, but would have loved the company of another wanderer on the way down. I have driven about 450 miles of dirt this trip with a couple of excursions off road so far, and would be up for some more if you get down this far. I know a few good roads down here, but I have not driven them since Odile hit.
Generally speaking, I prefer exploring the east side of the penninsula.
G.L.

shari - 10-26-2014 at 05:42 PM

Hey there Brennen...welcome to the sandbox which is a great place to get ideas about your upcoming journey and maybe even find a like minded travel ace! I personally would wait till after the El Rosario area to remote camp.

You might like Sta.Rosalillita area and camp on the beach there with that great rigf of yours and of course there is a hearty baja welcome waiting for you here in Bahia Asuncion where the boondocking is classic and it is the perfect time of year. You can have a shower, check internet, do laundry and swap stories with the folks in Campo Sirena on the beach in the village...will you be doing any shore fishing?

this area of central Pacific side Baja is a good choice for hanging out during the Baja 1000 as the race passes an hour away from us so it is very quiet. Look us up and we can get you dialed in on places to camp..like San Roque, Pta Eugenia, La Bocana Campo Rene, San Ignacio to name a few or head up into the Sierra mountains for some real exploring!

We look forward hearing about your trip with those fresh eyes of yours too. I have seen a few people make life long friendships and travel buddies on this forum. It might get more interest if you tell us a bit about yourself and what turns your crank. You also just might meet folks along the way to hook up with too which is common if you run into someone who has similar dreams as yours.

Buen Viaje!

AKgringo - 10-26-2014 at 07:35 PM

Brennen, sorry to detour your thread, but this is for Shari.
I spent the night in Bahia Asuncion on the way south, with the intention of checking out your camp, but nagging dental problems told me to get to my dentist in La Paz and check it out on the way back.
That should be in three or four weeks, and unless someone reports that the road south from Punta Prieta hs just been graded, I will be coming in from Vizcaino. The stretch from Punta Prieta to Punta Abreojos was the most obnoxious wash board of my trip!
See you in November. G.L.

BajaBlanca - 10-26-2014 at 08:56 PM

Your trip sounds amazing - to travel Baja with no set agenda is the stuff people dream of!

Now that you got the picture posting down - please remember to keep us posted on your whereabouts.

Somewhere there is a Baja LIST -check it out because there are some lifesaving ideas of what to bring with you. Shovel being one item. Always have water another. an air pump would be handy for pumping up tires after you air down for sandy areas. and so on!

A.&M. - 10-26-2014 at 11:33 PM

Brennan, I will be down about the same time. I will be at CoCos corner to watch the 1000 racers, will be their for a couple of days. I spent a few days their during last years race and had a great time. Then down to GN for the night and then Sheri's for a couple of days. After that I have no set plans except that I have to be home for Xmas. I am solo with a Dodge diesel 4x4 (red) with a Alaskan camper. I cross at Mexicali because I have had less trouble.

As most other will tell you go and have fun, in the last 5-6 trip I have had no problems. That little voice in the back of your head will tell you when you find you self someplace you should not be the trick of course is to listen.

Brennan - 10-27-2014 at 07:03 AM

Thanks, Shari! I actually didn't have Sta Rosalillita or Bahia Asuncion marked on my map, but they're both marked there now! I'll definitely be stopping to see you. There's so much in your local area that I want to do and see, so I'm very glad to have connected with you here! (I also marked your Bufadora B&B as a possible camp spot too for early in my trip).

BajaBlanca: Yes, it seems that I came across that prep list somewhere on this site. It was very similar to one that I've created from various sources. I'm checking items off one by one! :-)

A&M: AWESOME! Lets keep in touch. I've got CoCo's on my list, but will probably not visit while the 1000 is there. Maybe I'll run into you at Shari's, or before. I'm planning to stay in Tecate area the night of 11/3, then head to Ensenada on 11/4 and start wandering aimlessly from there! :-) Lets definitely keep in touch with trip updates and route plans.

Jack Swords - 10-27-2014 at 07:23 AM

Look me up in La Paz if you get down there. We are driving down Dec 2-6 in a 2014 4Runner also. We are in Marina de La Paz, s/v La Paloma. Dinner's on me. We are in SLO county (Nipomo) until after Thanksgiving. This will be our 16th year on our boat in La Paz, but lots of Baja for years before. Have a great trip.

shari - 10-27-2014 at 08:03 AM

Soulpatch is right on about the insurance etc etc.

Brennan...check your private mail box called U2U up in the right corner under the log in. Look forward to your visit.

Jack Swords - 10-27-2014 at 08:19 AM

Kinda surprised no one has mentioned the Baja Almanac. If you don't have one, get it before you leave. It shows most dirt roads and other places you will be traversing. A good supplement to a GPS or other device you may be using. David K must be asleep at the switch.

David K - 10-27-2014 at 08:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jack Swords
Kinda surprised no one has mentioned the Baja Almanac. If you don't have one, get it before you leave. It shows most dirt roads and other places you will be traversing. A good supplement to a GPS or other device you may be using. David K must be asleep at the switch.


huh... wha... oh, good morning!

:lol:

Maps to have that are of good use/ support:

Baja California Almanac
AAA Baja Map

Available at http://bajabooksandmaps.com last word is they still have the Almanac is stock.

Another source is http://discoverbaja.com or stop in their San Diego office. You don't have to be a club member to buy there, but you get a discount if you are one... and it is a great Baja club to join for other reasons. Not sure if they still have the Almanac there? Call and ask.


Of course, there's my latest book about the founding of all the California missions, and most of them are in Baja! I also have mission details on my web site's Baja Missions section: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions

bajalearner - 10-27-2014 at 10:53 AM

Brennan, I might be up for the adventure. I've been planning on just such a trip and very flexible. I have a Sequioa 4wd and have been getting my enclosed trailer set up for camping and taking a small dirt bike.

Anyway, I will U2 you and we should take on the phone or email to see what's up. I live in Tijuana. Retired.

Brennan - 10-27-2014 at 02:02 PM

Thanks everyone!!! I did get my insurance already thru Vagabundos del Mar. I also got my FMM thru Vagabundos already. I planned on getting my vehicle TIP in Ensenada, but will look online right now for that.

I DID find the Baja Almanac! I don't remember where I bought it from - it was pricey, but it looks like a fantastic resource. I also have the AAA map. A good resource book has been Church & Church's Mexican Camping.

Brennan - 10-29-2014 at 06:23 AM

I've read in a couple of places that US license plates are prone to be removed by police officers for minor infractions (ie, parking) or stolen by kids for souvenirs. With this in mind, I was thinking of removing my plates from the bumpers, and taping them inside the front & rear windows. Anyone else have experience with this?

Brennan - 10-29-2014 at 06:50 AM

Hmm, OK. If i leave the plates on the bumpers, might I want to spend extra time to find non-removable screws?

mtgoat666 - 10-29-2014 at 07:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Brennan
Hmm, OK. If i leave the plates on the bumpers, might I want to spend extra time to find non-removable screws?


Perhaps that will help you sleep better, eh?

Me thinks you worry way too much.

Brennan - 10-29-2014 at 07:16 AM

OK, I hear ya. I am an uber-planner...
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Brennan
Hmm, OK. If i leave the plates on the bumpers, might I want to spend extra time to find non-removable screws?


Perhaps that will help you sleep better, eh?

Me thinks you worry way too much.

bajalearner - 10-29-2014 at 07:37 AM

I haven't had that problem or heard of it. I guess you could make color copies of the plate and if your plate disappears, you could tape the color copies in the windows.

I might just keep color copies in my car. Might come in handy

[Edited on 10-29-2014 by bajalearner]

Brennan - 10-29-2014 at 07:48 AM

Excellent idea. Thank you! I made multiple color copies of everything else i'm taking, but didn't even think about the plates.