BajaNomad

Baja August trip recommendations for a mainlander?

Hook - 5-20-2015 at 07:32 PM

It's been several years since I took a lengthy road trip to Baja. Living where I do in Sonora, the winters are nice and there is lots to do, so we don't move around that much.

But August and September are brutal, as are most areas around the S of C. Sept-Oct is Spain and Italy this year.

I'm thinking about returning to Baja for a large chunk of August; maybe 3 weeks. Wife and dog are coming. We will be in The Beast; the F350 4x4, with a large Lance 1090 camper on the back. DEEP sand can be a problem, but I have been successful airing down to 25-30psi in moderate sand. SRW.

Not interested in sweating it out along the Sea. I plan on enjoying the cool of the Pacific side.

Thinking about hitting Valle de Guadalupe for a few days to start. Havent been since the mid 90s. I'm expecting big changes........and hoping to find some good wines. Recommendations for places to park/boondock/camp welcome, but recommendations on wineries and restaurants are more important. The budget is ample for these niceties.

I'm hoping to do some exploring in the area north of Santa Rosalillita. Never been there. I'll have my surf fishing stuff. How far can this rig go, safely? Recommended camping/fishing areas? Not a surfer, but I guess I could bring my old Morey Boogey Board.

From there, I am thinking of doing some form of the Tortuga/Asuncion/Abreojos loop. I've done the Asun/Abre loop before but never been to Tortuga. Is anything out there worth it or should I just concentrate on the shortened loop?

Time permitting, I am intrigued by La Purisima/San Isidro and the Comondus. Another never-been area. Can I make the route that leaves Hwy 1 south of Bahia Concepcion? If so, what about heading south to the Comondus from east of San Isidro? From there, I guess it is SW to Pozo Grande. Or is it? What is the route like back to Loreto via San Javier?

That's the initial plan. I may take the SR ferry home, but not both ways.

[Edited on 5-21-2015 by Hook]

[Edited on 5-21-2015 by Hook]

woody with a view - 5-20-2015 at 07:36 PM

don't take the road towards Purisima. go around the south for a first timer.

Hook - 5-20-2015 at 07:39 PM

Ok, so you mean leave from Loreto and head W and N to the Comondus and then on N to La Purisima?

woody with a view - 5-20-2015 at 07:42 PM

the east pass(es) are washed out. north is good but not solo first time. go the south route and you'll have no problem. that rig will go most anywhere.

Mula - 5-20-2015 at 07:53 PM

Come see us in Lopez. Live bait fishing. Cool. Pacific.

Gulliver - 5-21-2015 at 05:16 AM

Canada.

Hook - 5-21-2015 at 05:51 AM

Canada is nice that time of year. But I want to get back to Baja.

I did Vancouver, Okanagan, Jasper, Rocky Mtn House about three years ago. Next trip to Canada is probably the east coast.

shari - 5-21-2015 at 06:30 AM

Woo hoo! I look forward to a visit Hook & will share some good fishin holes. Keep in mind our Traditional Fiestas will be Aug.13-16 with lots of fun events but cowded noisy town!

Hook - 5-21-2015 at 06:57 AM

Good to know about the town festivities, Shari. What do they celebrate?

Crowds, for a short time, are no problem.

I did come by your place once about 3-4 years ago. The main blowhole place was undergoing renovations or was just being built, cant remember which. You and Juan were gone but Sirenita was there.

I hired a Whaler and skipper from the guy who is right near the launch ramp. Believe his wife ran the restaurant nearby, too. This was a December. We loaded up on YFT that were only about 2-4 miles from shore; you could see the birds working over them from the ramp.

So, what about Tortuga, Shari? Is there anything out there worth it, or should I just stick to the Asun/Abre loop. I have no burning desire to see Malarrimo or the town, but if there is good beach camping along the route..........u2u, if secrecy is needed.

David K - 5-21-2015 at 06:57 AM

Comondu and Purisima both have paved roads from near Poza Grande (north of Insurgentes). The short cut graded roads all are not reported friendly to large/heavy vehicles/campers. Have fun Hook, but do know the cool Pacific air doesn't go that far inland. Please take lots of photos. :light:

Hook - 5-21-2015 at 07:37 AM

David, what about the road between the Comondus and San Isidro? Can I make this a loop, if I am coming from Poza Grande?

AKgringo - 5-21-2015 at 08:15 AM

Hook, There is a fairly recent (Feb 18) post on the condition of that road. It appears that it is passable only with some serious rock crawling.
As far as the road between San Isidro and hiway one, I drove it in late November and it was pretty slow going but passable in 2wd with anything that you don't mind shaking the hell out of!
I enjoyed it, but don't know if it is better or worse by now.

Hook

bajaguy - 5-21-2015 at 08:22 AM

Check your u2u

Hook - 5-21-2015 at 05:17 PM

HeyBoy, I got that U2U. Great info. If we make it there, we will do our best.......which is always pretty good.

David K - 5-21-2015 at 05:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
David, what about the road between the Comondus and San Isidro? Can I make this a loop, if I am coming from Poza Grande?


From several reports here the past two years, NO. Some new grading south from San Isidro was reported, but the bad area closer to Comondu was last reported VERY rough... Jeep Rubicon/Toyota TRD stuff.

[Edited on 5-22-2015 by David K]

KurtG - 5-21-2015 at 06:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
David, what about the road between the Comondus and San Isidro? Can I make this a loop, if I am coming from Poza Grande?


In March that was a very rough 4wd road, I would not attempt it with a camper. We went about 3/4 of the way through from the south with our Explorer and then we were running out of time so turned back. Lots of low range and I was told by others who had gone through that the descent into Comondu is in even worse shape than recent years.

BajaGeoff - 5-22-2015 at 09:38 AM

Hook...

The folks at http://www.ranchosordomudo.org have an RV park in the Guadalupe Valley. Last I heard I think it was $5 a night to stay there. Luke and Everett are really nice folks and do a lot of great work for deaf kids in Baja. They are located just to the west of Domeq winery....

Martyman - 5-22-2015 at 09:43 AM

If you like Italian style wines...check out Campofiori.

bill erhardt - 5-22-2015 at 10:07 AM

Hook......The pelagics usually show up on the banks outside Mag Bay in August. Last year I caught my first limit of wahoo at Thetis on August 14. If you are in the neighborhood and interested in fishing out of Lopez Mateos, let me know and I'll hook you up with a panguero who fishes outside - there aren't many. Usually I'm all alone for the first month or so. Some company would be nice.

Hook - 5-22-2015 at 10:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Martyman  
If you like Italian style wines...check out Campofiori.


Italian wines are the wines I am most ignorant on. But I gotta learn fast, as I hope to be in Tuscany in late September. Thanks for the tip.

So, I bought a Brunello at Costco this past week. Argiano 2009. Not cheap, of course. I've only had Brunellos at high end tastings, and never bought one.

Hook - 5-22-2015 at 10:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bill erhardt  
Hook......The pelagics usually show up on the banks outside Mag Bay in August. Last year I caught my first limit of wahoo at Thetis on August 14. If you are in the neighborhood and interested in fishing out of Lopez Mateos, let me know and I'll hook you up with a panguero who fishes outside - there aren't many. Usually I'm all alone for the first month or so. Some company would be nice.


If I make it that far down, I am interested in the panga options.

BTW, Bill, still no word on tuna in our area, as per your U2U. But people get tight-lipped about tuna. There is worry that the seiners will find out.

The two tournaments over the next two weeks should tell something.

shari - 5-22-2015 at 02:51 PM

the Traditional Fiestas in Baja are usually held on days like a saint's birthday...if the town is named after a saint like San Ignacio, but Asuncion is named after a virgin and Aug.15th is the day of Ascension that our village was named after. These fiestas usually last 4 days and have dances every night to big bands, live music all day long at the events like the horse races, rodeo, car & moto races, fishing tournament, beach sports, a midway, food booths etc.

the weekend before is when the annual surf competition is held which is a lot of fun too.

So I like to warn people...the party folk love being here for the fiestas...but some want to avoid the crowds and noise and be here when it is nice and quiet.

Here is an album from fiestas here
http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/labufadorainn/library/FIES...

http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/labufadorainn/library/FIES...