BajaNomad - San Felipe to Guerro Negro

San Felipe to Guerro Negro

CortezBlue - 12-1-2014 at 09:34 PM

I have a trip planned to go to see the whales in March. Doing a google map, it shows about a 6 hour trip, however, I am not sure if that includes extra time for the unfinished section from where 5 construction ends to hwy 1.

If you have taken the trip recently, what would you consider the correct time

TecateRay - 12-1-2014 at 09:53 PM

I recently drove the un paved section. 2 hours from the highway to Gonzaga in a full size 4x4 pickup.

Road Status

bajaguy - 12-1-2014 at 10:20 PM

From ensenada.net

Puertecitos- road almost ready Laguna Chapala

Includes bridge 305 meters long
Article posted November 30, 2014
by Elizabeth Vargas

A 93 percent advance recorded the work in Laguna Chapala Puertecitos- road, the Director General of the Centre SCT Pesqueira said Alfonso Padrés

This year the project included the construction of 17 kilometers of roads and a bridge 305 meters long, with an investment of 187.7 million pesos, that as part of the national infrastructure.

The federal official said that this work is part of the road network in the municipality of Ensenada, (Puertecitos-Laguna Chapala) aims to create a road option interconnection and be detonator tourism and economic development for the region.

With the construction of these 17 kilometers which is estimated to be completed by December this year. Only 31 will modernize to reach the junction of the road transpeninsular. Needs work during this administration.

This road has a width of 9 meters 3.5 per lane, with gating. To date, the road section Puertecitos -Laguna Chapala, is 100 percent finished to the Bay of San Luis Gonzaga.

Currently working in the placement of asphalt, horizontal and vertical signage, tuning bridges and culverts.

Padrés Pesqueira said that with this type of work compliance is given to the work program of the Government of the Republic, who is Moving to Mexico with more and better roads.

redhilltown - 12-2-2014 at 12:16 AM

Two hours seems very generous but there are a lot of factors as to the road condition after the rains, what you are driving/towing, if you air down, and your rig and knowledge (and how long you stop at Coco's!).

chippy - 12-2-2014 at 07:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

GUERRERO (it means Warrior in English). Name comes from a wrecked whaling ship, The Black Warrior, a long time ago!

San Felipe to Guerrero Negro now has about 30 miles that are unpaved, and 23 of them are rocky/ rough if you need smooth roads. Of course to detour through Ensnenada will keep you off the rough, but add 200 miles to the trip!

The views south of Puertecitos, and the beauty of Gonzaga Bay (take the 1.5 mile side trip to Alfonsina's from the Pemex for lunch or a beer) more than makes up for the dirt road, IMO.

Have fun!

ENSENADA means cove or inlet. :lol:

David K - 12-2-2014 at 07:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

Quote: Originally posted by David K

GUERRERO (it means Warrior in English). Name comes from a wrecked whaling ship, The Black Warrior, a long time ago!

San Felipe to Guerrero Negro now has about 30 miles that are unpaved, and 23 of them are rocky/ rough if you need smooth roads. Of course to detour through Ensenada will keep you off the rough, but add 200 miles to the trip!

The views south of Puertecitos, and the beauty of Gonzaga Bay (take the 1.5 mile side trip to Alfonsina's from the Pemex for lunch or a beer) more than makes up for the dirt road, IMO.

Have fun!

ENSENADA means cove or inlet. :lol:

YES it does, and thank you!!! I hate typos, specially when they come from my fingers... LOL!

bajaguy - 12-2-2014 at 07:39 AM

Actually Guerrero is Warrior in Spanish.......warrior in English is........ warrior

Quote: Originally posted by David K

GUERRERO (it means Warrior in English). Name comes from a wrecked whaling ship, The Black Warrior, a long time ago![Edited on 12-2-2014 by David K]

BeemerDan - 12-2-2014 at 02:04 PM

I'm in San Felipe now, and heading south on my bike in the AM, Will post pics and road conditions when I get to R&B in San Ignacio

rts551 - 12-2-2014 at 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

GUERRERO (it means Warrior in English). Name comes from a wrecked whaling ship, The Black Warrior, a long time ago!

San Felipe to Guerrero Negro now has about 30 miles that are unpaved, and 23 of them are rocky/ rough if you need smooth roads. Of course to detour through Ensenada will keep you off the rough, but add 200 miles to the trip!

The views south of Puertecitos, and the beauty of Gonzaga Bay (take the 1.5 mile side trip to Alfonsina's from the Pemex for lunch or a beer) more than makes up for the dirt road, IMO.

Have fun!

[Edited on 12-2-2014 by David K]

since you have been on this road recently, how much damage did the Baja 1000 traffic do to the dirt part between the pavement and Chapala?

David K - 12-2-2014 at 02:25 PM

There are big 18 wheelers on the road already shortcutting to Mexicali... Those are far more damaging than high tech off road vehicles I would think. For road conditions there the past couple of weeks see posts by TW and others... That's where I get my latest data to pass along. My last time over that road was in July 2012... rough enough then to flatten one of my tires (actually caused an earlier patch to fail).

I know your motive, and I always yield to latest reports if they differ from mine. Some Nomads (like the OP here) don't want to take time to find the most current data, so I am just helping, but no matter what I post, it doesn't prevent someone with newer data to also post. In fact, any posts (like these) bump this to the top of the board keeping it in the current field of discussion. After-all, this is a discussion forum!

Edit, PS: The Baja 1000 was only on 13 miles of the road, and not all the way to the pavement at Gonzaga... 17-18 miles north of Coco's Corner.

[Edited on 12-2-2014 by David K]

rts551 - 12-2-2014 at 02:52 PM

oh thanks. You posted as if you knew. Sometimes it helps if you post that it is second hand information.

The road sustained a little damage between Coco's and Chapala from the hurricane rain...and there was a lot of chase and other traffic on it during and after the race.. but that was a couple of weeks ago.

thought maybe you knew something I did not.

David K - 12-2-2014 at 06:37 PM

Nothing new there... it is all over the Internet.

If you know these things better than I, then why don't YOU step up and help a Nomad, but have no hesitation to step up to question me?

I help with my older data or Nomad data whenever possible to anyone asking. That never prevents others for stepping up. You posted to question me, not to help anyone. I also post detailed trip reports within a day of my return, so I do my part to also post current info.

Older data still beats no data. Your hounding helps to keep other newbies from stepping up to post here. Nobody likes harassment.

CortezBlue - 12-2-2014 at 07:01 PM

Why is it that a simple question always gets into a peeing match. I didn't ask for facts, that I already know. It isn't a trivia game of who knows more. I appreciate the responses I got TecateRay, Baja Guy and Beemer Dan

But seriously, If anyone has take the trip lately, I would like to compare Google Maps number of 6 hours from San Felipe or should I plan on 8 hours with the road conditions or does the 6 hours include the extra time on the unfinished portion of the Hwy 5.

I don't want trip reports with photos that have been posted 100 times with the history of every outhouse between San Felipe and Cabo.

As Jack Webb would say, just the facts!

:fire:

AKgringo - 12-2-2014 at 07:10 PM

I drove the road a week ago on my way north. Two hours for the last thirty plus miles is about what it takes, but that is with a whole lot of shaking going on! Most of that stretch has been washed down to cobbles and bedrock, so I would say that the portion used by the Baja 1k was probably unchanged by the race traffic. However, the first couple of miles of the flats heading north from Mex 1 have been pretty chewed up by heavy truck traffic and the recovery efforts for one that didn't make it. That is a section that could be repaired by a grader, but I didn't see any sign of men or equipment working.
South of Gonzaga they were putting the finishing touches on five or six miles of brand new pavement, but they were not allowing any traffic on it yet. I am sure it will be open soon.
The Pemex at Gonzaga Bay is usually open, but several of us had to wait a while for someone to show up and sell some gasoline (no diesel available)
If they are closed, the next Pemex is at Villa Jesus Maria, with a couple of private vendors (scalpers) along the route.
Hope this helps, G.L.

rts551 - 12-2-2014 at 07:38 PM

Thanks G.L. with the traffic and weather things can change rapidly. best to give current info. I will also be going that way again in a week.

CortezBlue - 12-2-2014 at 08:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I drove the road a week ago on my way north. Two hours for the last thirty plus miles is about what it takes, but that is with a whole lot of shaking going on! Most of that stretch has been washed down to cobbles and bedrock, so I would say that the portion used by the Baja 1k was probably unchanged by the race traffic. However, the first couple of miles of the flats heading north from Mex 1 have been pretty chewed up by heavy truck traffic and the recovery efforts for one that didn't make it. That is a section that could be repaired by a grader, but I didn't see any sign of men or equipment working.
South of Gonzaga they were putting the finishing touches on five or six miles of brand new pavement, but they were not allowing any traffic on it yet. I am sure it will be open soon.
The Pemex at Gonzaga Bay is usually open, but several of us had to wait a while for someone to show up and sell some gasoline (no diesel available)
If they are closed, the next Pemex is at Villa Jesus Maria, with a couple of private vendors (scalpers) along the route.
Hope this helps, G.L.

So did you come from Guerro?

So if so, how long do you think the total trip was to SF?

tripledigitken - 12-2-2014 at 08:00 PM

The article stated a bridge (305 Mtrs) completed this year. Is that one south of Gonzaga, or the one just north by Bufeo finished over a year ago?

rts551 - 12-2-2014 at 08:27 PM

If this helps, it usually takes us 5-6 hours to drive from SF to hwy1 Chapala. but we drive slow and take breaks. We sometimes stop for lunch. We are still looking for a pet friendly hotel in SF.

bajaguy - 12-2-2014 at 09:17 PM

Try the Sand Dollar Resort......contact person is John Trinkle

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

If this helps, it usually takes us 5-6 hours to drive from SF to hwy1 Chapala. but we drive slow and take breaks. We sometimes stop for lunch. We are still looking for a pet friendly hotel in SF.

AKgringo - 12-2-2014 at 09:57 PM

Cortez, I started my drive in Bahia Asuncion that morning and stopped near Puertocitos, and made a few stops along the way. I didn't pay much attention to my time frame and distance traveled.
My impression is that six hours to Guerro Negro is not realistic. I was delayed on one of the switchbacks about halfway between Coco's Corner and Chappalla by a load of scrap metal that was being re-loaded on to a flatbed (with bald tires).
The construction detours were well graded, but soft, so any rain would change things fast!

Alm - 12-3-2014 at 01:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

There are big 18 wheelers on the road already shortcutting to Mexicali... Those are far more damaging than high tech off road vehicles I would think.

Probably so. And it's going to get worse. Paving the Baja brings more destruction than one might think, and in many different ways. When they will pave the section between Gonzaga and Hwy 1, there will be more traffic yet, with quad/jetski/seadoo/boombox/weedsmoke crowds spilling to BOLA and beyond.

bajaguy - 12-3-2014 at 06:04 AM

And more roadside shrines

Quote: Originally posted by Alm

Quote: Originally posted by David K

There are big 18 wheelers on the road already shortcutting to Mexicali... Those are far more damaging than high tech off road vehicles I would think.

David K - 12-3-2014 at 06:52 AM

Bad roads bring good people... and good roads bring ALL KINDS of people!

(Anita Espinoza, 1973)

rts551 - 12-3-2014 at 07:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Cortez, I started my drive in Bahia Asuncion that morning and stopped near Puertocitos, and made a few stops along the way. I didn't pay much attention to my time frame and distance traveled.
My impression is that six hours to Guerro Negro is not realistic. I was delayed on one of the switchbacks about halfway between Coco's Corner and Chappalla by a load of scrap metal that was being re-loaded on to a flatbed (with bald tires).
The construction detours were well graded, but soft, so any rain would change things fast!

To Guerrero Negro. No way. Notice I said 5-6 just to Chapala. Then Chapala to Guerrero Negro is another 3 or so.

StuckSucks - 12-3-2014 at 02:30 PM

I drove the road south, then north, in early/mid-November. Between the end of the pavement at km154 and Laguna Chapala, there were some rockyish sections, some smoother sections, and thru the laguna, it was often best to jump onto the paralleling road. I didn't let air out of my tires.

Ribbonslinger - 12-3-2014 at 03:33 PM

Anyone know the cell number of the mechanic (Vincent?) at the gas station in Laguna Chapala ? He seemed like a good guy and he speaks English. I am towing a boat this year hoping for no problems but might be good to have.

David K - 12-3-2014 at 05:07 PM

Great photos StuckSucks! The road looks awesome... the rougher the better until it is gone forever in 2019 (at the current rate of 10 km. per year)!

Ribbonslinger, when did cell service get there? Could it be there's a government or personal satellite phone used instead?

Ribbonslinger - 12-3-2014 at 05:23 PM

I did not check last year through there if there was cell service. I assumed there would be after Coco,s. Maybe I will be SOL.

Ribbonslinger - 12-3-2014 at 05:26 PM

Assumed not burroumed !

rts551 - 12-3-2014 at 05:31 PM

There is no cell service... VHF radio and sat phone.

Ribbonslinger - 12-3-2014 at 05:36 PM

I have a VHF. Know what channel the mechanic might be on?

rts551 - 12-3-2014 at 06:22 PM

No sorry I don't. same channel as Rancho Chapala if anyone has it.

freediverbrian - 12-3-2014 at 10:13 PM

First it was the trans continental railroad then route 66 the west coast will never be the same

David K - 12-4-2014 at 08:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by freediverbrian

First it was the trans continental railroad then route 66 the west coast will never be the same

Ain't that the truth!

Progress happens... At least in Mexico's California, the progress began much later, and much slower... giving some of us a chance to experience the raw peninsula.

rts551 - 12-4-2014 at 09:20 AM

Maybe the next person through can stop and get the frequency and post it. That way it will be available to those that have a VHF radio.

brewer - 12-4-2014 at 07:41 PM

It takes me 2 1/2 hours from Gonzaga to HWY 1 at Chapala. I air down and go slow, enjoying one of the last good dirt roads in Baja. It will be gone soon enough. When it is, you can go 70 mph and be down to see the whales in no time.

As for the VHF channel, ask Jose at the Chapala llantera. He can air you up too. He's a real good guy.

Marc - 12-5-2014 at 07:56 AM

Drove it in October SF to Mex 1 in 4 hours. Much construction but no delays.

bajabrant - 12-5-2014 at 09:12 AM

3 days after the 1000 this nov in pickem up truck san felipe to mulege 9 1/2 hours

mcnut - 12-5-2014 at 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by brewer

I air down and go slow, enjoying one of the last good dirt roads in Baja.

When one door closes another opens. I have found and continue to find excellent dirt routes all over the peninsula, often overlooked by others. They are out there waiting for you to discover.

Bruce

rts551 - 12-5-2014 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mcnut

Quote: Originally posted by brewer

I air down and go slow, enjoying one of the last good dirt roads in Baja.

When one door closes another opens. I have found and continue to find excellent dirt routes all over the peninsula, often overlooked by others. They are out there waiting for you to discover.

Bruce

me too.

Ribbonslinger - 12-5-2014 at 01:53 PM

I love boonie bashing looking for great spots. What is your secret boys for getting the co- pilot to buy in given some of the drug shi! Going on in baja right now?

rts551 - 12-5-2014 at 02:07 PM

We live in small town in BCS 8 months out of the year. So no problem.