BajaNomad

Aqua Verde and Points South... Road Conditions and Camping Info

Estrella - 1-19-2015 at 09:50 PM

We are going to be exploring south of Loreto sometime in Febuary. We have heard magical things about Aqua Verde. So we're wondering if there is a current road report and what we can expect when we get there? We will be pulling our older ALiner pop up trailer unless there is some sort of lodging available. Also thinking of then heading towards Todos Santos and around the Cape, time permitting. Any advice is appreciated!

Agua Verde

StuckSucks - 1-20-2015 at 09:14 AM

I drove down there in November. The road starts as pavement, then when it drops off toward the Cortez, it turns rough and drops off quickly. The scenery is spectacular. Others can comment about whether the road is trailer friendly.

Here's a photo sphere taken where the road starts to drop off - click and drag to look around:
http://tinyurl.com/ksls6bk









Click to embiggen this panorama of Agua Verde:


[Edited on 1-20-2015 by StuckSucks]

Bajaboy - 1-20-2015 at 09:16 AM

Nice pics and thanks for the recent information.

Estrella - 1-20-2015 at 10:04 AM

Many thanks! How long did it take to drive in? Sure looks like we can do it with the T100 and our trusty little single axle ALiner.

motoged - 1-20-2015 at 11:28 AM

No accommodations there on any commercial level; a small trailer could be pulled in but you won't want to try to turn it around once you start the descent from the last ranchos on the alto plano ....

If in doubt about the trailer, you may want to park it at one of the ranchos near the end of the paved section and drive the truck down first to scout the details.....

A beautiful area, for sure.

blackwolfmt - 1-20-2015 at 11:55 AM

WOW!!! wish I was there right now, thanks for the pics

Estrella - 1-20-2015 at 12:32 PM

How much travel time should we allow from our place in Mulege? Thanks again for the pictures and road conditions update!

motoged - 1-20-2015 at 01:23 PM

From Highway turn-off to Rancho Cosmo/bottom of hill (coast) is less than an hour for sure.....from Mulege to turn-off south of Loreto is about two hours.

The small tienda and family living at the turn-off is a safe and friendly place if you want to leave the trailer there for a preliminary scouting mission for the trip down without the trailer.

StuckSucks - 1-20-2015 at 01:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
The small tienda and family living at the turn-off is a safe and friendly place if you want to leave the trailer there for a preliminary scouting mission for the trip down without the trailer.


Rancho Cosmo, wouldn't Kramer be happy?

David K - 1-20-2015 at 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
From Highway turn-off to Rancho Cosmo/bottom of hill (coast) is less than an hour for sure.....from Mulege to turn-off south of Loreto is about two hours.

The small tienda and family living at the turn-off is a safe and friendly place if you want to leave the trailer there for a preliminary scouting mission for the trip down without the trailer.



AKgringo - 1-20-2015 at 03:02 PM

I had a great a great plate of chiliquiles con huevos fritos at the restaurant at the turn off! It was a fun stop, a very pleasant family run business.
I pulled a small utility trailer down that grade with no problem, but if you run into a large oncoming rig in the narrow section, I hope your backing skills are good. At least you can bet on a low speed encounter!

Marc - 1-20-2015 at 09:07 PM

I saw a double axel boat trailer as far as Rancho Cosmo. Be careful. It's worth the trip. Bring everything.

Estrella - 1-21-2015 at 10:48 AM

We are excited! Thanks for all the great advice and wonderful pictures!
We are probably going to be doing this camping trip solo. Are there usually other people camped there?

David K - 1-21-2015 at 01:00 PM

San Cosme (not Rancho Cosmo) is the place at the bottom of the grade, when you first come close to the sea. It is a tourist camp of sorts, with a large palapa meeting/ eating area. Tour groups (The Green Tortoise) come there... the attraction? Hot springs in the tidal zone, just north along the coast. You can drive to them at low tide.

http://www.greentortoise.com/adventure-bus-tours-baja.html

From BajaTaco http://www.bajataco.com/ :




This is one of our favorite hot springs in Baja. Like others, the tide comes in and covers it. There's nothing like a hot tub on the edge of the sea. We spent quite some time camping here with plenty of soaking, snorkeling, and hiking.

Estrella - 1-21-2015 at 03:02 PM

We will be lounging in those pools several weeks from now! Thanks to the wonderful pictures and shared experiences and road info. Now the next question....where to next as we head towards Todos Santos and possibly around the cape. That is if we have any time left after enjoying Aqua Verde....

David K - 1-21-2015 at 03:17 PM

Well, there's a lot of cool stuff before Agua Verde, but if you want to just see what is after... how about the next point of interest south:

Mission San Luis Gonzaga Chiriyaqui (1737-1768)

The handsome cut stone church that remains intact to this day was constructed from March of 1753 to December of 1758.


1951 Howard Gulick Photo



2000 Jack Swords photo


To locate the mission of San Luis Gonzaga, take a 23 mile graded dirt road east from Highway 1, beginning about 10 miles south of Ciudad Constitucion. A small village is located at the mission oasis. Ruins of other buildings date back to the years when this was a large cattle ranch and a rest stop on the Camino Real to La Paz.

AKgringo - 1-21-2015 at 03:54 PM

I have not found a bad destination on your route, but if time is short, I would prefer to spend it on the East Cape! I think the scenery is better, the roads more interesting, and aside from surf the ocean delivers big time.
Los Barriles is one of my favorite villages, and it is a short drive to Cabo Pulmo which is worthy of some time.

[Edited on 1-22-2015 by AKgringo]

Marc - 1-21-2015 at 06:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
San Cosme (not Rancho Cosmo) is the place at the bottom of the grade, when you first come close to the sea. It is a tourist camp of sorts, with a large palapa meeting/ eating area. Tour groups (The Green Tortoise) come there... the attraction? Hot springs in the tidal zone, just north along the coast. You can drive to them at low tide.

http://www.greentortoise.com/adventure-bus-tours-baja.html

From BajaTaco http://www.bajataco.com/ :




This is one of our favorite hot springs in Baja. Like others, the tide comes in and covers it. There's nothing like a hot tub on the edge of the sea. We spent quite some time camping here with plenty of soaking, snorkeling, and hiking.

It's "Rancho San Cosme" or so says the sign.


[Edited on 1-22-2015 by Marc]

David K - 1-21-2015 at 10:34 PM

Yes, good photo!

motoged - 1-22-2015 at 01:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
San Cosme (not Rancho Cosmo) is the place at the bottom of the grade,


DK,
Perhaps my spelling mistake of using a "o" rather than an "e" for "Rancho Cosme" is forgivable by most...

But my statement bears the reality in essence...



I have been there twice in the past two years....when was your last time there?

David K - 1-22-2015 at 09:13 AM

Did I say any different Ged???

Estrella - 1-22-2015 at 10:55 AM

Okay..Aqua Verde is our 1st camping stop on our trip to explore and sounds like it will be hard to beat! So anyone have suggestions as where to camp further south if we take AKGringo's advice and stick to the East Cape?

wilderone - 1-22-2015 at 06:15 PM

Great photos at the beginning - should be in a Baja calendar.

Fernweh - 1-27-2015 at 07:51 PM

The new pavement is starting to fall apart, due to wash outs and not so good of a grading job, in the first place......

Maybe it will keep some travelers out?

Karl