BajaNomad

HIghway 5 info

thebajarunner - 3-30-2015 at 10:10 AM

Traveled 5 last week.
There was a small crew doing some "detail" work at the end of the pavement below Gonzaga. They appeared to be just working on curbs, edges, paint, etc.
No evidence that paving will commence any time soon.
The new highway is really smooth, much wider than Hiway 1, and has been well designed.
The interesting thing we noted.....
Dozens of big rigs/semis are using this road, even with the 20+ miles of rocky stuff.
We camped below Coco and spent some time there. In 24 hours there were a couple dozen Los Pinos trucks that crept past, plus numerous other big rigs.
They are going very slowly, but apparently the savings in distance is worth the abuse that they are placing on this equipment- for sure big rigs were not designed for off-road Baja!!
And, Los Pinos has a full time grader with a support crew, working the road to keep it in more passable condition.
This was a real added benefit for us as they were definitely making things better.
We asked one of them why Pinos was going this direction and he said that they have extensive operations down in Vizcaino.
However, two rigs that we led into Chapala turned north on 1, which made us believe that they were taking this route to avoid the strikers and the demonstrations.
Strange to see big rigs going off road!!

David K - 3-30-2015 at 10:13 AM

Thank you for your observation!

rts551 - 3-30-2015 at 10:26 AM

Last report since I went through a couple of weeks ago, said the rocky pass is much worse. how was it for you?

mtgoat666 - 3-30-2015 at 10:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

And, Los Pinos has a full time grader with a support crew, working the road to keep it in more passable condition.
This was a real added benefit for us as they were definitely making things better.


that's nice

:bounce:

thebajarunner - 3-30-2015 at 02:22 PM

"Rocky pass" was rough but very passable.
We had one guy towing an 18 foot boat on a not so sophisticated trailer and he just took it slow and easy and no damage.

I suspect that the grader is more effective on the long straights than up and down the hills.
Graders are not much benefit when the road is as hard and rocky as that one, with so little soft stuff to bring up and overlay on the bumps.

rts551 - 3-30-2015 at 03:21 PM

Thanks. I take it slow anyway. No hurry here.

Von - 3-30-2015 at 04:51 PM

Sounds interesting I think ill take that route this week when I head over to see my amigo Daggett :bounce:

David K - 3-30-2015 at 04:52 PM

They need loads of fill sand over the rocks.

AKgringo - 3-30-2015 at 05:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
They need loads of fill sand over the rocks.


I think that sand would not even last until the next storm, and then would surely wash out. At a very minimum, chip sealing would be a temporary improvement, but that is tough to do in the stretches that are nothing but cobbles and bed rock.
I seriously doubt that much money will be spent on any section that is not going to be part of the final route. Call me selfish, it that suits me fine that Highway 5 is not up to its future traffic potential.

Von - 3-31-2015 at 01:44 PM

was wondering how many military check points are there on this hwy?

after San Felipe. Thanks in advance :)

willardguy - 3-31-2015 at 01:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Von  
was wondering how many military check points are there on this hwy?

after San Felipe. Thanks in advance :)


the only permanent one is the bahia willard one.

if you're asking southbound.

[Edited on 3-31-2015 by willardguy]

David K - 3-31-2015 at 02:28 PM

San Luis Gonzaga, between the roads to Papa Fernandez' and Alfonsina's Resorts.

thebajarunner - 3-31-2015 at 04:15 PM

No checkpoint at Gonzaga last week
Probably afraid that Los Pinos semis would run them over

Also no checkpoints on 1 around Santo Tomas,
just the one on top of the hill at El Rosario

None on the Tecate hiway either
but military guys now policing the border crossing at Tecate, not local police

willardguy - 3-31-2015 at 04:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
No checkpoint at Gonzaga last week
Probably afraid that Los Pinos semis would run them over

Also no checkpoints on 1 around Santo Tomas,
just the one on top of the hill at El Rosario

None on the Tecate hiway either
but military guys now policing the border crossing at Tecate, not local police


excellent!:yes:

norte - 3-31-2015 at 06:10 PM

Probably were referred to the advice of Baja Nomads.

thebajarunner - 3-31-2015 at 06:31 PM

A wise guy driving an Oregon plated camper zoomed down the hill past all of us sitting in the single line on Friday afternoon,
and after a brief discussion with the lads in cammos with guns he zoomed back up the hill, to the collective cheers of many of us patiently awaiting our turn to cross over.

Phil S - 4-1-2015 at 09:06 AM

Are the trucks traveling 5 past Coco's up the really difficult hills, causing any 'worse' conditions to 'that' area, compared to before? I can now see this coming November, traveling behind a freight truck at 4-5 mph for what will seem like FOREVER on the normally slow hills, because there are boo coo trucks ahead. Wife wants to fly for the first time in 25 years, because I won't drive 1 to G.N. anymore, since I discovered 5 some years ago. Andshe didn't like the bouncing around the hillside drives caused.

willardguy - 4-1-2015 at 09:12 AM

thats a real possibility! huge over sized trucks have been using this route to deliver monster size equipment to the santa rosalia mining operation for a couple years now. its all in the luck of the draw I suppose;)

Trucks were very cooperative

thebajarunner - 4-1-2015 at 09:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Phil S  
Are the trucks traveling 5 past Coco's up the really difficult hills, causing any 'worse' conditions to 'that' area, compared to before? I can now see this coming November, traveling behind a freight truck at 4-5 mph for what will seem like FOREVER on the normally slow hills, because there are boo coo trucks ahead. Wife wants to fly for the first time in 25 years, because I won't drive 1 to G.N. anymore, since I discovered 5 some years ago. Andshe didn't like the bouncing around the hillside drives caused.


The big rig drivers we followed were very aware of traffic and made good effort to move over, give the pass blinker, etc.
On some of the steeper hills they were traveling at close to zero, barely moving.
That actually is not as destructive to the uphill sections as a 4x4 running hard and spinning the tires.
Still it cannot be helpful for road conditions, even given the full time effort of the grader- but 24 miles on that road is a very lengthy stretch for a single grader working one daily shift.

rts551 - 4-1-2015 at 10:05 AM

worst part is meeting a semi in that area. lots of places with only room for one vehicle. 4-5 mph in the rocky section is the norm...for most people...at least until the sand is brought in.:lol:

Zola - 4-1-2015 at 02:49 PM

Can the end of hwy 5 be driven at night?

Zola - 4-1-2015 at 02:52 PM

is it possible to drive the end of hwy 5 to hwy 1 at night

willardguy - 4-1-2015 at 03:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Zola  
is it possible to drive the end of hwy 5 to hwy 1 at night


yup! gets real spooky out there though!:o

rts551 - 4-1-2015 at 03:35 PM

unless Los Pinos has fixed them in the last week there are places where the road drops off on the sides and some pretty bad holes in the center (its a mud road bed that the rains have fun with). You would have to go very slow at night.

BajaUtah - 4-1-2015 at 03:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Zola  
is it possible to drive the end of hwy 5 to hwy 1 at night


Anything is possible but if you aren't familiar with it there are a lot of side roads that head off the main track. When it's light the main track is pretty easy to see but when it's dark :no: It's pretty easy to get somewhere you don't want to be.

durrelllrobert - 4-1-2015 at 03:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Last report since I went through a couple of weeks ago, said the rocky pass is much worse. how was it for you?

I haven't driven it but it cant be any worse than this:

Yes!!

thebajarunner - 4-1-2015 at 04:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Zola  
Can the end of hwy 5 be driven at night?


We drove a portion after dark with our boat guy tagging along.
I cannot imagine how you could get lost, it is a well defined road.
As to the mud middles and the big dropoffs.....????
It rained really hard the night before we crossed and it was absolutely dry.
Dropoffs are along every road in Baja, nothing unusual or scary.
And, the road is wide enough that meeting semis should not be a problem.

I think some folks here have seriously over reacted to driving on a non-paved surface... just my observation.

rts551 - 4-1-2015 at 04:35 PM

not big drop offs but portions washed out. Maybe in a Tacoma :biggrin:, you can pass. But with a full size truck there are places on the "cuesta", the grade through the pass where we could not pass and I had to back up to a wide spot. If that is seriously over reacting, so be it.

willardguy - 4-1-2015 at 04:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
not big drop offs but portions washed out. Maybe in a Tacoma :biggrin:, you can pass. But with a full size truck there are places on the "cuesta", the grade through the pass where we could not pass and I had to back up to a wide spot. If that is seriously over reacting, so be it.


A-trac offers safe, secure passing in every situation! just push the button, ease the seat back,crack a coldie and let A-trac do the work! :lol:

David K - 4-1-2015 at 04:48 PM

A-TRAC is a LOW RANGE 4WD traction system, standard on the Off Road TRD Tacoma and other Toyota and Lexus vehicles. It is comparable to the traction obtained with front and rear locking differentials, but without the steering difficulty that comes from locked differentials.

The point is, in Low Range, you are not driving at a passing speed or on any graded road for that matter.

You would be more correct in speaking about TRAC which is the limited slip system and VSC (vehicle stability control) that works in 2WD and 4WD HIGH RANGE (ie. at highway speed).

Tioloco - 4-1-2015 at 07:24 PM

R U guys kidding me? This is getting ridiculous...... Jajajajajajajajajaja!!!!!!!!!

What is difficult from some is easy for others

thebajarunner - 4-1-2015 at 08:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
not big drop offs but portions washed out. Maybe in a Tacoma :biggrin:, you can pass. But with a full size truck there are places on the "cuesta", the grade through the pass where we could not pass and I had to back up to a wide spot. If that is seriously over reacting, so be it.


How do you generalize the road conditions for all types of drivers?
For me, this unpaved portion of 5 is a very easy stretch of road.
I drove much of it in my "full sized" F-150 at 50- 60 mph.
The guys with the boat in our group likely never topped 15 mph and much of the time much slower.
By "Baja Standards" this is a very benign piece of territory IMO.
If you are concerned, just take it easy, it will all work out.

Tioloco - 4-1-2015 at 08:43 PM

Baja runner-
Agreed.

StuckSucks - 4-1-2015 at 08:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

How do you generalize the road conditions for all types of drivers?
For me, this unpaved portion of 5 is a very easy stretch of road.
I drove much of it in my "full sized" F-150 at 50- 60 mph.
The guys with the boat in our group likely never topped 15 mph and much of the time much slower.
By "Baja Standards" this is a very benign piece of territory IMO.
If you are concerned, just take it easy, it will all work out.


Thank you! What you said! Bravo!

rts551 - 4-1-2015 at 08:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
not big drop offs but portions washed out. Maybe in a Tacoma :biggrin:, you can pass. But with a full size truck there are places on the "cuesta", the grade through the pass where we could not pass and I had to back up to a wide spot. If that is seriously over reacting, so be it.


How do you generalize the road conditions for all types of drivers?
For me, this unpaved portion of 5 is a very easy stretch of road.
I drove much of it in my "full sized" F-150 at 50- 60 mph.
The guys with the boat in our group likely never topped 15 mph and much of the time much slower.
By "Baja Standards" this is a very benign piece of territory IMO.
If you are concerned, just take it easy, it will all work out.


Because, maybe you have forgotten, but someone who obviously never driven the road before asked if it was OK at night. If they were as highly qualifyed as you, they would not have even asked...Geeze...speed on. Hopefully not one of the times I am on the road going the other way.

Cliffy - 4-1-2015 at 09:21 PM

I drove in to Gonzaga once from the dry lake through the canyon at night, the middle of the night, back in the early 70s. We did it in an old Jeep Wagoneer. Slow going but no real problems UNTIL-
we met a Military road block in the canyon somewhere (where is lost in the annals of history and memory).
They asked a coupe of questions (my companions were fluent in Spanish) and away we went.

Zola - 4-2-2015 at 11:26 PM

We drove through in the black of night. It was a peaceful, enjoyable ride. We did come across tractor-trailer trucks, which traveled in small convoys and had personal graders as escorts. It is a fun drive if you have a serious off-road vehicle (we have an FJ Cruiser). I think it is not a wise choice for regular 2-wheel drive cars or anyone who has a trailer. There will be too much wear and tear on the vehicle at certain points.

But I give fair warning: Now that I have driven Mexico 5, I have a strong motive for hoping that it remains exactly the way it is :) What you miss are some of the great places to see and surf in BC Norte, but what you gain is not becoming utterly frazzled by making the drive from San Miguel to San Quentin. But you also miss the amazing drive from El Rosario to Catavina, which is a magical stretch of road, along which lies the magical pueblo of El Rosario and the stunning mountain drive to the southeast.

[Edited on 4-3-2015 by Zola]

chuckie - 4-3-2015 at 01:44 AM

As I have said in the past, Hiway? 5 is no worse than most of the Baja back roads. I suspect that the people who find it "bad" havnt spent much time in Baja....Get LOST? HOW? Geezo....

Udo - 4-3-2015 at 01:52 PM

There are two schools of thought for driving the 23 miles of dirt/rock:

15-20 MPH with no or little air-down on the tires
45 MPH+ with about 18 PSI in the tires

My personal philosophy is the second one.

Udo - 4-3-2015 at 05:53 PM

A total of three.

Udo- you hit it squarely on the head

thebajarunner - 4-3-2015 at 06:30 PM

Roads like that one are either 10-15 mph at full tire pressure, or 50+ at reduced pressure.
I have driven that stretch three times also, and way back before any paving several more times.
Most of that road is straight and at 50-60 mph is much smoother and more comfortable than at 15 mph.
Floating the washboard at those speeds removes the bounce from the equation, and I have no more "load" on my accelerator cruising at that speed than someone grinding along in a granny gear, so I do not think that I add to the ripples.
However, driving at those speeds on dirt always means you are "up over the wheel" and really reading and anticipating the road condition. (My truck hates it when we get air from a surprise dip or washout)
My absolutely stock 17 year old F-150 much prefers those speeds than bouncing along with the masses.

Also, earlier comments about only driving that road with a special 4 wheel drive are laughable.
With 25-30 semis running it each day it sort of puts that theory out on the fence, does it not?
Unless you would call an 18 wheeler a "specialized off road vehicle"

Final final comment on that stretch of road....
It is about as benign as an "off road" can be.
If that one gives you concerns you really need to stay on the hard black stuff, cuz that one is as easy and gentle as they come.

rts551 - 4-3-2015 at 06:39 PM

Too many times to count over the last 30 years. Over the last ten years 6-8 times a year depending on my mood. It is 200 miles closer than using Tecate between our 2 homes. I have found the driving slower protects my vehicle more. Found this also from driving the old Abreojos road. For me it is not exploring during a weekend its about having to use the road constantly. But then I am one of those people that you said were "seriously over reacting". I also error on the side of caution when people ask about the road.

BajaRat - 4-3-2015 at 06:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by Zola  
Can the end of hwy 5 be driven at night?


We drove a portion after dark with our boat guy tagging along.
I cannot imagine how you could get lost, it is a well defined road.
As to the mud middles and the big dropoffs.....????
It rained really hard the night before we crossed and it was absolutely dry.
Dropoffs are along every road in Baja, nothing unusual or scary.
And, the road is wide enough that meeting semis should not be a problem.

I think some folks here have seriously over reacted to driving on a non-paved surface... just my observation.




We drove down the night before during that rain. From Gonzaga the view of the mountain range home to the infamous pass was shrouded in clouds with heavy sheets of rain, Beautiful ! One broke down semi with a flecha from San Felipe all ready in route and a single woman waiting for a 15 inch tire replacement. If your running 15"s be aware that used 15"s are getting harder to come by.
We met a guy on a BMW off road tour bike at Rancho Grande prior to crossing the pass and met up with him again the next day in Bahia De Los Angeles and he said he had to stop and camp on the Chapala flat section because mud was filling his front fender to the point of locking up the front tire :o
We pulled a small tin boat this time and even saw a big three axle Airstream making the crossing.
For a section of Baja Hwy this pass is one of our favorites, slow and lovely :cool:

mojo_norte - 4-3-2015 at 06:56 PM

drove it a couple weeks ago Northbound - going slow ..ruined a tire just before Coco's (sharp rock sidewall puncture) lots of roughish sections w/ sharp volcanic rocks .

BajaRat - 4-3-2015 at 07:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mojo_norte  
drove it a couple weeks ago Northbound - going slow ..ruined a tire just before Coco's (sharp rock sidewall puncture) lots of roughish sections w/ sharp volcanic rocks .


Did you air down or.......
You ain't kidding, there are some sharp imbedded landmines awaiting ones discovery :o

CortezBlue - 4-4-2015 at 04:38 PM



Also, earlier comments about only driving that road with a special 4 wheel drive are laughable.
With 25-30 semis running it each day it sort of puts that theory out on the fence, does it not?
Unless you would call an 18 wheeler a "specialized off road vehicle"

Well a Semi is a 4 wheel drive vehicle, right:saint: