BajaNomad

Status of road from Hwy 1/San Ignacio to lagoon?

Whale-ista - 1-21-2015 at 04:38 PM

Can someone provide a status report on the road conditions out to San Ignacio lagoon?

Last spring they had completed about 30 miles of the approx. 40 to the first group of houses. Have they managed to pave the area thru the salt flats? (I recall it was an engineering headache) Or is it still a rough final push over the final 10 miles or so?

Any current reports appreciated.

Tomas Tierra - 1-22-2015 at 11:34 AM

Don't have a first hand report from very recently... But, from what I understand the levy roads over the salt ponds were wiped out from summer storms.. The go around was somewhere near San Zacarias (church, small store, big shad tree, "Reye" the proprietor is a great guy), then returned to the upper North road near the whale camps.. This was from about four weeks ago..


I sure hope that is not the case now.. It will certainly cut down on the whale business for some truly great Baja Californians...

Looking forward to up to date info... Almost time to load up!

TT

Road's good. Sorry, trouble posting..don't know why

degoma - 1-23-2015 at 09:06 AM

temporary repairs were made to the levy--slow going

degoma - 1-23-2015 at 09:11 AM

Tomas Tierra - 1-23-2015 at 10:44 AM

I like it when people yell good news!

TT

Status of road from town of San Ignacio to San Ignacio Lagoon

rufflife - 2-4-2015 at 08:52 AM

TMW - 2-4-2015 at 10:01 AM

In November last year the pavement was about 25 miles from town. Then OK graded road the rest of the way with two places where it was single lane across the mud flats. They were maybe 1/4 mile sections give or take. The first did not have any pull overs for passing oncoming traffic. The second one is a bit longer and it had pull overs. So look ahead at the two sections and it's probably a good ideal to have your headlights on too.

mtgoat666 - 2-4-2015 at 11:19 AM

drove last month. road is about same as usual. paved from town to edge of mudflats. mudflat road is usual hummocky surface. unpaved road past the mudflats is same old washboard.
hurricane left some interesting changes in low points, but road repairs have road back to usual condition
dont worry, be happy

David K - 2-4-2015 at 11:20 AM

Could someone press their trip odometer to zero at the mission/plaza and then note the mileage at the end of pavement and at the lagoon camp. Thank you!

mtgoat666 - 2-4-2015 at 01:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Snowing heavy?


dont worry, dk, they are pretty good about plowing the lagoon road within an hour of snowfall. you can leave your chains at home.

rts551 - 2-4-2015 at 02:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Snowing heavy?


dont worry, dk, they are pretty good about plowing the lagoon road within an hour of snowfall. you can leave your chains at home.


He wants snow so he can use his A$$TRAC and do some more posting abut it. Same with the mileage. needs to update his posts on road conditions for roads its been ages he has been on.:O

mtgoat666 - 2-4-2015 at 03:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Snowing heavy?


dont worry, dk, they are pretty good about plowing the lagoon road within an hour of snowfall. you can leave your chains at home.


He wants snow so he can use his A$$TRAC and do some more posting abut it.


well, he does say volcanoes and liberals are causing world to get colder, maybe it will snow!

David K - 2-4-2015 at 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Snowing heavy?


dont worry, dk, they are pretty good about plowing the lagoon road within an hour of snowfall. you can leave your chains at home.


He wants snow so he can use his A$$TRAC and do some more posting abut it. Same with the mileage. needs to update his posts on road conditions for roads its been ages he has been on.:O


I have never been to San Ignacio Lagoon. The reason for the mileage request is for the benefit of EVERYONE. The one simple piece of data that seems hard to find, is the mileage to where the pavement ends from either end. That is a slow project seems a reasonable request, as it is changing, like the highway south of Puertecitos.

A-TRAC is a traction system that only works in Low Range 4WD... it's use is highly limited to the most extreme trails or conditions. There is no reason to discuss traction systems on paved or graded roads.

[Edited on 2-5-2015 by David K]

MMc - 2-4-2015 at 05:15 PM

What does the mileage matter? If your driving out to the lagoon you'll know it when you get there. It's pretty hard to get lost going out there. The better question is what kind of shape is the road in, which is what was asked.

Bajahowodd - 2-4-2015 at 06:00 PM

Isn't this supposed to be the first leg of a paved highway down the West side to Ciudad Insurgentes?

rufflife - 2-4-2015 at 06:06 PM

Have been trying to post a road report, but must be doing something wrong. It keeps telling me I have not entered a message.

Road report from the town of San Ignacio to San Ignacio Lagoon

rufflife - 2-4-2015 at 06:08 PM

David K - 2-4-2015 at 06:17 PM

As mentioned, the new Nomad software will not allow any accent marks, Spanish letters, degree symbols, or pasting from Word if there are any quotations as well...

This is supposed to be all fixed... someday...

rufflife - 2-4-2015 at 06:20 PM

Ah, thanks for the heads-up! I have not been visiting Nomad lately and must have missed the part about not being able to paste. I shall sit down and type out the info...

Thank you!

David K - 2-4-2015 at 06:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Isn't this supposed to be the first leg of a paved highway down the West side to Ciudad Insurgentes?


That was the long range plan, but reported to be halted by businesses in Santa Rosalia, Mulege, and Loreto since all traffic going south of those places would stay on the Pacific side of the mountains and avoid thiose towns along with the two big grades, and a hundred extra miles of driving.

David K - 2-4-2015 at 06:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rufflife  
Ah, thanks for the heads-up! I have not been visiting Nomad lately and must have missed the part about not being able to paste. I shall sit down and type out the info...

Thank you!


My pleasure... it was in the Nomad Issues forum.

You can try pasting again, but remove all " and ' as well as the other things I mentioned.

rufflife - 2-4-2015 at 06:34 PM

Here is a detailed report of hazards/potential hazards on the road between the town of San Ignacio and San Ignacio Lagoon. The road is quite drive-able (even in a compact car), but one should keep their eyes on the road.

There is also a rumor that a road crew has been hired to clear the debris from the road... In the meantime, and in case that does not become a reality, here is the road report.

The numbers reflect the mileage from the start of the road to the lagoon. If you reset your trip miles at the "KM Zero" sign - just as the road to the lagoon truly begins - you should be able to be aware ahead of when these obstacles will appear.

7 - Right lane has a bit of slide debris leftover from Odile
9.8 - Pile of dirt (hard to see) acts like big speed bump. Most vehicles use the left lane where the bump is a bit lower
10.9 - BIG dirt pile! Right lane is closed. Have to use left lane to go around. Paved road is a bit broken up after this pile
16.3 - Right lane debris (sand & gravel) just around the bend
16.4 - Right lane debris (sand & gravel) have to use left lane
16.9 - Left lane blocked due to drifting sand
17.7 - There is a turnoff to the left. Bypass turn and keep going straight
19.6 - Left lane blocked with sand
24.5 - Sharp left turn (not really any reflective signs. At night, or if going too fast, there is the potential to miss the turn)
24.5 to 25.2 - Debris (sand & gravel) on both sides of road, so people drive down center
25.2 - Left lane around this curve has gravel in it, so people take the curve in the right lane
25.9 - Right lane blocked with sand drifts
28.7 - Pavement ends
28.8 - Dirt road goes down to 1 lane
29.5 - Dirt road goes back to 2 lanes
29.9 - Dirt road goes mostly back to 1 lane (there are a few turnouts for passing) until mile 31.8
31.8 - Beginning of washboard road
33.3 - Left turn (there is a sign) to go toward Kuyima, Baja Ecotours, Antonio's (whale watching camps) and points beyond. If you keep going straight on the road you have been traveling, you will come to Pachico's Eco Tours on the right, a little over a mile past this sign for the other camps.

Mil Gracias for the report RuffLife!

Whale-ista - 2-4-2015 at 07:27 PM

I appreciate your detailed Information!

I'm organizing a caravan to various lagoons for Semana Santa, with a group of whale watching newbies. Wanted to know status of road for their benefit, as we discuss which cars to drive, approx schedule, etc.

Compared to the pre-pavement lagoon road, this new road is a fast and relatively easy drive. It is a real benefit to the lagoon community- both for delivering paying tourists/visitors TO the lagoon, and getting their catch OUT.

(I understand why the east coast towns would not welcome a west coast paved road- but it would be a great benefit for those of us who prefer the cooler Pacific side.)

[Edited on 2-5-2015 by Whale-ista]

DianaT - 2-4-2015 at 08:53 PM

One thing for sure, they will keep that road passable for the tour vans from town.

The pre-pavement road always varied in condition and pavement is good for the locals.

Can't wait to go out there again!

MMc - 2-4-2015 at 08:56 PM

Whale-ista, If some are not comfortable driving out in there own autos out to the lagoon. you can make arrangements in town to take a van out and back, they charge about $100.00 usd for the load. Kuyima can take maybe 10 or so in the van.

Whale-ista - 2-4-2015 at 09:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
Whale-ista, If some are not comfortable driving out in there own autos out to the lagoon. you can make arrangements in town to take a van out and back, they charge about $100.00 usd for the load. Kuyima can take maybe 10 or so in the van.


Thanks- good suggestion. I'll keep that in mind. I use their campground at lagoon, have not used shuttle service before.

Do you know if they have a safe/secure parking area for cars left in town if people choose to stay overnight at campground, or is for day trips only?

rufflife - 2-5-2015 at 07:53 AM

The road is passable and people are making the drive in compact vehicles and RVs at this time. There are just some sections where slowing down is a really good idea. Most of the mess is on the paved section of road....

Even if the road crew doesn't get some of the sand/gravel/debris moved (and, I think it will happen) - The current state of the road is still a heck of a lot easier to drive than it used to be!

Not sure of any secured parking in San Ignacio if you should opt to spend the night out at the lagoon. If you do decide you want to spend the night out at the lagoon, you might be paying 2x for the van. Not sure how Kuyima prices their taxi shuttle service (I have heard closer to $120.00 USD for pricing per van load), but if you come back a different day, you might have to pay again.

Dago Fischer also offers shuttle service to the lagoon, so that is also an option if Kuyima happens to be full around Semana Santa.

Zola - 2-5-2015 at 10:17 AM

Does this mean that the road to the Lagoona is clear, and that to go to San Juanico it is no longer necessary to take the detour to the high road that obliges you to cross through high water and destroy the underside of your car :D

Bajahowodd - 2-6-2015 at 05:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Isn't this supposed to be the first leg of a paved highway down the West side to Ciudad Insurgentes?


That was the long range plan, but reported to be halted by businesses in Santa Rosalia, Mulege, and Loreto since all traffic going south of those places would stay on the Pacific side of the mountains and avoid thiose towns along with the two big grades, and a hundred extra miles of driving.


That does not surprise me. Saving a bunch of miles and a bunch of time versus businesses on the Sea Of Cortez side, I guess they win. Not that I should complain too much because of so many great hotels and restaurants in those towns.

MMc - 2-6-2015 at 07:08 PM

Yes, they have a place to park your autos, is a locked up place out by rice and beans. I have not checked on the price of the van in two years, check their web site. We drove a Honda van to S. I. and took the van out and back with our camping gear worked great.
Quote: Originally posted by Whale-ista  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
Whale-ista, If some are not comfortable driving out in there own autos out to the lagoon. you can make arrangements in town to take a van out and back, they charge about $100.00 usd for the load. Kuyima can take maybe 10 or so in the van.


Thanks- good suggestion. I'll keep that in mind. I use their campground at lagoon, have not used shuttle service before.

Do you know if they have a safe/secure parking area for cars left in town if people choose to stay overnight at campground, or is for day trips only?

UPDATED ROAD INFORMATION

rufflife - 2-8-2015 at 09:48 AM

The road crew was apparently hired and seems to have begun clearing some of the obstacles from the road to San Ignacio Lagoon.

Mile 9.8 - Pile of dirt that acted as a speed bump has been removed

Mile 10.9 - The REALLY big pile of dirt has also been removed. Please watch for the broken section of pavement that is just beyond where this pile was located.

Whale-ista - 2-8-2015 at 10:32 AM

Thanks!
Quote: Originally posted by rufflife  
The road crew was apparently hired and seems to have begun clearing some of the obstacles from the road to San Ignacio Lagoon.

Mile 9.8 - Pile of dirt that acted as a speed bump has been removed

Mile 10.9 - The REALLY big pile of dirt has also been removed. Please watch for the broken section of pavement that is just beyond where this pile was located.

elgatoloco - 2-8-2015 at 11:31 AM

http://graywhales.blogspot.com/

More whales on the way! :dudette: